Causes Of Pain In Ankle

At What Age Does Arthritis Usually Start

Arthritis is a common condition that can affect the body. The condition can develop over time or be diagnosed at an early age. Common symptoms are morning stiffness, fatigue, and tingling and numbness in the joints. Most adults are diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 50. It can affect people of any age, so its important to consult a doctor as soon as you notice any symptoms.

Arthritis affects the joints, causing inflammation and degeneration. These changes can cause pain when using the joint. Arthritis is caused by damage to the soft tissues that surround the joints. These tissues protect bones from rubbing against each other, and are also supported by synovial membranes and ligaments.

While the symptoms of arthritis can be disabling, most people do not have major mobility issues. With appropriate treatment, you can minimize the damage to your joints and stay positive and active. Arthritis can also lead to fatigue and a decrease in appetite.

What Is Ankle Pain A Symptom Of

The ankle joint, just like many other joints within the body, is made up of several structures. This includes bones, ligaments, tendons and neurovascular structures to name a few. All of which are at risk of injury or several types of arthritis.

Common injuries include stress fractures and osteoarthritis which affect the bony structures. The most notorious are ligament sprains such as injury to the lateral ligaments during a rolling of the ankle incident. Soft tissue structures such as the plantar fascia and the achilles tendon tend to be vulnerable to load mismanagement which can either result in inflammation or in rarer cases, a painful tear.

Check out this useful article by Mascaro and colleagues on common tendon overuse injuries and rehab progressions. Ensure advice is guided by a trained professional before implementing any of the rehabilitation strategies.

Causes & Common Triggers Of Ankle Pain

The human body is prone to different health conditions due to the many complex processes that make life possible. In addition, the human body goes through so many other processes that its not easy to keep track of even a fraction â which is why many end up neglecting specific parts of their body. With neglect comes a buildup of potential issues, such as bacteria, fungus, and more. It can lead to all sorts of symptoms, one of the most common being the symptom of pain. When something is painful, its your bodys way of telling you something is wrong. Learning how to make the most out of the situation is about understanding why you feel specific aches and pains and what you can do to take charge and avoid such pain in the future.

This list is all about the various conditions that can cause pain in the ankle. The ankle is a durable part of the body as its meant to help you stay upright while you stand and walk around. Here are some of the most common causes of ankle pain and what you can potentially do to avoid experiencing ankle pain in the future.

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Other Severe Ankle Pain Causes

Other conditions can eventually lead to severe ankle pain.

• Ankle impingement: This involves a bony growth at the front of the ankle bone where it meets the shinbone. It restricts the ankle’s range of motion and causes pain.
• Metabolic disorders: This may involve a buildup of mineral crystals within the joints, often in the big toe or the ankle. This causes intense pain and some swelling. The buildup may be caused by either uric acid crystals in people with gout or calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals in those with pseudogout.

What Is The Fastest Way To Relieve Ankle Pain

There are numerous ways to quickly relieve ankle pain. The most common ways that have shown improvement in relieving ankle pain are taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and following the RICE principles rest, ice, compression and elevation .

Additionally, gentle movement of the ankle has also shown benefits for reducing ankle pain.

Depending on the severity of the injury, seeing a healthcare professional might be necessary for further treatment. Seeing your local physiotherapist for your condition can be a great way to get it assessed, treated and reduce your pain.

For severe injuries such as fractures or avulsions braces and crutches might be required to reduce stress on the joint and prevent the worsening of the condition.

However, for the majority of ankle sprains or injuries, physiotherapy manual techniques such as gentle soft tissue massage, joint mobilizations and traction have been shown to reduce pain and improve movement .

An exercise & stretching program provided by a physio can also help improve movement, function and pain .

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Can Ankle Pain Cause Problems Anywhere Else

You may feel some pain in the muscles around your calf and foot. This should improve as your ankle problem gets better.

Ankle problems can also cause limping. If the limp is severe, using a walking stick on the opposite side to your ankle problem may help.

There are a number of things you can do to help your ankle problem.

Keeping your ankle moving is an essential part of your treatment and recovery.

How Is A Sprained Ankle Treated

For the majority of ankle sprains, healthcare providers recommend using the PRICE method for the first 24-48 hours after injury. PRICE stands for protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation.

