Rare and unusual ankle pain causesRare and unusual causes that may lead to severe ankle pain include: Show
Whether you're incredibly active or spend most nights on the couch, an ankle injury can happen to anyone. If you find yourself with an ankle that's not cooperating, it's time to look into treatments. Posterior tibialis tendinopathyPosterior tibialis tendinopathy The posterior tibialis tendon attaches the calf muscle to the bones on the underside of the foot. It provides stability and arch support. If this tendon is damaged, the result may be a flat, unstable foot. Posterior tibialis tendinopathy is most often a sports injury, where the tendon becomes inflamed or torn through overuse or high impact. Symptoms include pain down the ankle and into the foot, sometimes with swelling. The pain becomes worse with any activity, even standing or walking. When standing, the patient's arch will be collapsed and flat and the front of the foot will point outward. The patient will be unable to stand on the injured foot and raise the heel. Diagnosis is made through patient history, physical examination, and imaging such as x-ray, CT scan, or MRI. Treatment involves rest, over-the-counter pain relievers, orthotics (shoe pads,) braces, and sometimes steroid injections into the damaged tendon. Surgery can be tried, but tends to be complex and cannot always restore the tendon completely. Rarity: Ultra rare Top Symptoms: swollen foot, pain in one foot, limping, pain in one ankle, spontaneous ankle pain Symptoms that never occur with posterior tibialis tendinopathy: recent cutting accident Urgency: Primary care doctor Osteochondritis dissecansOsteochondritis dissecans, also called OCD, is a joint condition. It occurs when there is not enough blood flow within the end of a bone, under the protective cartilage. These bone layers begin to die and separate from the main bone, taking the cartilage with them. The exact cause is not known. It may be due to overtraining a young person before the bone is entirely mature, which can interfere with blood supply. Most susceptible are children and teenagers. The condition is found most often in only one joint, usually the ankle, knee, or elbow. However, any joint can be affected and there may be more than one. Symptoms include swelling and pain in the joint during exercise, and sometimes "locking" of the joint. Osteochondritis dissecans may lead to osteoarthritis if not treated. Diagnosis is made through patient history, physical examination, and imaging. Treatment first involves rest because in children who are still growing, the bone and cartilage may heal spontaneously. If there are loose pieces of bone within a joint, surgery may be necessary. Rarity: Rare Top Symptoms: pain in one knee, knee stiffness, knee instability, knee pain that gets worse during a run, pop in the knee Urgency: Primary care doctor GoutGout is a form of arthritis that causes sudden pain, stiffness, and swelling in a joint. The big toe is often affected, but it can also happen in other joints. Sometimes, the joint gets hot and red. Gout is caused by uric acid crystals. Risk factors for gout include obesity, eating a lot of meat, drinking beer, age (older), sex (male), and family history. You should see a healthcare professional to see if uric acid crystals have accumulated in the joint. Gout can be diagnosed based on symptoms, but it's also common to take a sample of joint fluid for testing. A physician can give you a prescription for anti-inflammatory medications and/ or pain medications. There are also medications to stop your body from making too much uric acid. Sometimes, a shot in the joint can help with symptoms also. Rarity: Common Top Symptoms: swollen toes Urgency: Primary care doctor FibromyalgiaFibromyalgia is a set of chronic symptoms that include ongoing fatigue, diffuse tenderness to touch, musculoskeletal pain, and usually some degree of depression. The cause is not known. When fibromyalgia appears, it is usually after a stressful physical or emotional event such as an automobile accident or a divorce. It may include a genetic component where the person experiences normal sensation as pain. Almost 90% of fibromyalgia sufferers are women. Anyone with rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, may be more prone to fibromyalgia. Poor sleep is often a symptom, along with foggy thinking, headaches, painful menstrual periods, and increased sensitivity to heat, cold, bright lights, and loud noises. There is no standard test for fibromyalgia. The diagnosis is usually made when the above symptoms go on for three months or more with no apparent cause. Fibromyalgia does not go away on its own but does not get worse, either. Treatment involves easing symptoms and improving the patient's quality of life through pain medications, exercise, improved diet, and help with managing stressful situations. Rarity: Common Top Symptoms: fatigue, arthralgias or myalgias, anxiety, depressed mood, headache Symptoms that always occur with fibromyalgia: arthralgias or myalgias Urgency: Primary care doctor CellulitisCellulitis is a bacterial infection of the deep layers of the skin. It can appear anywhere on the body but is most common on the feet, lower legs, and face. The condition can develop if Staphylococcus bacteria enter broken skin through a cut, scrape, or existing skin infection such as impetigo or eczema. Most susceptible are those with a weakened immune system, as from corticosteroids or chemotherapy, or with impaired circulation from diabetes or any vascular disease. Symptoms arise somewhat gradually and include sore, reddened skin. If not treated, the infection can become severe, form pus, and destroy the tissue around it. In rare cases, the infection can cause blood poisoning or meningitis. Symptoms of severe pain, fever, cold sweats, and fast heartbeat should be seen immediately by a medical provider. Diagnosis is made through