Foot and Ankle pain Expert in Perumbakkam
Your Trusted Partner in Foot and Ankle pain
Ankle pain refers to any kind of pain or discomfort affecting any part of the ankle. We are here to provide you with top-notch care and guidance to tackle your problems.
Understanding Foot and Ankle pain
What is Ankle pain?
Ankle pain refers to any kind of pain or discomfort affecting any part of the ankle. Ankle pain can happen for many reasons. 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. Healthcare providers can treat injuries and arthritis. Often times, conditions can be treated without surgery. However if the injury is severe, such as a broken ankle bone, or when your ankle pain fails to improve with nonsurgical treatment, surgery is needed. If you’ve had an ankle injury or surgery, a physical therapy (PT) plan can also help you heal. PT strengthens the muscles that support your feet and ankles. The therapy can relieve pain and prevent future injuries.
What are the most common causes of Ankle Pain?
Pain in the ankle can result from several injuries and conditions. Some of the most common injuries that cause ankle pain include:
- Bursitis: Fluid-filled sacs called bursae cushion your bones when they move. Bursitis happens when these sacs become irritated and inflamed.
- Fractures: An accident or injury can cause bones to break (fracture). Ankle Fracture range from mild to severe. Broken ankles can involve bones in any part of the ankle joint. A broken ankle causes ankle swelling and pain.
- Sprains: Sprained ankles are a common cause of ankle pain. An ankle sprain happens when ligaments stretch or tear. Sprained or twisted ankles happen when the ankle rolls forcefully out of its normal position.
- Tendonitis: Irritated, inflamed tendons are a soft-tissue injury called tendonitis. Tendons connect muscles to bones. Sometimes, a tendon can tear (such as an Achilles tendon rupture). A torn tendon may need surgical repair.
Symptoms of Alcoholism:
- Pain
- stiffness
- swelling
- Discoloration
- Redness
- warmth
- Tenderness
- Throbbing
- Looseness of the joint.
What can I do to relieve Ankle Pain?
Most ankle pain gets better with rest, ice and over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication. Follow your provider’s instructions for at-home treatments for ankle pain. Your provider may recommend the RICE method (rest, ice, compression and elevation). If pain is severe or your ankle still hurts after a few days of at-home care, see your provider.
The most common home treatments for ankle pain are:
- Rest: If you’ve had an injury such as a sprain, you should stay off your feet for a while. Talk to your provider about how long you should rest. Crutches or a walking boot can help you get around without putting weight on your ankle.
- Ice: To reduce swelling, apply ice or a cold compress to the area for 15 to 20 minutes every few hours.
- Compression: Ask your provider about wrapping an elastic bandage around your ankle to reduce inflammation. Be careful not to wrap it too tightly.
- Elevation: Resting with your ankle elevated above your heart reduces swelling. You can also try to sleep with your foot elevated at night.
- Over-the-counter pain medication: Non-steroidal inflammatory drugs(NSID) can relieve pain and reduce swelling. Talk to your provider before taking any medication.
- Supportive footwear: Make sure your shoes provide adequate support for your feet and ankles. Avoid flip-flops, sandals and shoes that are too loose. It’s especially important to wear proper footwear when playing sports. Activities such as basketball and volleyball can lead to ankle injuries, especially without the right footwear.
How do healthcare providers treat Ankle Pain?
Most ankle injuries heal with at-home treatments. More severe injuries may require surgery. Treatment depends on what’s causing ankle pain. Common treatments for ankle pain include:
- Braces and splints: An ankle brace may relieve pain and stabilize your ankle. Some braces are better for certain activities. Ask your provider to recommend one that works best for your lifestyle.
- Joint aspiration: During this procedure, your provider inserts a needle into the joint and removes excess fluid. Joint aspirations relieve pain and swelling.
- Medications: Several types of medication can reduce inflammation and relieve ankle pain. Drugs to treat arthritis and gout can significantly reduce pain and swelling.
- Orthotic inserts: Orthotics are inserts that fit into your shoes. You can buy them from the store, or your provider can custom-make them for your feet. Orthotics support and stabilize the foot while ensuring proper alignment.
- Physical therapy (PT): A customized PT program will help you improve flexibility and strengthen muscles that support your ankle. Your physical therapist will create a PT plan with exercises and stretches designed just for you. Be sure to do your prescribed exercises and stretches regularly.
- Steroid injections: Your provider uses a needle to inject anti-inflammatory medication directly into your joint. Cortisone shots reduce inflammation and pain.
- Surgery: A wide range of ankle surgery procedures can repair torn ligaments or tendons. Some options relieve arthritis pain or correct flatfeet. Ankle joint replacement surgery can relieve pain and restore functionality.
Surgery
Surgery may be required to treat certain ankle conditions. For instance, for a severe ankle fracture, an orthopedic surgeon will need to fix and position the ankle bones back in place using screws, pins, rods, and/or plates.
Surgical treatments include the following:
- Ankle debridement involves the removal of loose cartilage, diseased tissues, or bone spurs from around the joint. It may be performed arthroscopically using small incisions, a tiny camera, and specialized surgical tools.7
- Arthodesis is another option for ankle arthritis in which the ankle bones are fused to prevent the joint from moving, thereby easing pain.23
- Total ankle replacement or ankle arthroplasty, involves the replacement of the damaged ankle bone with an artificial ankle implant.24
Frequently Asked Question on Foot and Ankle pain
Common causes include injuries (sprains, strains), overuse, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, tendinitis, fractures, and certain medical conditions.
Diagnosis involves a physical exam and imaging studies. Treatment includes rest, stretching exercises, orthotic devices, and sometimes anti-inflammatory medications or corticosteroid injections.
Yes, conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, gout, and nerve disorders can contribute to foot and ankle pain.
Aging can lead to changes in foot structure, reduced flexibility, and increased risk of arthritis, contributing to foot and ankle pain.
Yes, excess weight can place additional stress on the feet and ankles, contributing to pain and increasing the risk of conditions like plantar fasciitis.
Yes, exercises such as toe curls, ankle circles, and calf raises can help strengthen the muscles and improve foot and ankle stability.