How Can Physical Therapists Help If You Have Sharp Pain In Your Ankle But No Swelling
We rely on our feet to get us around throughout the day, and our feet depend on our ankles for unimpeded mobility. If your ankles hurt, it can make walking uncomfortable and even difficult. If you havent injured your ankle, then you probably want to know what could be behind your ankle pain. There are a few common conditions that can cause a sharp pain in the ankle but no swelling.
Are you curious how a physical therapist could help if you experience a sharp pain in your ankle but no swelling? If youre wondering how to relieve your ankle pain, its important to get checked out by a professional so that you can get the appropriate treatment.
Rare Causes Of Ankle Pain
While your healthcare provider will consider the following potential causes for ankle pain, they are not common.
Gout
Gout, a type of inflammatory arthritis, develops as a result of uric acid crystal formation within one or more joints. Since gout is an uncommon cause of ankle pain, it will be primarily considered in people who have already been diagnosed with gout.
Bone Infection
An infection in the bone may rarely occur in the ankle. Besides a tender ankle joint, other signs of an infected bone include warmth and swelling.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Tarsal tunnel syndrome refers to compression of the tibial nerve within the “tarsal tunnel” of the ankle . This syndrome may cause an aching or burning pain and numb or tingling sensations on the sole of the foot, toes, and sometimes, the heel, ankle, or calf.
Peroneal Neuropathy
The common peroneal nerve runs down the lower leg and branches into both the deep peroneal nerve and the superficial peroneal nerve. If this nerve is compressed, it can cause symptoms that vary depending on where the compression happens.
For instance, compression on the outside of the knee and upper shin, which can occur from prolonged recumbency during hospitalization or from an excessive crossing of the legs, may cause a foot drop.
Deep peroneal nerve compression causes pain on the sides of the ankle along with burning or tingling sensations between the toes. This is a rare condition that can result from wearing a tight-fitting strap from a shoe.
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Do You Have Ankle Pain When Walking But Theres No Swelling
Swelling is such a common symptom associated with ankle pain that its surprising if your ankle hurts but there is no swelling present. If youre dealing with ankle pain when walking but there is no swelling present, it can be easy to wonder what the cause is and if the injury is serious. Ankle pain is extremely common and is most often related to injuries related to physical activity, but there can be a number of other causes.
In many cases, less severe instances of ankle pain can be successfully treated with basic PRICE therapy or protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation. For pain that persists, even if swelling does not develop, it is highly recommended to see a qualified medical professional, such as your primary care doctor.
Upon diagnosis of many types of ankle pain, patients are commonly recommended to undergo physical therapy. To help you understand the benefits that physical therapy can provide, were offering the following helpful guide.
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Three Reasons You Might Have Wrist Pain With No Swelling
The wrist is one of the most used joints in the body. It allows us to turn doorknobs, type and bend our hands in many directions. However, most people dont pay much attention to this vital joint until it starts to hurt.
In some cases, wrist pain can occur without swelling, and physical therapists can help you determine why youre feeling pain in this joint. In many cases, your symptoms could be the result of one of three common causes.
How Will My Provider Determine The Cause Of Ankle Pain
Your provider will examine your ankle and foot. Providers check for swelling, pain and bruising. Testing depends on the location of the pain and whether youve recently had an injury. Your provider may order an imaging test such as an X-ray, CT or MRI scan. These tests create images of bones and soft tissues so your provider can check for damage.
If your provider thinks you have an infection, you may need a biopsy. Your provider removes a sample of tissue and sends it to a lab to check for bacteria.
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What Is Ankle Pain
Ankle pain refers to any kind of pain or discomfort affecting any part of the ankle. Ankle pain can happen for many reasons. The most common causes include injury, arthritis and normal wear and tear. Depending on the cause, you may feel pain or stiffness anywhere around the ankle. Your ankle may also swell, and you may not be able to put any weight on it.
Usually, ankle pain gets better with rest, ice and over-the-counter pain medications. Healthcare providers can treat injuries and arthritis. Often times, conditions can be treated without surgery. However if the injury is severe, such as a broken ankle bone, or when your ankle pain fails to improve with nonsurgical treatment, surgery is needed. If youve had an ankle injury or surgery, a physical therapy plan can also help you heal. PT strengthens the muscles that support your feet and ankles. The therapy can relieve pain and prevent future injuries.
