Ankle Pain

“According to reports, there are approximately 19.87% Indians who have ankle/foot pain, with the highest prevalence seen among older adults, females, and individuals with lower education levels. Moreover, among athletic populations in India, around 73% experience chronic ankle instability, with a significant portion reporting a history of previous ankle sprains. But due to lack of knowledge, many people go through the pain for a lifetime even when the treatment is very easy and non-interventional in most cases.” – BMC

What is Ankle Pain?

Ankle pain is a pain or sense of discomfort in the ankle. In most cases, minor ankle pain goes away on its own with the RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) method and at-home treatments. However, in some cases, one may need to take over-the-counter medications to manage the pain and discomfort.

In severe cases where ankle pain becomes unbearable or debilitating with time, advanced treatments to overcome the pain. Moreover, your healthcare provider may recommend injectable medication, or surgical procedure to treat the condition.

Symptoms of Ankle Pain

Ankle pain may be milder or very severe depending on the root cause. It is necessary to identify the symptoms early, as the pain can increase gradually over time. This helps to get timely medical help from expert orthopedics. A few of the common ankle pain symptoms are:

Redness or swelling in the vicinity of the ankle joint.
A person cannot walk or stand properly.
Limited flexibility at the ankle.
Stiffness in the ankle joint.
Skin feels sensitive when touched on that area.
Severe or dull ache within the ankle region.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, consult our expert doctors at Axis Clinics now!

What causes pain in the ankles? Ankle Pain Causes

Ankle pain can have several causes. Injuries and chronic disorders may cause joint soreness. These cases vary in acuteness according to one’s pain. Below are a few of the main causes of experiencing pain in the ankle:

Injuries and Trauma

Ankle pain is most frequently caused by ankle injuries. These include:

Sprains: When a person’s ligaments within the ankle are stretched or ruptured, sprains occur.
Fractures: Break or crack in one or two or more of the ankle bones, which usually result from one form of trauma or after a fall.
Strains: Overstretching of a muscle or even a tear at the tendon, leads to strain and swelling.

Arthritis

Another reason for pain in the ankle is arthritis. Most people suffer from it when they get older. Inflammation within the joint can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. One of the most common types of arthritis affecting the ankle joint is:

Osteoarthritis: This type of degenerative joint disease deteriorates the cartilage in the ankle and causes the bones to rub against each other.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: It is one of the auto-immune diseases that induce ankle joint inflammation.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is a medical condition where the tendons of your ankle develop a sensation of inflammation. This mostly occurs due to overuse or an ankle injury. Tendonitis is a very painful and discomfiting condition that also results in limited ankle movement.

Also, tendonitis can be distinguished into two different types. Below we will discuss these types in detail-

Achilles Tendonitis is a painful inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel.
Peroneal Tendonitis is the inflammation of the tendons found on the outside of the ankle.

Bursitis

Bursitis is another common reason for ankle pain. It occurs when the bursa (a fluid-filled sac) of your ankle becomes painfully swollen. It mostly occurs due to recitative motion, sudden impact, or an injury.

Gout

Gout is a common and complex type of arthritis. It occurs when the urate crystals accumulate in your joints such as keens and ankles. This is an extremely painful condition caused by the high levels of uric acid in the body.

Flat Feet

Flat Feet or fallen arches is another common reason for ankle pain. This condition puts excessive strain or stress on the ankle joint and causes a loss of the natural arch. As a result, the ankle region becomes swollen and painful.

What are the risk factors for ankle instability: Risk Factors for Ankle Pain

Ankle pain can occur due to overuse, injury, or other underlying health conditions. However, several factors increase the risk of developing ankle pain. Below we will learn about the common risk factors for ankle pain:

Age- Age is one of the primary risk factors for ankle pain. Like any other body part, the cartilage of your ankle also becomes fragile as you age.
Repetitive motions – Another major risk factor for ankle pain is repetitive motion of the ankle. Therefore, people involved in dancing, sports, gymnastics, etc., which involves repetitive movement of the foot or ankle are more likely to injure their ankle.
Past ankle injury – Having a history of ankle injury also increases your chances of developing ankle pain in the future.
Bad quality footwear – Wearing poor quality footwear also puts you at risk of developing ankle pain. This kind of footwear affects your arch and foot anchor and puts unnecessary stress on the ankle. As a result, you become prone to develop chronic ankle pain.
Being overweight- Being overweight also increases your risk of developing ankle pain. Being overweight puts excessive stress on your foot. This makes you prone to ankle injury or problems.

