One of the most common complaints among older adults is joint pain, usually the result of osteoarthritis or OA. This degenerative disease is caused by the gradual erosion of the weight-bearing joints, including the ankle. Many sufferers of osteoarthritis take medication to deal with the pain. But experts suggest several practical methods for reducing the effects of OA. First on the list is to maintain healthy body weight. Excessive body weight increases the load on the ankles, which must support that weight when you stand or walk. The second is stretching at the beginning of the day and before beginning any exercise. This helps to reduce muscle stiffness and improve joint flexibility. Stretching can also lower the risk of cramps, sprains, and strains. Low-impact exercise, such as swimming or walking, is also recommended. Finally, to take the weight off the ankles, experts suggest using a walking device. These aids also have the added benefit of improving balance, thereby avoiding falls. Please consult a podiatrist for more information on how to ease the effects of osteoarthritis in the ankles.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be 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
• 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.