Ankle Pain In The Absence Of Swelling
Though ankle pain is often associated with swelling of the surrounding tissues, there have been instances in which an ankle injury does not inflame the tissues. This form of injury is usually not a cause of worry, as it may not interfere with our day-to-day activities. In such cases, where in there is ankle pain without swelling, the stability of the joint may be slightly hampered. However, tearing of any ligament or muscle is unlikely, if swelling is not observed.
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Continuum Wellness Offers Treatment For Ankle Pain Even If Theres No Swelling
Dealing with ankle pain but no visible swelling? Our team of physical therapists at Continuum Wellness can help you find effective treatment for your pain. We can pinpoint the source of your pain during a free screening of your ankle. Next, our specialists can create a personalized therapy plan for you thats intended to:
- Increase your ability to walk.
- Reduce your risk of future ankle problems.
Youll also be able to get our help without leaving your home thanks to our at-home care and virtual therapy services.
Contact our team today for more information about how we can treat your ankle pain or to schedule an initial appointment.
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Irregular Arch Of The Foot
Flat feet, in which the arch of the foot has a lack of curvature, and cavus feet, in which the arch of the foot has an exaggerated curvature, can change the way you walk. Often, this puts strain on other areas of the foot to compensate for the irregular arch. It is common for the ankles to start feeling this strain and for you to feel pains and aches. When you speak with a podiatrist, they can recommend shoes, inserts for shoes, or custom orthotics that will provide the support you need for the irregular arch.
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Two Causes Of Sudden Ankle Pain Without An Injury
When you suddenly feel ankle pain, you may believe that youve injured your ankle in some way. However, there are actually several issues that can cause sudden ankle pain without any injury at all. Physical therapy can often be used to treat injuries and other issues that cause ankle pain. In fact, there are two sources of this type of ankle pain that a physical therapist can help you treat.
Issues That Commonly Cause Ankle Pain But No Swelling
Swelling is a common symptom when soft tissue is injured. But your ankle contains more than just muscles, ligaments and other soft tissue. Thats why certain ankle problems can trigger ankle pain but no swelling. Additionally, minor soft tissue injuries are less likely to cause noticeable swelling. Some of the issues that can lead to ankle pain and not cause swelling include:
- Peripheral neuropathy Like the rest of your body, there is a network of nerves in your ankles and feet. These nerves can trigger ankle pain when theyre damaged or irritated. If this happens in your ankle, its called peripheral neuropathy. This condition can occur after ankle trauma. People with conditions like diabetes also tend to develop this issue.
- Joint instability Ligaments and tendons in your ankle help keep it stable. However, they can become loose or weak following an injury like a sprained ankle. When this happens, your ankle can become chronically unstable, which can lead to occasional discomfort.
- Osteoarthritis The cartilage in your ankles can wear away as you get older. This can lead to joint inflammation thats called ankle osteoarthritis. In its initial stages, this issue tends to cause aching in the affected ankle. Yet it may not lead to noticeable swelling. People often feel the most discomfort first thing in the morning or after the ankle has been in one position for a while.
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Wrist Injury Without Swelling Causes And Treatment
Pain in a wrist after a fall can mean an injury, even when it is not swollen. The cause of the injury may be, for example, unfortunate support of the arm during a fall. Even with an ordinary contusion, it is worth taking care of the wrist so as not to aggravate the symptoms and allow it to heal. How To Treat Wrist Pain After An Injury? We advise!
What Causes Sudden Joint Pain
Youre out and about, your body feels great from head to toe, and then seemingly out of nowhere lightning strikes. Or, at least it feels that way. Sudden joint pain can not only ruin your day, but become a cause for concern, especially if youve never experienced it before.
Unlike arthritis, which tends to worsen gradually over time, sudden joint pain can seemingly happen out of nowhere. It can affect one joint or all of them, and is often described as sharp and acute. But if you havent noticed anything starting to ache a little or knowingly injured yourself, where could the pain be coming from?
Heres a look at some of the most common causes of sudden joint pain, how to treat them, and when to see a doctor.
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Swollen Ankle But No Pain
As aforementioned, ankle pain but no swelling is often associated with minor injuries that heal on their own without any medical intervention. However, the reverse, that is ankle joint showing signs of inflammation but causing no pain is suggesting an underlying medical condition. Persistent swelling around the ankle joints is pointing towards edema , a condition that is typically marked by accumulation of excess fluids. Ankle edema is common in people suffering from kidney disorders or heart problems such as congestive heart failure . Obese people leading a sedentary lifestyle may also show painless ankle swelling.