How do you diagnose ankle problems: Diagnosis of Ankle Pain

If you have ankle pain that persists or recurs again and again irrespective of how much you try to treat it, then visiting an expert for a quick diagnosis will help you treat the condition effectively. Here are some common ways ankle problems can be diagnosed –

Physical examination- The first and basic method of ankle injury or problem diagnosis where the doctor asses the condition of the ankle through physical observation such as amount of swell, redness, intensity of pain, movement limitations, etc.
MRI – It helps to assess soft tissue damage including tendon and ligament injuries.
X-ray – This is mostly used for detecting any fracture or damage to the bones.
CT scan – It is used for complex diagnosis by imaging the bones and soft tissues.
Msk Ultrasound dynamic views give a real time assesment for the ankle injuries.

What is the best treatment for ankle pain? Ankle Pain Treatment

Persistent pain in your ankles can be due to several reasons. It can be due to some injury or swelling of tendons or cartilage around the ankle. So, you can use several ways to treat ankle pain, starting with the RICE method. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Hence, you need to first rest on your ankle and then apply ice on it As it will numb the area of pain. After that, compress the ankle with a bandage and elevate it above your heart. Once done, you must keep repeating the icing step for 20 minutes every three to four hours for at least 4 days.

Other treatment methods include pain medication like paracetamol and ibuprofen, which can give you instant relief. More importantly, remember to wear comfortable shoes with low heels and soft soles. If possible, use soft insoles. Insides, stretching exercises, and Voltaren gel also help reduce pain.

Recovery and Rehabilitation for Ankle Pain

The recovery period or duration mostly depends on the severity of the problem and the type of treatment used to treat the condition. While some ankle pain may get better within a few days or weeks others may take months to recover. Below, we will discuss the details of the recovery and rehabilitation process of different ankle pain cases in a brief –

Mild cases: In mild cases of ankle injury pain such as strain or strain mostly gets better within 1-2 weeks. During this time rest and ice compression is recommended.
Moderate cases: Moderate cases like arthritis or tendonitis take several weeks or months to recover. Physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory drugs mostly help in these cases.
Chronic cases: Chronic cases that are often a result of severe ankle fracture or tendon injury require surgery and at least 6 months of rehabilitation. This recovery duration can be extended based on the complexity of the ankle injury or problem.

Remember, during the rehabilitation process, all measures directed by the physicians help to strengthen your ankle and boost the outcome of your treatment. Execution of a proper rehabilitation process also helps in preventing future complications.

How do you prevent ankles? Ankle Pain Prevention Tips

While you cannot prevent all ankle pain, there is much that can be done to avoid an injury or to live with chronic pain:

Dress appropriately and wear shoes that offer sufficient support.
Warm up before physical activities or exercises.
Avoid overuse by taking breaks during repetitive activities.
Maintain an optimal weight to reduce strain on the ankle joint.
Exercise to maintain the balance and strength of the ankle.
Avoid walking on or running over unsuitable surfaces that can cause sprains or strains.

When to See a Doctor for Ankle Pain?

If you experience any of the following, it is important to seek medical attention right away.

For pain that gets worse or persists even when resting.
Sudden, severe swelling or bruising.
The ankle cannot bear the weight.
Deformity and/or noticeable difference in ankle shape.
Signs of infection around the ankle, such as redness and heat.

These are some of the important reasons to consult a doctor if any of these occur.

Conclusion

Ankle pain can be weakening, yet knowing the causes and early treatment are the most effective ways to manage it. Look for professional care at Axis Clinics for personalized treatment plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What might cause sudden ankle pain?

Sudden pain in the ankle might be caused by an injury to such structures as a sprain, fracture, or tendinitis; or by some underlying condition, like gout or arthritis.

Could ankle pain indicate a severe health issue?

Ankle pain can be mild or severe. If it doesn't go away and is accompanied by swelling, bruising, or difficulty moving, it is always best to consult a doctor.

Can flat feet cause ankle pain?

Certainly, having flat feet can cause additional strain on the ankle joint, which may result in pain and discomfort.