Ankle Pain
Ankle pain is a common problem that can affect anyone, from athletes to people who spend most of the day on their feet. Injuries, such as sprains or fractures, or conditions like arthritis, gout, and tendonitis, can cause ankle pain.
Injuries often cause ankle pain, but other reasons include infections, nerve issues, and autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Healthnile advises people to pay attention to new or ongoing discomfort since early care can stop it from getting worse.
Definition Of Symptom
Ankle pain means discomfort or soreness in or around the ankle joint. This pain can be sharp, dull, constant, or come and go. The ankle connects the foot to the leg and helps with walking, running, and jumping. When someone has ankle pain, these activities can become difficult. Common ankle pain symptoms include:
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Redness or warmth
- Clicking or popping sounds
- Trouble putting weight on the foot
Joint pain in the ankle might also make the area feel tender or weak. Sometimes, the pain only appears during movement, but it can also stay even when someone is resting.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Sharp pain | Sudden, intense discomfort, often from an injury. |
| Dull ache | Ongoing, mild pain that lingers. |
| Swelling | Ankle appears bigger or puffy. |
| Bruising | Skin changes color, often blue or purple. |
| Stiffness | Hard to move or bend the ankle. |
Ankle pain can range from mild to severe. It may result from injuries, overuse, or underlying health problems.
Possible Causes/Diseases Condition
Many health problems and injuries can cause ankle pain. Some happen suddenly, while others develop over time. One of the most common causes is ankle sprains. Twisting or rolling the ankle can stretch or tear the ligaments that support it. Ankle fractures, or broken bones, can happen from falls or direct hits. A list of frequent conditions linked to ankle pain includes:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
- Lupus
- Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction
- Chronic ankle instability
- Cellulitis or other infection
- Stress fractures
Osteoarthritis wears down the cartilage in the ankle joint. Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can cause swelling, stiffness, and pain in both ankles. Gout develops when uric acid builds up and causes sudden, sharp pain and redness, usually in one ankle.
People who have repeated sprains can develop chronic ankle instability, which makes the ankle feel weak or unstable, especially during walking or sports. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction affects the tendon that supports the arch and can cause pain on the inside of the ankle.
Infections, such as cellulitis, may lead to redness, warmth, and swelling. Achilles tendon injuries cause pain at the back of the ankle, while stress fractures are tiny cracks in the bone from overuse, often seen in athletes or runners.
Other Non-Disease Causes
Some ankle pain comes from daily habits or foot structure, not from diseases or injuries. Overuse is a common reason. People who spend a lot of time on their feet or do repetitive activities, like running, may feel ankle pain from too much strain.
Flat feet can cause pain because the arch does not give enough support. This can make the ankles roll inward, known as overpronation. Both flat feet and overpronation put extra pressure on the ankle joints.
| Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| Overuse | Too much activity or standing |
| Flat feet | Low or collapsed arches |
| Overpronation | Feet roll inward while walking |
| Poor footwear | Shoes that lack support |
| Hard surfaces | Walking or running on concrete |
Wearing shoes without enough support can make these issues worse. Walking or running on hard surfaces adds extra impact.
How It Causes The Symptom
When someone feels ankle pain, it usually means there is a problem with the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, or nerves around the ankle. Sprains stretch or tear the ligaments, leading to pain, swelling, and trouble walking. Swelling is the body’s response to injury or irritation.
Extra blood and fluid move into the area to help with healing, which puts pressure on nerves and makes the ankle feel sore or stiff. Some diseases cause ankle pain by attacking the joint itself. For example, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus cause the immune system to attack healthy tissue, causing joint swelling and discomfort.
Gout happens when uric acid builds up in the blood. Uric acid crystals form and settle in the ankle joint, causing sudden episodes of sharp, intense pain. Tendon problems like tendonitis develop when tendons become irritated from overuse or injury. This makes the ankle tender and hard to move.
| Condition | How It Causes Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Sprain | Ligament damage leads to swelling, pain |
| Gout | Uric acid crystals cause sharp pain |
| Tendonitis | Inflamed tendons cause tenderness |
| Arthritis | Joint inflammation causes stiffness |
| Lupus (autoimmune) | Immune attack results in swelling, pain |
These changes can make it hard to walk or put weight on the ankle. Pain often gets worse with movement or pressure on the joint.
Possible Complications
If people do not treat or manage ankle pain, several complications can develop. One common problem is chronic ankle instability, where the ankle easily rolls or gives out during daily activities. People may also lose some movement in the ankle. When pain, swelling, or stiffness continues, the ankle can become harder to move.
Ankle pain can lead to other joint issues, including arthritis, which causes ongoing discomfort. Infection is rare but serious, especially if there are open wounds near the ankle. Infections can spread and may need urgent care.
| Complication | Description |
|---|---|
| Chronic Ankle Instability | Weakness and repeated rolling of the ankle. |
| Limited Range of Motion | Reduced ability to move the ankle. |
| Arthritis | Joint damage causing long-term pain and swelling. |
| Infection | Bacterial growth, especially after injury. |
| Structural Problems | Improper healing may affect how the ankle moves. |
Untreated injuries can make the pain last much longer than usual. In some cases, swelling or stiffness might not fully go away. Ignoring ankle pain can make daily activities—like walking or exercising—much harder. For some, balance and stability may also get worse over time.
When To Seek Medical Attention
Sometimes ankle pain goes away with rest and home care. But some signs mean you should see a doctor right away. See a doctor if any of the following occur:
- Severe pain or swelling, especially after an injury.
- Pain that gets worse or does not improve after a few days of home care.
- Inability to put weight on the foot or walk.
- The ankle looks deformed or a bone is sticking out.
- An open wound or severe bruising.
- Tingling, burning, or numbness in the foot.
If mild pain or swelling does not get better after several days, seeing a doctor is a good idea. Emergency care is needed for:
| Symptom | Action |
|---|---|
| Bone poking through skin | Seek emergency care |
| Sudden, severe swelling or pain | Seek emergency care |
| Loss of feeling or blue color in foot | Seek emergency care |
You can contact your doctor or visit a clinic if you are unsure whether your ankle pain needs medical attention.
