Common Causes Of Ankle Pain

Bursitis

Bursitis results from inflammation of the bursae sacs that cushion the bones, muscles, and tendons in and around the joints. Bursitis typically affects the shoulders, hips, and elbows, but can also be found in the big toe, knees, and heels. It is also more common to find this condition near joints that experience repetitive motion injuries or perform the same motions on a regular basis. Bursitis of the heel can lead to extreme ankle pain, including stiffness and aching, swelling, redness, and increased pain with use. This condition can be treated and managed, but patients with this condition often see regular flare-ups over time even with treatment in many cases. The cause of this condition is generally related to repetitive motion, injury or trauma, infection, or certain types of arthritis.

Types Of Arthritis

Arthritis is a degenerative condition that results in the wearing down of bones, tendons, and ligaments in the joint. There are many types of arthritis, with some having a more severe impact on ankle pain than others. Psoriatic arthritis is a common condition that results in joint pain along with dry skin patches around the joints, and can cause severe discomfort. 

Rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory joint disease, is another reason individuals may experience ankle discomfort and pain. These conditions are all slightly different, but treatment options are readily available. With arthritis conditions, including gout, osteoarthritis, reactive arthritis, septic arthritis, and the others mentioned above, the goal is to alleviate the pain and inflammation with medication and physical therapy. Surgery may be required in advanced cases.

Achilles Tendinitis

Ankle pain may also be caused by Achilles tendinitis, or inflammation of the Achilles tendon. This is an injury that results from overuse of the tendon connecting the heel bone to the calf muscles. This is a common condition for runners and individuals who play sports involving a lot of strenuous leg movements, such as basketball. Pain generally starts mildly, in the back of the leg or near the ankle. This pain can increase as a result of running or exercise, and is usually worse in the morning due to stiffness of the tendon. Many cases are treated with rest and physical therapy, as well as medications to relieve pain and inflammation. Cases left untreated, or that involve more serious strains, can result in ruptures of the tendon that may require surgery.