Ankle Pain Treatment

Ankle pain is often caused due to an ankle sprain. Dysfunction in the foot or knee may also be contributing to ankle pain. In addition, various diseases and injuries can also lead to ankle pain such as fracture, damage or swelling of the tendons or cartilage, nerve and heel injuries, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout,,and blood vessel blockage in the legs.

Ankle pain may be associated with swelling, redness and stiffness of the ankle region. Pain can range from mild to severe, and may be felt on the inside or outside of the ankle joint, or along the Achilles tendon.

The diagnosis is usually made through a review of your medical history and a physical examination of the ankle. Imaging of your ankle may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Most patients with ankle pain are effectively treated with the following measures:

• Rest: Decrease or avoid the activities that worsen the pain.
• Ice: Apply ice over the painful area for 10 – 15 minutes 4 times a day, for the first few days.
• Compression using an ACE wrap or brace
• Elevate the injured area above heart level to decrease swelling and pain.
• Your doctor may prescribe pain relief medication.
• Stretching exercises keep joints flexible and improve ankle strength.
• Following an acute ankle injury that hasn’t healed well after 6-8 weeks, prolotherapy may be another option for treatment.
• Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a natural method of treating pain, which can be employed along with standard care to accelerate recovery.
• In some cases, depending upon the condition of the patient and the underlying deformity, surgery may be recommended.