The ankles bear the weight of our entire body, and they must bend and twist however we please. Because they are so stable, we tend to take our ankles for granted until they start causing us to feel pain.
Ankle pain can be caused by everything from a sprain to diabetes to arthritis. The most commonly reported ankle injury is a sprained ankle, and young people (under age 25) and females tend to get sprained ankles much more often than do men over the age of 25. Either way, people of all ages are susceptible to developing ankle pain thanks to one reason or another.
An injured ankle is usually associated with swelling, redness, stiffness, and warmth in the area. The pain is often characterized as a dull, deep ache that occurs when moving or walking.
What Causes Ankle Pain?
There are as many reasons for ankle pain as there are humans on Earth, but the following are some of the most common causes of ankle pain:
Sprained Ankle
This is by far the most common ankle injury. All it takes is to step off a curb awkwardly or to take a misstep for your ankle to curl and twist, causing a partial or full tear of a ligament in the ankle – which is a sprain.
Diabetes
Diabetics are keenly aware of their susceptibility to foot issues, and those can include ankle issues. This is because this condition can create neuropathy, which makes the patient unaware of foot injury, so an injury can go untreated until it is too late. Frequent self-checks and medical care can help prevent an ankle injury from turning into an infection.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common musculoskeletal illness that affects millions of Americans. It happens when the protective cartilage that cushions your bones at the joint, including the ankle joint, wear down over time or due to overuse. Osteoarthritis can affect your hands, knees, hips, spine, and ankles. Various methods by your doctor can successfully provide temporary relief from ankle pain caused by osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term, progressive, and disabling autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, swelling, and pain. This type of arthritis affects not only the joints, but also other bodily organs as well – causing systemic pain which can hurt the ankles.
Lupus
More common than most of us realize, lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes your body to attack healthy tissues. It could affect your ankles due to fluid buildup and inflammation in your joints.
Achilles Tendonitis
Inflammation of the Achilles tendon in the lower-back of the leg is a common condition caused by an intense and repetitive strain on the Achilles tendon. This injury usually results from running and jumping without enough rest in between exercise sessions.
Ankle Care in Cincinnati
Here at Cincinnati Foot & Ankle Care, we provide the highest quality of podiatric care for patients of all ages. Our foot and ankle surgeons can provide diagnosis, treatment, and therapy for all types of foot and ankle injuries and chronic conditions. This is why we are Cincinnati’s leading podiatry practice with many locations across the area.
To schedule a consultation, contact us today by calling us at the location near you, or request an appointment easily via our online form. We look forward to getting you back in step!
