Why Do My Ankles Hurt After Sleeping
Ankle pain is a common problem, and it can be caused by many things. Typically, you can treat it yourself, but if it persists, you should see a doctor. You can use physical therapy to help ease the pain. In some cases, your pain can be caused by a sprain.
Getting plenty of rest can reduce your pain. If you sleep on your side, you might want to consider using a small pillow between your ankles. This will provide extra cushioning and improve spinal posture. It is also a good idea to exercise regularly, as this will help release endorphins, the bodys natural pain killers.
If the pain persists in the morning, you may want to seek physical therapy. A physical therapist can help improve the range of motion in your ankle and make it easier to move it. A physical therapist can also help strengthen the soft tissues surrounding your ankle joints.
Medial Ankle Stress Fractures
A stress fracture is a small crack within a bone. Stress fractures that cause inner ankle pain are often located in the medial mallelos, the knob of bone on the inside of your ankle. Stress fractures are generally overuse injuries. They occur gradually when consistently repeated forces cause microscopic damage to a bone.
Our skeletal structure is constantly replacing itself. New bone develops and replaces older bone. But sudden trauma or constant and long-term overuse can overwhelm the bodys ability to repair and replace bone. The result? Stress fractures. Stress fractures can also result from bone defects, such as osteoporosis.
The symptoms of medial ankle stress fractures include pain that subsides during rest, swelling on the inner ankle, and visible bruising. For immediate treatment, the RICE acronym applies here as well. Rest your ankle, ice it, compress it, and elevate it until you can see your podiatrist.
Treatment of medial ankle stress fractures begins, and sometimes ends, with resting the affected ankle. To reduce or eliminate weight-bearing, crutches or a walking boot for stress fractures may be temporarily necessary. Surgical intervention to stabilize the affected bones is sometimes required.
Is Foot Pain A Symptom Of Diabetes
If you have diabetes, you may be experiencing foot pain. This condition can occur for a variety of reasons, and you should consult a medical professional to determine the cause. In the worst cases, this condition can cause foot amputation. Diabetes can also cause the bones in the foot to deteriorate. This can lead to ulcers and gangrene. Regardless of the cause, it is crucial to get treated as soon as possible.
The good news is that diabetes treatment has come a long way. By taking good care of your diabetes, you can reduce your risk of experiencing foot pain. In addition, proper treatment of diabetes can also improve your overall health. High blood sugar damages the linings of the blood vessels in the feet, which can reduce the blood flow. Poor blood circulation can result in nerve damage and foot pain.
Diabetics need to take proper care of their blood glucose levels to avoid infection. If they have foot ulcers, doctors may perform surgery. During the healing process, the area will be filled with scar tissue. Afterwards, special shoes may be required to protect the healing area and prevent the ulcer from recurring.
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What Is Ankle Pain
Bursitis In The Foot Or Ankle

Bursitis causes pain and inflammation, commonly around hard-working joints such as in the big toe, ball of the foot, heel, or ankle. It can also affect any part of the body.
It is caused by swelling in a small pocket of fluid, known as a bursa, or bursae if more than one is affected. Normally these small pouches cushion and protect your bones, joints, and tendons from impact, rubbing or pressure.
However, repeated rubbing, friction, excessive pressure, or injury can cause the fluid inside to increase making the affected bursa inflamed and tender.
For example, you can get bursitis between your ankle and heel if you keep wearing shoes that rub, pinch, or press down on the area. Shoes that are too tight and high heels regularly cause bursitis.
It often appears as a red, painful, swollen lump. However, it can also cause general swelling that you only notice because of the pain, for instance on the bottom of your heel.
People with bunions or irritated joints can be prone to bursitis. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause bursitis, particularly in the ball of the foot.
The self-care tips recommended earlier should help relieve your pain and inflammation. However, instead of bandaging the area, try using adhesive padding on the swelling to protect it from further friction and pressure. Resting it on a cushion can also help.
If you find self-care treatments are not helping speak to a healthcare professional.
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Can Sore Feet Make You Tired
Not only do sore feet and heel pain put extra stress on your body which can contribute to fatigue, but in many cases, the causes of your sore feet can also overwork the muscles and cause fatigue and aches. If you are experiencing fatigue as a symptom of foot or heel pain, contact your podiatrist to discuss solutions.
