If you have suffered an ankle sprain that has not healed properly, and it has left your ankle ligaments overly loose, you are most likely experiencing ankle instability. A podiatrist will typically diagnose you with ankle instability if you are still experiencing weakness and laxity 6 months after an ankle sprain, or if you have suffered multiple ankle sprains. This is a common occurrence when the initial ankle sprain was not treated satisfactorily, which would have prevented it from healing properly. Ankle instability can also cause pain and tenderness, swelling and discomfort, and cause your ankle to repeatedly “give way.” Ankle instability that goes untreated may lead to chronic ankle instability, and even osteoarthritis in worst case scenarios. If you have had an ankle sprain in the past, and your ankle feels wobbly, weak, painful, or tender, there are treatments to help. It is suggested you start by having a podiatrist examine you and diagnose your condition.
Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Cleveland Foot & Ankle Clinic. Our doctors 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
- 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 Cleveland, Independence, and Kent, OH . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