• Protection. Use crutches or apply a splint or brace to limit use of your injured ankle.
• Rest. Limit physical activities that may cause stress to the sprain .
• Ice. Apply ice or a cold pack in a towel to your ankle in 20-minute increments to reduce swelling.
• Compression. Gently wrap your ankle in an elastic bandage to help decrease swelling.
• Elevation. Raise your ankle on pillows while youre sitting or lying down so that it’s higher than your heart.

If your sprain is very painful and swollen or you’re having trouble walking and putting pressure on your ankle, visit your healthcare provider for treatment.

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Anatomy Along The Outside Of The Ankle

There are a number of structures along the outside of the ankle that could become damaged and cause pain. First, the tendons. The outside of the ankle houses the peroneus brevis tendon and the and peroneus longus tendon. These small but critical tendons can become degenerated or torn, either of which can cause pain. Next we have the nerves. Nerves that start in the lower back and branch all the way down the leg and into the ankle and foot also supply this area, and an irritated nerve all the way up in the back can actually present as pain in the ankle, or anywhere else along the nerve branch.

Finally, we also have to look at the ligaments. The outside of the ankle houses the tibiofibular ligament, lateral ligament, and others, which are small but strong, and their primary job is to stabilize the ankle. These ligaments can become lax, or loose, and can also experience small tears, either of which can lead to outside ankle pain. Today, its these ligaments we want to focus on.

Caring For Ankle Pain At Home

For immediate at-home treatment of ankle pain, the RICE method is recommended. This includes:

• Rest. Avoid putting weight on your ankle. Try to move as little as possible for the first few days. Use crutches or a cane if you have to walk or move.
• Ice. Begin by putting a bag of ice on your ankle for at least 20 minutes at a time, with 90 minutes between icing sessions. Do this three to five times a day for 3 days after the injury. This helps reduce swelling and numb pain.
• Compression. Wrap your injured ankle with an elastic bandage, like an ACE bandage. Dont wrap it so tightly that your ankle becomes numb or that your toes turn blue.
• Elevation. Whenever possible, keep your ankle raised above heart level on a stack of pillows or other type of support structure.

You can take over-the-counter drugs, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to relieve pain and swelling. Once your pain subsides, gently exercise your ankle by rotating it in circles. Rotate in both directions, and stop if it begins to hurt.

You can also use your hands to gently flex the ankle up and down. These exercises will return your range of motion, help reduce swelling, and speed up the recovery process.

If your ankle pain is a result of arthritis, you wont be able to completely heal the injury. However, there are ways you can manage it. It may help to:

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When To Contact Your Gp

Talk to your GP if:

• the pain is severe or stopping you from doing normal activities
• the pain is getting worse or keeps coming back
• the pain has not improved after treating it at home for 2 weeks
• you have any tingling or loss of sensation in your foot
• you have diabetes foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes

Ankle Pain Natural Treatment

Arnica oil is very suitable for ankle pain.

This perennial herb has the ability to reduce inflammation that causes pain.

It also helps to neutralize the swelling of the area.

Arnica is the recommended herb for sprained ankles.

Silica is well known for its positive action on joint mobility.

It also has recognized anti-inflammatory properties that will help you reduce pain.

Available in tablet or liquid form, I recommend liquid organic silica for better absorption.

Green clay is a very powerful natural remedy.

Its application as a poultice brings immediate relief because the clay has anti-inflammatory properties.

As effective as an application of ice, the clay poultice benefits from prolonged duration of action.

Apply a layer of french green clay to your ankle, cover with plastic wrap and leave the poultice to work for at least 30 minutes and your pain will lessen .

Pure aloe vera is very indicated in the treatment of many pains.

As part of ankle damage, its anti-inflammatory effects can significantly reduce throbbing.

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Common Causes Of Ankle Pain

If you are experiencing ankle pain, there is a good chance it may be due to one of these common causes.

Sprains

An ankle sprain is an injury of one or more ligaments . Ankle sprains may happen from stepping off a curb, walking on an uneven surface, falling, or playing a sport like tennis or basketball where a rapid change in direction causes the ankle to roll or twist inward.

Most commonly, ankle sprains happen in the anterior talofibular ligament , which is on the outside of the ankle. Symptoms include throbbing pain on the outside of the ankle, along with swelling, bruising, and/or a feeling that the joint may give out.

