Common Causes of Ankle Pain
Ankle pain, whether minor, chronic, or severe, can make it difficult to walk, move about, or even stand. Many different factors can cause ankle pain, from arthritis to a sprain. Ankle pain should not be ignored as it could result in long-term pain and instability if left untreated. Dr. Dallin Greene and Dr. Nathan Judd, the board-certified podiatrists at Big Sky Foot & Ankle Institute in Bozeman, and Butte, MT, treat ankle pain due to various causes.
Reasons for Ankle Pain
Ankle pain, swelling, tenderness, and stiffness can occur for several different reasons. The type of treatment needed often depends on the cause of the pain. The experienced podiatrists at our office in Bozeman, MT, develop ankle pain treatment plans based on the cause, severity, and other factors. Some common reasons why ankle pain develops include:
- Sprains
- Fractures
- Achilles tendon injury
- Arthritis & osteoarthritis
- Injury to the ankle joint
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Peroneal tendon injury
- Talar dome lesion
- Ankle instability
- Gout
Treatment Options
Treating ankle pain is essential to ensure a sprain, fracture, or other injury heals properly. Additionally, treatment helps prevent symptoms such as discomfort, stiffness, swelling, tenderness, and instability from getting worse. Further, depending on the cause, ankle pain that is not treated could lead to long-term problems, such as chronic pain and instability.
Treatment options for ankle pain caused by different factors include:
- RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation)
- Immobilization with a brace or cast
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Cortisone injections
- Physical therapy
- Surgery
In many cases, multiple treatment methods might be recommended. For instance, a brace or cast is often needed to heal an ankle fracture. Afterward, physical therapy could be recommended to help strengthen the ankle joint, as well as improve mobility and reduce instability.
Whatever the cause of your ankle pain, there are effective treatments that can help. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Greene or Dr. Judd to discuss the options for treating your ankle pain by calling Big Sky Foot & Ankle Institute in Bozeman, and Butte, MT, at (406) 782-2278.
