Ankle Pain

Your ankles are flexible, weight-bearing joints that help you stand, balance, and move. The structure and function of your ankle make it prone to injuries that cause pain. You can treat mild ankle pain at home, but if your pain is severe, the team at Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation can help. For expert ankle pain care, call the office in Downtown Washington, DC, or schedule an in-office or telehealth appointment online today. 

What causes ankle pain?

You can develop ankle pain from an injury or an underlying medical condition. Common causes of ankle pain include:

Ankle sprain

Ankle sprains are a common cause of ankle pain. You sprain your ankle when your foot or ankle twists, overstretching, or tearing the ligaments.

Achilles tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon that attaches your calf muscle to the bottom of your foot.

Bursitis

Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that provide cushioning in between bones and soft tissue. Bursitis is inflammation of these sacs.

Arthritis

Arthritis in the ankle joint is also a common cause of ankle pain.

Flatfoot

Flatfoot means you have little to no arch in your foot when standing. This type of foot condition may affect the mechanics of your feet, placing more stress on your ankle joint, resulting in pain.

When should I get help for ankle pain?

Your ankle pain may resolve on its own with rest, ice, and over-the-counter (OTC) medication. However, if your ankle pain is severe or chronic, you need to schedule an appointment with your primary care provider.

The team at Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation recommends scheduling an appointment if you have an ankle sprain or other injury that’s affecting your daily routine. You rely on your ankles to get around, and bearing weight on an injured ankle may worsen the condition.

What happens during an ankle pain evaluation?

The Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation team conducts a thorough evaluation when you come in with concerns about ankle pain. They review the details of your pain, including when it started, the underlying cause, and activities that worsen the discomfort.

The team performs a biomechanical evaluation, assessing the structure, function, and biomechanics of your feet and ankles. This evaluation helps them better understand the underlying cause of your ankle pain so they can develop the most effective treatment plan. 

How is ankle pain treated?

Treatment for your ankle pain depends on the cause. Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation offers many innovative therapies to ease joint pain and restore mobility.

Your ankle pain treatment plan might include:

The team spends time talking to you about the root cause of your ankle pain and the treatments that can help ease the discomfort, prevent further damage, and help you get back to your active lifestyle.

Don’t ignore your ankle pain; call Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, or schedule a consultation online today.