Why Is My Ankle Hurting?

At Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle, when our Nature Coast patients ask this question, we need to do a bit of investigating. First, our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales, will want to examine your ankles and feet. A complete medical history (including past injuries) and some questions about your current lifestyle and the symptoms you are experiencing will help give a complete picture. If necessary, the podiatrist may order x-rays or other imaging studies to clarify your condition further. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, the foot doctor will prescribe a treatment plan to best suit you. Below are some common sources of ankle pain.

An Old Sprain—If you’ve sprained an ankle in the past, it’s possible for pain, stiffness, swelling, and limited range of motion to continue or recur down the road. In the case of untreated ankle sprains, as many as 80% will continue to have lingering symptoms long after the original injury. One big reason for this is that patients fail to rehabilitate an ankle after an injury fully. In a sprain, the ligaments are overextended and sometimes torn. Treatment helps the ligaments heal, but physical therapy is necessary to strengthen the muscles surrounding and supporting the ankle ligaments to achieve total healing. It’s a myth when the pain stops; your ankle has healed. Ankles not fully rehabilitated are vulnerable to repeated sprains which can lead to weak ankles and chronic pain.

Arthritis—The joints in your ankles can become a site for joint disease. Osteoarthritis, gout, and other forms of the disease can develop in places where an injury has previously occurred. The joints in your feet are often the first place you find arthritis because they bear the extra pressure of carrying the weight of your entire body.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome— To carpal tunnel only in your ankle, this syndrome is the compression of the posterior tibial nerve, housed in the tarsal tunnel on the inside of your ankle. People with flat feet are more likely to develop this condition because the fallen arches can compress the nerve. It is also associated with specific diseases such as diabetes and arthritis.

If you are experiencing chronic ankle pain, contact our Hudson office (727-868-2128 or 352-683-5799) for an appointment so that the podiatrist can track down the source of your problem and help you get relief.