Medical Ankle Pain Causes
Medical conditions or other illnesses may result in ankle pain, such as the following.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: This chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease of the joints commonly affects the ankle. The immune system attacks the synovium, which acts as a protective membrane lining the joints. This causes severe inflammation and pain.
- Gout: An increased uric acid level in the body will cause a deposition of crystals in the joint. This is very painful.
- Infection: Bacterial joint inflammation is a serious condition and causes severe pain in the ankle joint. This is often referred to as septic arthritis. Bacteria gets into the joint and causes severe cartilage destruction and bone damage. If not treated, it can lead to septic shock.
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Why Am I Waking Up With A Sore Ankle
Stiff ankles are among the most common joints that experience recurring pain in the morning. The root cause of stiffness is usually arthritis, tendonitis, an ankle sprain, or an injury. Overuse is another common factor that can lead to issues, especially after long periods of exercise or strenuous activity.
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Symptoms From A Tear In The Plantar Fascia
Injury to the plantar fascia is usually accompanied by pain on the underside of the heel, which will increase with weight-bearing.
Some people also find that their feet become tired easily due to over-exertion of tendons and muscles that attach to this area. In more severe cases, a person may experience a clicking sensation every time they take a step.
This may indicate a rupture in one of these tendons.
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Heel And Achilles Tendon Stretch
- When out for a walk, find a wall to lean against. Even a tree will do.
- Stand an arms length from the wall.
- Place the leg to be stretched about 12-18 inches behind you.
- Keep your toes pointed forward and slightly inward.
- Bend your arms and gradually lean towards the wall.
- Make sure your leg is straight and the heel of your back leg is pressed to the floor.
- Feel the stretch in the calf and heel of the back leg.
- Hold this position for 30 seconds and return to starting position.
- Repeat three times for each leg.
Is There A Treatment For Aching Feet In The Morning
Most people afflicted with plantar fascia can improve their condition with conservative methods. Before you get out of bed in the morning, try massaging your foot and stretch the plantar fascia. You can roll your foot over a golf ball or massage it with your hand.
Icing the painful area is also helpful. Medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen will ease the pain and inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis.
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At What Age Does Arthritis Usually Start
Most people think that arthritis is a disease for old people, but that is not necessarily true. The average age at which someone is diagnosed with arthritis is between thirty and fifty. The disease tends to progress slowly over months or years, and the symptoms do not manifest themselves right away. Some forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, develop after the age of fifty.
There are several ways to manage the condition and treat symptoms. One option is to talk to your GP. Your GP will be able to tell you if you have arthritis and recommend treatment options. They will also be able to refer you to a specialist if you are experiencing serious symptoms. Your doctor can also recommend a physiotherapist who will help you learn exercises and help you maintain your range of motion.
One of the most common types of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which affects the cartilage lining of joints. It causes pain and stiffness and changes the shape of the joints. The lining may also become thin and rough, causing swelling and bone spurs. In severe cases, the bones will rub against each other, causing the joint to become deformed and unable to move freely.
Ankle Pain In Morning On Wake Up I Do

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Why Your Feet Hurt More In The Morning
Its definitely aggravating to wake up and know that your feet will hurt as soon as you step down on them. Your feet hurt more in the morning because its a return of pressure and stress being placed on them. After being off of your feet all night, your feet usually arent experiencing any pain. When you wake up, all the pain and pressure comes back.
What To Do If Youre Waking Up With Stiff Ankles In The Morning
Stiff ankles in the morning can make it difficult to do nearly any everyday task. From walking to the shower, to making breakfast, if you know youre going to be dealing with ankle stiffness, you may not even want to get out of bed.
Stiffness in both of your ankles means its more likely that the underlying cause is a natural, age-related condition such as arthritis, but it could also be related to a repetitive motion injury or other causes. Thats why the first thing you should do if youre regularly waking up with stiff ankles in the morning is see a qualified medical professional. Getting the proper treatment for your symptoms means getting an accurate diagnosis.
In almost any event, physical therapy is a highly effective form of treatment for ankle issues, including aches, pains and stiffness.
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Ankle Sprain Or Strain
Sprains and strains are both types of soft tissue damage. Both can cause significant pain and discomfort, depending on severity.
A sprain is an overstretching or tearing of a ligament, which is a band of tough tissue that joins bones together. Sprains can range from partial to complete.
A strain is an injury to the muscle or tendon. Tendons are tough cords that attach muscle to bone. Strains can range from a small overstretch to a complete tear.
