Common Causes Of Ankle Pain

Ankle pain can be caused by many different injuries and conditions that affect the bones, tendons, and ligaments in the ankle. In addition to this, different types of arthritis also lead to ankle pain. Finding the source of the pain is the key to alleviating it and coming up with a long-term solution. While sprains are the most common source of injury and pain, other issues can arise as well. Anyone experiencing ankle issues will have discomfort and pain in their ankles, feet, and lower legs. The good news is there is usually a way to alleviate the pain! Of course, the cause must be determined first.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a prevalent cause of heel and ankle pain. The condition is a result of inflammation in the tissue band connecting the toes to the heel bone, which usually causes shooting pains in the heels and ankles, primarily first thing in the morning. Movement helps alleviate the pain in most cases. Patients may notice returning or worsening pain after sitting or standing for long periods. When the foot is resting, it allows inflammation to build up in the tissue band, which leads to the pain felt when walking. Plantar fasciitis pain gets better during exercise in many cases, but the pain will be worse afterward.

Sprained Ankle

A sprained ankle is the result of the ligaments in the joints getting overstretched or torn due to physical activity or injury. Most individuals experience what is known as a lateral sprain, which involves the foot rolling in a way that causes the outside of the ankle to roll toward the ground, stretching or tearing ligaments in the ankle. Usually, the condition is alleviated by immobilizing and resting the foot and taking over-the-counter pain medications and anti-inflammatories. Most sprains stop bruising and swelling after two weeks, but it could take months for the injury to fully heal depending on how severe it is. A sprain, even once healed, will cause the affected ankle to be weaker and less stable in many cases.