Ankle pain can be one of the most debilitating pains to experience. It affects not just your ankle, but also your mobility, often causing you to be unable to move around without feeling pain.
How to treat ankle pain is very much dependant on the cause of the pain.
Let’s look at some of the common causes of ankle pain and how to treat it.
Common Causes Of Ankle Pain
Some of the most common causes of ankle pain include:
Ankle sprain
Tendonitis
Arthritis
Nerve Damage
Broken or bruised bones
Infection
When To See A Podiatrist For Ankle Pain
You might want to try and grin and bear it, but there comes a time when you should really consult a podiatrist for your ankle pain.
These include:
When your ankle pain lasts more than 3 days
If you are unable to walk comfortably
If your ankle is swollen or otherwise deformed
You can’t bend or rotate your ankle
If there is any sign of infection (redness, warm skin, fever, swelling)
When you are experiencing pain even when you are still or in bed
How To Treat Ankle Pain
If you are in the early stages of pain, there are a few things you can do to treat ankle pain.
Rest – avoid putting weight on the injured foot and try to rest as much as possible. If you have to move around, use crutches or any kind of walking aid.
Ice – apply a bag of ice (or frozen veg!) to your ankle every couple of hours. Try to keep it in place for at least 15-20 minutes at a time. This can help with both the pain and swelling.
Compression – apply a tight compression bandage to the affected ankle, but take care not to wrap it too tightly either.
Elevation – keep your ankle raised as much as possible. Ideally, it should be above your heart. Use a stack of cushions to keep it comfortable.
Pain Relief – you can take some over the counter painkillers such as ibuprofen to reduce inflammation and paracetamol to help the pain.
Gentle Exercise – if the pain improves, keep the joint flexible by moving it in small circles or up and down. You don’t want your ankle to seize up after being immobile for so long. If it begins to cause more pain though, stop.
When Is It Time To See A Podiatrist
If you’ve been experiencing ankle pain for more than 3 days, it’s definitely time to see a podiatrist.
However, don’t wait that long if the pain is very severe and management at home is not improving your ankle pain.
A qualified podiatrist will be able to confidently diagnose the cause of your ankle pain and determine the best treatment options for you.
If your ankle pain is affecting your mobility and your life, book an appointment with our podiatrist in Sydney today.