Medial sprains, involving the ligaments on the inside of the ankle, occur much less frequently. Medial ankle sprains cause throbbing pain on the inside of the ankle and result from the ankle rolling outward.

High ankle sprains are also unusual. They cause pain above the ankle, where ligaments connect the two lower leg bones. They are most common in people who play impact sports like hockey or football.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis occurs when the tendons, which attach muscle to bone, become irritated and inflamed. There are three types of tendonitis that can happen in the ankle: peroneal tedonitis, posterior tibial tendonitis, and Achilles tendonitis.

Peroneal tendonitis is inflammation of the peroneal longus or peroneal brevis tendons. These two tendons run along the outside of the ankle joint.

Arthritis

Bone Breaks

Bone Bruises

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What Are The Symptoms Of Adult Acquired Flatfeet

Symptoms of adult acquired flatfoot vary depending on the cause of the condition.

If the flatfoot is caused by posterior tibial tendon dysfunction , the person may feel pain along the back of the calf to inside the foot where the tendon runs. There may also be swelling around the ankle.

Pain while walking or standing can also be a symptom of adult acquired flatfoot. It may be worse after vigorous exercise, such as running or power walking.

Ankle pain may also be a symptom of flatfoot, as the collapsed arch causes more pressure to be on the ankle bone.

Bony bumps on the top or inside of the foot can also be a symptom of adult acquired flatfoot.

Adults with diabetes who have acquired flatfoot may not be aware of the normal symptoms of pain due to limited sensation in the feet. The first symptom noticed may be a swelling of the feet or a skin sore that will not heal on the foot.

If you have any of the symptoms of adult acquired flatfoot, you should see a doctor, especially if you have complications of diabetes.

What Causes Pain On Top Of The Foot

There are actually quite a few conditions that can contribute to experiencing pain on the top of your foot. Usually, this type of pain is associated with overuse of the feet during physical activities. Some examples of these types of activities include kicking, running, and jumping. Here are some of the conditions that can cause a person to experience pain on the top of their foot:

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures are essentially tiny cracks in the bone. These types of fractures occur from overuse and repetitive force, so people who engage in sports where they must run long distances or continuously jump are more likely to suffer from them. The metatarsal bones, which are located at the top of the feet, are particularly prone to stress fractures. A symptom of this type of fracture is usually swelling.

Extensor Tendonitis

This condition occurs when your extensor tendons become inflamed. Like stress fractures, extensor tendonitis tends to be caused by overuse and repetitive motions. These motions build up irritation over time, which is why this injury occurs mostly in athletes or people who do physical labor for work.

Sinus Tarsi Syndrome

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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

Other Causes Of Foot Pain

Pain in the foot can be a consequence of damage, pressure or rubbing over a long period of time.

Wearing badly fitting shoes, pregnancy, injury, or putting too much strain through specific parts of your foot can all cause changes in the shape of your feet. Often, these changes are painful and can affect your ability to do things.

Sometimes, its our choice of shoes that has the biggest impact on the structure of our feet and the problems we develop, such as:

Corns

Corns are raised areas of hard, knobbly skin which develop where calluses have been left untreated. They often cause a burning sensation. A corn is a permanent change to your foot which will need care and management to stop it becoming too painful. You can manage corns by gently filing or pumicing them each week. You should never cut the skin with a blade.

Corns and calluses will usually grow back within four to six weeks unless you reduce the pressure on the area. Wearing softer, roomier footwear and placing a cushioned pad over the corn or callus can help.

Neuroma

A neuroma causes sudden shooting, stabbing, or burning pain. Most commonly it affects the third and fourth toes and the ball of your foot. It can feel like there is a small stone under your foot and your toes may become numb or tingly. It is caused by a damaged or irritated nerve and often becomes more painful over time. It is also known as Mortons neuroma and can be made worse by:

Bunions

Clawed, mallet, retracted and hammer toes

Sores

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Reasons Why You Should Never Ignore Ankle Pain

Most of us consider aches and pains a normal part of daily life. Don’t get us wrong, some aches are in fact normal. But others can be indicative of a severe health problem.

Don’t ignore sharp or dull ankle pain. Instead, visit Town Center Foot & Ankle. Dr. Stephen Eichelsdorfer will determine if your ankle pain is serious and help treat you.