Ankle pain has many possible causes. Since radiating pain from other injuries can also affect the ankle, it’s important to see your foot doctor to trace and properly treat the actual cause of your discomfort. For any ankle pain and swelling that doesn’t subside in the first day after some time spent resting, you may have a serious injury. Even a seemingly minor ankle sprain can cause debilitating problems like chronic ankle instability if not properly treated.

Some of the more common possible causes of ankle pain and discomfort include the following:

• Sprained ankle—The ankle joint comprises many ligaments and tendons that can become overly stretched, torn, and even broken when you twist the ankle or if you roll your foot over with your full weight behind it. See your foot doctor and have an ankle sprain treated promptly and correctly to prevent future problems.
• Achilles tendonitis—The Achilles tendon is the largest in your body, and it connects your foot at the heel to your calf muscle, enabling you to move your foot. Pain and stretching in this tendon can radiate to the ankle, making the condition difficult to diagnose without the help of your podiatrist properly.
• Arthritic conditions—Several types of arthritis can cause severe pain and stiffness in the ankle joints. Arthritis can be managed with proper diet and exercise and wearing properly supportive shoes with orthotics, so be sure to see your foot doctor.

If you are experiencing ankle pain and discomfort, see your foot doctor for the proper diagnosis and treatment. 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, and Downingtown, PA. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.