If you are suffering from ankle pain, one of the most important questions to answer is: where does your ankle hurt? The location of the ankle pain provides key information to help diagnose the problem. Pain along the inside of the ankle may indicate an eversion ankle sprain, fracture, tibial posterior tendonitis, or tarsal tunnel syndrome. Pain along the outside of the ankle could mean that you have a sprain, sinus tarsi syndrome, peroneal tendonitis, or a peroneal tendon dislocation. Pain at the front of the ankle is often a symptom of tibialis anterior tendonitis or ankle impingement. Pain at the back of the ankle might indicate an Achilles tendon injury, bursitis, or Sever’s disease. A podiatrist can examine your injured ankle, determine the cause of your pain, and find the right treatment for you.
Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Matthew McQuaid, DPM from Lake Mendocino Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.
Causes
The most common causes of ankle pain include:
- Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
- Ankle sprains
- Broken ankles
- Achilles tendinitis
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Stress fractures
- Bursitis
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Plantar fasciitis
Symptoms
Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.
Diagnosis
Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.
Treatment
Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Lakeport and Ukiah, CA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