Infections Can Cause Joint Pain
Joint pain may be one symptom of an infection, and can begin within a few hours. This type of pain will likely also include redness, swelling, and the inability to move the joint. One common diagnosis is , which is usually caused by a bacterial infection. This type of infection can also be accompanied by fever, and requires immediate treatment in order to prevent permanent damage to the affected joints.
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These Three Causes Could Be The Reason You Have Wrist Pain With No Swelling
There are certain people who are at higher risk of developing wrist pain without swelling. Sports players are often more susceptible to wrist injuries since sports often involve wrist impacts. They can also require repetitive wrist movements. Repetitive work movements can put you at higher risk for wrist pain as well. No matter whether your risk is high or not, your wrist pain could be caused by these three common issues:
Three Reasons Your Ankle Hurts But Theres No Swelling
Ankle sprains are a common source of ankle pain, and they tend to also cause swelling. However, there are other causes of ankle pain that can occur with no swelling.
U.S. adults typically spend much of their day on their feet. One study found that about 24% of Americans spend six or more hours per day on their feet. People who fall into this category will likely want to determine why their ankle hurts as soon as possible, even if theres no swelling. A physical therapist can help you learn the source of your ankle pain. Also, physical therapists can help you find top-notch treatment for many ankle problems.
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Swollen Ankles And Wrists Causes
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How To Prevent Wrist Pain
Not all wrist pain can be prevented, especially when it comes to arthritis or the development of cysts.
However, you can lessen the possibility of developing carpal tunnel syndrome by practicing some of the following strategies:
- using an ergonomic keyboard to keep your wrists from bending upward
- resting your hands often while typing or doing similar activities
- working with an occupational therapist to stretch and strengthen your wrists
To help prevent future episodes of gout, consider:
- drinking more water and less alcohol
- limiting the amount of liver, anchovies, and smoked or pickled fish you eat
- eating only moderate amounts of protein
- taking medication as your doctor prescribed
While it may not be possible to completely prevent arthritis, you can
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How A Physical Therapist Can Help The Sharp Pain In Your Ankle
If you think an ankle condition is causing sharp pain but no swelling, a physical therapist can help you find relief. Depending on the condition thats causing your pain, a physical therapist may employ a variety of techniques to address the problem. Some of the most common techniques include:
- Therapeutic exercises to strengthen the muscles that support the ankle joint. This can reduce the stress and tension on your ankle joint, which may be contributing to the pain.
- Joint mobilization techniques to increase the range of motion of the ankle. Joint mobilization can also maintain ankle flexibility and can even reduce pain caused by cascading stiffness.
- Soft tissue mobilization to increase blood flow to the ankle joint and reduce inflammation.
To Protect Your Shoulders:
- Avoid activities that require you to reach overhead for long periods.
- Don’t move your shoulder repeatedly for a prolonged period .
- Do range-of-motion exercises to maintain strength and flexibility.
- Use good posture.
- Don’t grip tools or pens too tightly.
- Don’t clench your fists.
- Avoid repeated hand and finger motions.
- Don’t lean on your elbows, and avoid bumping them.
- Use a forearm band during physical activity.
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Three Reasons For Ankle Pain From Walking With No Swelling
Ankle pain is fairly common, but most people expect to have a sprain or a fracture when their ankle hurts. If you have ankle pain from walking but no swelling, you may be stumped about the cause of your symptoms. Here are three ankle conditions that can lead to pain during movement but not cause swelling.
Osteoarthritis can attack many joints in the body, including the ankle. This condition could easily be the reason you feel ankle pain from walking but dont have any swelling. The cartilage in the bodys joints is gradually worn away as people get older, and this wear and tear is called osteoarthritis. Many people experience joint swelling when they have this condition. However, every person experiences this condition differently, so its possible to have osteoarthritis pain without visible swelling. This is especially true in the early stages of this condition.
A bad bruise on your ankle could also lead to ankle pain from walking but no swelling. Bruises on the ankle are very common in people who play high-impact sports like football, rugby and soccer. Baseball players can also get a bad ankle bruise from contact with another player whos sliding into a base. This type of injury can also be one that you get at work.