The ankle is the most weight-bearing part of the body which supports your spine and helps you stand, move, and balance. Ankle pain refers to any kind of discomfort and pain that affects the ankle. The ankle is a complex joint prone to injury as it is formed of the complex structures of ligaments, tendons, and muscles which let the ankle and foot move together.
Ankle pain is very common and can result from injuries or medical conditions such as:
Infection: There are many infections that can cause pain and swell in the ankle.
Fracture: Our body has 206 bones that are capable of breaking due to pressure or impact. Depending on the position and location, ankle fractures can be mild or severe and require casting, rod, screws, or splints for regrowth and fixing.
Sprains: A sprain is a condition when the joint is intact but the ligaments holding the bones together is stretched in the wrong way or gets torn.
Flatfoot: Flatfoot is when children and adults have a flat sole that completely touches the floor when walking. This means that the arch of the foot is very low or not present at all. This causes pain and swelling of the ankles and feet while walking and running.
Arthritis: Arthritis comes in light when the cartilage between the joints breaks down and causes the bones to rub together and get chipped or frayed due to the constant friction, wear, and tear. It is common in people over 65 and there are several types of arthritis, most common ones being rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, etc.
Tendonitis: Swollen and irritated tendons can tear and loosen the connection of the muscles with the bones. Most tendon tears and tendon swelling goes away with elevation and bandaging.
Like all other body aches, ankle pain does also get better with:
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation
Over-the-counter pain medication
Supportive Footwear
So, getting help from a specialist doctor is the way to go forward, if you have persistent debilitating pain and/or discomfort. A physiotherapist can also help get your mobility back.
