Why Does My Ankle Hurt?
At Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle, that’s a question we often hear in our Hudson office. Unfortunately, there is no one simple answer. It is, however, an excellent question to ask because not evaluating and treating ankle discomfort can lead to seriously debilitating podiatric problems down the road.
Sources of Ankle Symptoms
In addition to pain, patients may experience other uncomfortable ankle symptoms, including:
Swelling
Tenderness
Weakness, a feeling like their ankle will “give way.”
Stiffness and limited range of motion
The most common cause of chronic ankle discomfort is an old ankle sprain. Did you know that about 80% of untreated ankle sprains will result in lingering pain and prolonged symptoms? Ankle sprains can be misleading injuries. The pain and swelling may decrease after the first 24 hours, but that doesn’t mean the sprain is healing. Sometimes an ankle-twisting injury may also cause a fracture and being able to bear weight on your ankle and foot is not a sign that it’s not broken.
When you suffer an ankle-twisting injury, the ligaments of the ankle stretch beyond their limit. It takes time and usually physical therapy or special exercises to get the ligaments back in shape. Rehabilitation usually includes strengthening the muscles surrounding the ligaments to provide additional support. When skipping or abbreviating this process, you’re likely to suffer with chronic ankle discomfort and increase your risk for repeated sprains.
In addition to ankle sprains, there are other potential sources of pain and discomfort, such as nerve compression, gout or arthritis, and Achilles tendon rupture.
How the Podiatrist Can Help
Making an appointment at our Hudson office by calling 727-868-2128 or 352-683-5799 is the first step to getting relief from your ongoing ankle pain. Our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales, will examine your ankle and foot and get a medical history, including previous sprains and injuries. The foot doctor may also order x-rays or other imaging studies. Once the podiatrist diagnoses the cause of your ankle pain, they will know how treat it. Early and aggressive treatment is the best course of action for ankle injuries and may prevent future injuries, arthritis in the injured area, and falls.