Ankle Pain & Ankle Conditions

There are various ankle conditions that can cause ankle pain. Some of them are listed below -

Although ankle pain due to Arthritis is not as common compared to the degenerative changes in other joints, it can be quite painful. Ankle Arthritis is most common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or patients with a previous ankle injury.

A sprain in the ankle causes an injury to the ligaments around the ankle. Such injuries can cause pain and swelling. In addition, the patients may feel as though the joint may give way.

A patient has tendonitis when the tendons become irritated and inflamed.

If left untreated, posterior tibial tendonitis, which causes ankle pain on the inside part of the joint, can lead to significant walking problems.

This is the most common type of tendonitis around the ankle joint and causes pain over the back of the heel.

There are many different types of ankle fractures and each must be treated differently. While some ankle fractures can be treated like sprains, others may require surgery.

Gout is a relatively uncommon cause of ankle pain.

The cartilage of the ankle joint is susceptible to injuries if ankle sprains, fractures or other ankle injuries are left untreated.

You are advised to seek medical attention if you are unsure of the cause of your symptoms below:

• Inability to walk comfortably on the affected side
• An injury that causes deformity around the joint
• Ankle pain that occurs at night or while you are resting
• Ankle pain that persists beyond a few days
• Inability to bend the ankle
• Swelling of the joint at the calf area
• Signs of an infection, including fever, redness, warmth
• Any other unusual symptoms

Treatment depends entirely on the cause of the problem. Therefore, it is important that you understand the cause of your symptoms before embarking on a treatment programme. If you are unsure of your diagnosis, or the severity of your condition, you should seek medical advice before beginning any treatment plan.

This is usually the first course of treatment for most common conditions and to relieve ankle pain as it allows the inflammation to subside. Crutches may be helpful if the symptoms are severe.

This form of treatment may be helpful depending on the specific injury to be addressed.

Ice packs and heat pads are among the most commonly used treatments for inflammation. Ice packs are mostly used for acute injuries to help minimise swelling while heat pads are used for chronic conditions to help relax and loosen tissues, and to stimulate blood flow to the area.

Stretching the muscles and tendons that surround the joint can help with some causes of ankle pain. A good routine should be established.

Physiotherapy is an important aspect of treatment for almost all orthopaedic conditions. Physiotherapists use different modalities to increase strength, regain mobility, and help return patients to their pre-injury level of activity.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, commonly referred to as NSAIDs, are some of the most frequently prescribed medications, especially for patients with ankle pain caused by problems such as arthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis.

Triamcinolone is a powerful medication that treats inflammation, which is a common problem in patients with ankle pain.

Surgery is rarely used as part of the acute treatment of an ankle sprain. Patients who undergo surgery usually have recurrent ankle injuries and persistent ankle pain. This could be due to torn ligaments that did not heal properly.

Patients who have chronic, recurring ankle sprains usually have loose ligaments. The most commonly performed surgery to 'tighten' these ligaments is called a Brostrom repair. During the surgery, the ligaments on the outside of the ankle are tightened, preventing the ankle from being unstable.

An unstable ankle joint can be detected via a physical examination where the doctor will compare the uninjured ankle with the injured ankle to get an idea of how 'loose' the injured ankle is. An X-ray of the ankle can also be taken to see if the bones are held together tightly enough.