It’s a truly lucky ankle that has gone through life without ever encountering some pain.

Our ankles are built to have a wide range of motion and endure a lot of force in everyday movement. But all it takes is an unstable step, a slip, or some other misfortune to cause significant pain.

Then there are more chronic, painful problems that can develop in the ankle over time, such as arthritis and instability. What’s more, the acute problems you face via those accidents and injuries of life can contribute to developing the chronic problems.

What does that mean for you and your ankles? It means that any ankle pain that lasts more than a day or two should not be ignored! Treating the causes of ankle problems promptly, properly, and effectively can help you remain more mobile and comfortable in the long run.

COMMON CAUSES OF ANKLE PAIN

Ankle pain most commonly arises due to some form of physical trauma to one or more of the elements within the joint: bones, ligaments, tendons, or other tissues. Some of the most frequent types of injuries we see include the following. 

  • Achilles Tendinitis – Strain and inflammation of the tendon that connects the heel bone to the calf muscles can also result in ankle pain. This tends to be an overuse injury, often causes by pushing oneself too hard over time, or by engaging in a sudden, intense burst of activity that your tendon is not ready to take. 
  • Peroneal Tendinosis – Also called “ankle tendinitis,” this is the inflammation of one or two of the tendons that surround the ankle joint itself (aka the peroneal tendons). Much like Achilles tendinitis, the most frequent cause of this condition is overuse. Long-distance runners, dancers, basketball players, and gymnasts tend to be among those with the highest risks of developing this condition. 
  • Ankle Sprains – The most common form of ankle pain by far, a sprain is caused when one or more of the ligaments of the ankle is overstretched or even mildly torn. This is often the result of coming down on uneven terrain, stepping into a hole, or simply just rolling your ankle. 
  • Fractures – It is quite possible for bones within the ankle to break, usually from the force of some form of impact (like a tackle) or fall. The fibula, the smaller of the bones that stabilize the ankle, tends to be the one that most often suffers a standard fracture. 
  • Stress Fractures – While a “standard” fracture is a break through a bone, a stress fracture is a crack along the surface of a bone. This type of injury tends to be the result of overuse and repetitive impacts over a period of time. Runners who push themselves constantly with little to no recovery time can develop stress fractures. 
  • Arthritis – Like almost any joint, the ankle is susceptible to various forms of arthritis. These can include osteoarthritis (the mechanical “wear and tear” against cartilage in the joint) and rheumatoid arthritis (the body’s immune system attacking the joint). 

Regardless of the problem, any situation in which ankle pain persists is one worth coming to see us about! 

TREATING ANKLE PAIN PROPERLY

Not every case of ankle pain requires advanced treatment, of course. Many mild ankle sprains, for example, can be treated well enough through simple rest, ice, and elevation.

That said, you should not treat ankle pain and injuries lightly. You should ensure that you give yourself all the proper allowances for even minor ankle injuries to heal properly.

As we previously said, the ankles have a lot of work to do. When parts of the ankle become injured and do not heal as they should, they can weaken—which in turn can lead to instability. An unstable ankle is more likely to suffer sprains and other injuries again, which can lead to further weakness, and more instability. You can see how the cycle can perpetuate.

Never be afraid that your ankle pain is “not bad enough” to contact us. We would much rather find little to worry about than have a potentially serious problem go overlooked.

Depending on the cause of your ankle pain and other factors, we may recommend various forms of treatment in addition to rest. These might include:

  • Physical therapy
  • The use of braces or custom orthotics
  • Changes in footwear and/or workout routines
  • Surgery, in uncommon cases

Don’t Wait for Help on Your Ankles

Your ankles do a lot for you. You deserve to have them kept in the best shape possible!

Whenever you have questions or concerns regarding ankle pain or other issues, call our Hopkinsville office at (270) 885-1203. If you prefer to reach us via our website, fill out our online contact form and a member of our staff will reach out to you during our office hours.