The ankles are a common area for sprains and strains, as they are a complex joint that endures a lot of daily movement.
Symptoms of an ankle sprain or strain include:
- a popping or snapping sound
- instability of the ankle joint
Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs due to a buildup of uric acid crystals in the body. Gout commonly affects the foot and ankle, especially a persons big toe.
Symptoms of gout include:
- pain that is usually worse at night or immediately after waking up
- swelling around the ankle
- warmth over the ankle joint
People with a family history of gout are more likely to have the condition. Other conditions that increase the risk of gout include diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. Taking medicines such as diuretics or niacin can also increase the risk.
A previous cut, trauma, or surgery can allow bacteria to enter the skin or joint around the ankle and cause an infection.
Symptoms of an ankle infection include:
- fatigue and feeling generally unwell
- trouble walking or bending the ankle
Chronic Lateral Ankle Pain
There are many possible causes for ongoing pain on the outside of your ankle. Itâs most likely because a ligament didnât heal properly after a sprain and remains weak. This makes the entire joint less stable and leads to more injury and pain. Treatment depends on the cause. It will likely involve rest and special exercises to strengthen weak tissues.
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Why Do My Ankles Hurt When I First Wake Up
If you find that your ankles are aching every morning, it might be a sign of an injury or sprain. In either case, you should see your doctor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. A physical therapist can help you strengthen your ankle and prevent future pain.
Sometimes ankle pain is an indication of osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition where cartilage between two bones gradually wears away, making the bones rub together. Osteoarthritis can result in aching ankle joints, especially when you wake up in the morning.
Physical therapy can provide relief from morning ankle stiffness and improve your overall functioning. Physical therapy typically begins with a comprehensive baseline evaluation that includes movement tests and posture checks. Therapists then perform therapeutic exercises that can improve the soft tissue surrounding the ankle joint. Physical therapy will also improve your range of motion and decrease your morning ankle pain.
Ankle Pain After Waking Up
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When To Seek Professional Help
If your pain doesnt decrease within a few weeks with home remedies and youre worried that youre developing plantar fasciitis, contact Paspa Physical Therapy located in Manhattan, NY for a consultation.
The therapists will likely perform a detailed evaluation and implement a treatment program, including manual techniques, education, stretching, and strengthening exercises.
They will work with you throughout your treatment plan and make sure you are making progress. They can also modify your program if they determine that you need it.
Every day you delay is one more day of pain when you could get started healing and strengthening your foot. While it may take time and commitment to recover, the right therapy can speed recovery and help prevent reinjury.
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Does Plantar Fasciitis Cause Aching Feet In The Morning

The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue along the bottom of the foot which lends support to the arch of the foot. Think of it as a shock-absorbing bowstring, pulled tight beneath the arch of your foot.
If too much tension and stress are placed on this bowstring, it can tear. Repetitive stretching and tearing in the fascia causes inflammation and irritation, which results in the pain you feel in the bottoms of your feet when you wake up in the morning.
With plantar fasciitis, the pain will be localized in the heel area, or in the arch of the foot. Early in the course of the injury, the pain will only present when you place weight on the plantar fascia after a period of rest. As the injury progresses and worsens, the pain will persist even after youve been up and about for several hours.
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When Ankle Pain May Mean Arthritis
Many forms of arthritis and related conditions can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the ankles.
If you are experiencing pain, swelling and stiffness in the ankles, you may have one of the following types of arthritis or related conditions.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Also known as wear and tear arthritis, OA is a chronic condition caused by the breakdown of the cartilage, which cushions the ends of the bones where they meet to form joints. This breakdown causes the bones to rub together, causing stiffness, pain and loss of joint movement. In ankle OA, its common to have joint pain where the ankle and shinbone meet.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when the bodys immune system which normally protects us from infection mistakenly attacks joints. The result can be pain, swelling, inflammation and loss of function. In about 90 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis, the joints of the feet and ankles are often affected. RA usually affects the same joint on both sides of the body .
Gout
Reactive Arthritis
Reactive arthritis is a form of arthritis that often occurs following an infection of the genital, urinary or gastrointestinal system. The knees, ankles and joints of the feet are often the first to be affected. Reactive arthritis can also cause inflammation of the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle.
Lupus
Psoriatic Arthritis
Juvenile Arthritis
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