physical examination. Treatment consists of antibiotics, keeping the wound clean, and sometimes surgery to remove any dead tissue. Cellulitis often recurs, so it is important to treat any underlying conditions and improve the immune system with rest and good nutrition. Rarity: Uncommon Top Symptoms: fever, chills, facial redness, swollen face, face pain Symptoms that always occur with cellulitis: facial redness, area of skin redness Urgency: Primary care doctor Broken ankleAn ankle fracture is a break in 1 or more ankle bones. You should seek immediate medical care. The ankle will likely be splinted, but in severe cases, surgery may be necessary. Rarity: Common Top Symptoms: difficulty walking, constant ankle pain, swollen ankle, pain in one ankle, ankle pain from an injury Symptoms that always occur with broken ankle: pain in one ankle, swollen ankle, ankle pain from an injury, constant ankle pain Urgency: Hospital emergency room Ankle sprainA foot sprain means there is damage to ligaments within the foot. The term "sprain" specifically refers to overstretching or tearing of ligaments – the strong, fibrous bands of tissue that hold the bones together within the joints. Foot sprains are usually sports or dance injuries. Any sort of running movement that involves sudden stops, starts, and twisting can lead to a foot sprain. Suddenly getting the foot caught while walking or running can wrench the ligaments and cause a sprain. Symptoms include swelling, bruising, and pain in the affected foot, especially with weight bearing. If symptoms do not resolve quickly, or seem to get worse instead of better, a medical provider should be seen to make sure no fracture is involved. Diagnosis is made through physical examination and imaging such as x-ray, CT scan, ultrasound, or MRI. Treatment is usually conservative and involves rest to allow healing; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain; elevating the foot to improve circulation; and wrapping the foot with an Ace bandage or wearing a special boot for support. Rarity: Common Top Symptoms: pain in one ankle, ankle pain from an injury, swollen ankle, bruised ankle, ankle twisting Symptoms that always occur with ankle sprain: pain in one ankle, ankle pain from an injury Urgency: Phone call or in-person visit Ankle bruiseA bruise is the damage of the blood vessels that return blood to the heart (the capillaries and veins), which causes pooling of the blood. This explains the blue/purple color of most bruises. Bruises of the ankle are common, often due to minor injury. You can treat this at home with R.I.C.E - rest (exercise as tolerated), ice (10-20 minutes at a time), compression (with tape or bandage), and elevation (putting your feet up helps blood drain and return to the heart). Rarity: Rare Top Symptoms: constant ankle pain, pain in one ankle, ankle pain from an injury, recent ankle injury, swollen ankle Symptoms that always occur with ankle bruise: ankle pain from an injury, recent ankle injury, constant ankle pain Urgency: Self-treatment Ankle arthritisArthritis simply means inflammation of the joints. Because the feet and ankles have many small joints and carry the weight of the body, they are often the first place that arthritis appears. Ankle arthritis is caused by a breakdown in the protective cartilage at the end of each joint, so that the bones begin to wear against each other and the joint becomes stiff and painful. This breakdown may be due to simple wear and tear; an injury; or from rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition which causes the body to break down its own cartilage. Symptoms include swelling, warmth, and redness in the joint, and pain with movement or with pressure on the joint. Diagnosis is made through patient history, physical examination, and imaging such as x-rays, CT scan, or MRI. There is no cure for arthritis, but treatment is important because the symptoms can be managed to prevent further damage, ease pain, and improve quality of life. Treatment involves physical therapy, pain-relieving medications, and sometimes surgery to help repair damaged joints. Rarity: Uncommon Top Symptoms: swollen ankle, swollen foot, joint stiffness, pain in one ankle, ankle stiffness Urgency: Self-treatment At-home ankle pain treatmentsYou can begin addressing your ankle pain symptoms at home while you recover or wait for an appointment.
Preventive measures for ankle painTry the following methods to help prevent ankle pain and injury.
Free yourself from ankle pain by knowing its symptoms, causes, and treatment. You'll be back on two healthy feet in no time. Questions your doctor may ask about ankle pain
Self-diagnose with our free Buoy Assistant if you answer yes on any of these questions. What does it mean when your ankle started hurting out of nowhere?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.
Why does my ankle hurt but its not swollen?The answer is that you likely have a high ankle sprain, which tends to make your ankle hurt but not cause swelling. High ankle sprains are also called syndesmotic ankle injuries. They affect the ligaments between your tibia and fibula, and these are found just above your ankle joint.
What do you do when your ankle hurts out of nowhere?How you can ease ankle pain yourself. rest and raise your ankle when you can.. put an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on your ankle for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.. wear wide comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole.. use soft insoles or heel pads in your shoes.. When should I be concerned about ankle pain?Seek immediate medical attention if you:
Have severe pain or swelling. Have an open wound or severe deformity. Have signs of infection, such as redness, warmth and tenderness in the affected area or a fever greater than 100 F (37.8 C) Cannot put weight on your foot.
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