What if my ankle hurts

It is where three bones meet, the tibia and fibula of your lower leg with the talus of your foot. These bones are held together at the ankle joint by ligaments, strong elastic bands of connective tissue that keep the bones in place while allowing normal ankle motion.

Tendons then attach muscles to the bones to make the ankle and foot move, while keeping the joints stable. Because they are such a big part in helping us move, ankle injuries are very common. Something as simple as walking on an uneven surface and a quick accidental trip can cause a debilitating and sharply painful sprain.

Every day in the U. The main types include bone, ligament, or tendon injuries. If there is a fracture, this means there is a break in one or more of the bones. A sprain is when there is damage to ligaments when they get stretched beyond their normal range of motion.

A strain refers to damage to muscles and tendons as a result of being pulled or stretched too far. An ankle injury occurs when the ankle joint is twisted too far out of its normal position. How you can ease ankle pain yourself If you see a GP about ankle pain, they'll usually suggest you try these things: Do rest and raise your ankle when you can put an ice pack or bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel on your ankle for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours wear wide comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole use soft insoles or heel pads in your shoes wrap a bandage around your ankle to support it try regular gentle stretching exercises take paracetamol.

Find a pharmacy. Information: Find out more about managing ankle pain, including exercises you can do, on the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy website. Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:. Find an urgent treatment centre What we mean by severe pain Severe pain: always there and so bad it's hard to think or talk you cannot sleep it's very hard to move, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, wash or dress.

Moderate pain: always there makes it hard to concentrate or sleep you can manage to get up, wash or dress. Mild pain: comes and goes is annoying but does not stop you doing things like going to work. Possible symptoms and causes of ankle pain Symptoms Possible cause Pain, swelling, bruising, started after intense or repetitive exercise Sprained ankle Pain in ankle and heel, pain in calf when standing on tiptoes Achilles tendonitis Redness and swelling, dull aching pain Bursitis Sudden sharp pain, swelling, a popping or snapping sound during the injury, difficulty walking, ankle at odd angle Broken ankle.

It may also help prevent it. Applying compression or wearing a splint or brace can also help with the pain. If your doctor decides to drain any fluid from your bursae and finds an infection is causing the inflammation, you may be prescribed antibiotics. Your doctor may aim to try to slow the progression of the disease, which may entail the use of immunosuppressants.

They may also recommend NSAIDs and corticosteroids for pain, and possibly other treatments depending on how widespread the disease becomes in your body. Orthotic shoes or inserts are the most common treatment. The pain can be addressed with an OTC pain-reliever, too. Certain exercises , known as short foot exercises, have been shown to ease symptoms more than insoles. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to address the fallen arches.

Rest and stretching exercises are usually part of the treatment, as well as wearing shoe inserts or a brace or both. Your doctor may suggest you cut down on your physical activity for a while. Anti-inflammatory meds or corticosteroids may also help with the pain.

In severe cases, tendon repair surgery may become an option. Research suggests that cartilage repair or replacement may help with OLT, but it should be undertaken thoughtfully and with regard to your specific condition. A blood test or tissue culture should be able to reveal the type of bacteria causing the infection in your ankle. Then your doctor can start you on oral or IV antibiotics to knock out the infection and alleviate pain in your ankle.

It might be a strain that will go away on its own. But it could be a sign of a progressive disease that, if left untreated, could get worse over time and cause permanent damage. Ankle pain is any type of pain or discomfort in your ankles. An ankle sprain is one of the most common causes of ankle pain, but it could also be…. Some methods for healing ankle sprains are tried and true. Your ankle is a complex mechanism of bones, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.

When damaged or affected by adverse conditions, it can cause pain when…. Gout is often seen in the big toes, but it can affect any joint in your body, including your ankle.

Learn how to manage gout flare-ups in your ankle. We look at seven of the best capsaicin products you can buy online, in the store, or with a prescription. Here's everything you need to know about cortisone shots, including how they work, how much they cost, and what conditions they're meant to treat. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Why does my ankle suddenly hurt for no reason?

Diagnosing the cause. Treatment for sudden ankle pain without an injury. When to see a doctor.