The ankle joint can be injured while frequently exercising or participating in sporting activities. It is considered to be a common sports injury, and will typically require immediate medical attention. Ankle pain can be a result of a sprain, which is an injury to a ligament. Additionally, if the ankle is fractured, the pain can be severe, and it is often difficult to walk. An open fracture occurs if the skin over the broken bone splits, and an infection may occur inside the fracture. If the fracture is displaced, this generally indicates that the bones have slipped out of alignment. If you have any type of ankle pain, it is strongly suggested that you speak to a podiatrist who can properly diagnose and treat ankle pain as soon as possible.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Dr. Lee R. Stein from Lake Shore Foot & Ankle, PC. Our doctor 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
• Bursitis
• 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 one of our offices located in Chicago, Highland Park, and Uptown, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.