The ankle is made up of a complex array of tendons, ligaments, tissues and bones so it is really no wonder that there are many ailments that can cause your ankle to hurt. Chronic lateral ankle pain and other radiating pain from even the most innocuous of ankle sprains can cause you to feel pain in other areas of your body, including your knees and back, so it’s always best to see your foot doctor to determine the cause of the actual problem and to hopefully prevent further pain.
7 common ankle problems that cause moderate to severe pain include the following:
- Stress and acute fractures
- Achilles tendon damage
- Ankle sprains and strains
- Bursitis
- Gout
- Various types of arthritis
- Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs
Treatment for moderate to severe ankle pain mainly entails RICE:
- Resting—Removing the weight from the ankle and raising your foot right.
- Icing—Apply an ice pack several times a day for ten to fifteen minutes each time.
- Compression—Compression bandages can be wrapped around the ankle.
- Elevation—Lying down and raising your foot above your heart will help to drain fluids.
In severe cases involving fractures and possible bone fragments, surgery may be required.
Any pain and severe symptoms that do not subside after a few days may be a sign of a more complicated problem requiring the expertise of your foot doctor. At Your Next Step, our team of board-certified podiatrists has access to advanced technologies, along with years of experience, to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems, including sports injuries, joint pain, toe deformities, nail fungus, chronic tendon pain, and skin problems. Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich and Dr. Aliza V. Eisen provide high-quality foot and ankle care to patients in the greater Philadelphia area at our offices conveniently located in Ardmore, Paoli, Woodlyn, and Downingtown. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.