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- Usually, ankle pain gets better with rest, ice and over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications. A healthcare provider will treat injuries and arthritis. Oftentimes, you won’t need surgery to treat these conditions. Severe ankle injuries — especially broken bones — may require surgery.
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Find out what you can do to ease ankle pain, what could be causing the pain and when to get medical help.
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1 day ago · Ankle problems are fairly common and can be caused by injuries like tripping or going over on your ankle. They can also be caused by a flare up of an existing problem or muscle weakness around the joint. It’s common to have soft tissue injuries in the ankle. Soft tissues include ligaments, muscles and tendons.
- Overview
- Possible Causes
- Care and Treatment
- When to Call the Doctor
Ankle pain refers to any kind of pain or discomfort affecting any part of the ankle. Ankle pain usually gets better with at-home treatments such as rest, ice and over-the-counter pain medication. A physical therapy program can help you strengthen muscles and prevent another injury. Providers treat more severe pain with braces and splits, injections and surgery.
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OverviewPossible CausesCare and TreatmentWhen to Call the Doctor
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What are the most common causes of ankle pain?
Pain in the ankle can result from several injuries and conditions. Some of the most common injuries that cause ankle pain include: Bursitis: Fluid-filled sacs called bursae cushion your bones when they move. Bursitis happens when these sacs become irritated and inflamed. Fractures: An accident or injury can cause bones to break (fracture). Ankle fractures range from mild to severe. Broken ankles can involve bones in any part of the ankle joint. A broken ankle causes ankle swelling and pain. Sprains: Sprained ankles are a common cause of ankle pain. An ankle sprain happens when ligaments stretch or tear. Sprained or twisted ankles happen when the ankle rolls forcefully out of its normal position. Tendonitis: Irritated, inflamed tendons are a soft-tissue injury called tendonitis. Tendons connect muscles to bones. Sometimes, a tendon can tear (such as an Achilles tendon rupture). A torn tendon may need surgical repair. Many diseases, disorders and conditions can also lead to ankle pain. These include: Arthritis: Pain and stiffness in the ankle joint can result from ankle arthritis. Arthritis happens when cartilage (tissue in joints that cushions bones) breaks down. The breakdown causes bones to rub together. Injuries and overuse can lead to arthritis, and it’s more common in people over 65. Several types of arthritis can affect the ankles. Common types include rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Flatfoot: A very low arch (or no arch at all) can cause pain and swelling in the ankles and feet. Sometimes, kids’ arches don’t develop normally as they grow up, resulting in the condition. Gout: A type of arthritis, gout results from a buildup of uric acid throughout the body. Typically, uric acid leaves the body in urine. Excess uric acid creates crystals that settle in the joints. Gout in the ankle can be very painful. Infection: Several types of infection, including cellulitis, can cause swelling and pain in the ankle joint. A bone infection called osteomyelitis can result from a staph infection.
How will my provider determine the cause of ankle pain?
Your provider will examine your ankle and foot. Providers check for swelling, pain and bruising. Testing depends on the location of the pain and whether you’ve recently had an injury. Your provider may order an imaging test such as an X-ray, CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan. These tests create images of bones and soft tissues so your provider can check for damage. If your provider thinks you have an infection, you may need a biopsy. Your provider removes a sample of tissue and sends it to a lab to check for bacteria. Advertisement
What can I do to relieve ankle pain?
Most ankle pain gets better with rest, ice and over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication. Follow your provider’s instructions for at-home treatments for ankle pain. Your provider may recommend the RICE method (rest, ice, compression and elevation). If pain is severe or your ankle still hurts after a few days of at-home care, see your provider. The most common home treatments for ankle pain are: Rest: If you’ve had an injury such as a sprain, you should stay off your feet for a while. Talk to your provider about how long you should rest. Crutches or a walking boot can help you get around without putting weight on your ankle. Ice: To reduce swelling, apply ice or a cold compress to the area for 15 to 20 minutes every few hours. Compression: Ask your provider about wrapping an elastic bandage around your ankle to reduce inflammation. Be careful not to wrap it too tightly. Elevation: Resting with your ankle elevated above your heart reduces swelling. You can also try to sleep with your foot elevated at night. Over-the-counter pain medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve pain and reduce swelling. Talk to your provider before taking any medication. Supportive footwear: Make sure your shoes provide adequate support for your feet and ankles. Avoid flip-flops, sandals and shoes that are too loose. It’s especially important to wear proper footwear when playing sports. Activities such as basketball and volleyball can lead to ankle injuries, especially without the right footwear.
How do healthcare providers treat ankle pain?
Most ankle injuries heal with at-home treatments. More severe injuries may require surgery. Treatment depends on what’s causing ankle pain. Common treatments for ankle pain include: Braces and splints: An ankle brace may relieve pain and stabilize your ankle. Some braces are better for certain activities. Ask your provider to recommend one that works best for your lifestyle. Joint aspiration: During this procedure, your provider inserts a needle into the joint and removes excess fluid. Joint aspirations relieve pain and swelling. Medications: Several types of medication can reduce inflammation and relieve ankle pain. Drugs to treat arthritis and gout can significantly reduce pain and swelling. Orthotic inserts: Orthotics are inserts that fit into your shoes. You can buy them from the store, or your provider can custom-make them for your feet. Orthotics support and stabilize the foot while ensuring proper alignment. Physical therapy (PT): A customized PT program will help you improve flexibility and strengthen muscles that support your ankle. Your physical therapist will create a PT plan with exercises and stretches designed just for you. Be sure to do your prescribed exercises and stretches regularly. Steroid injections: Your provider uses a needle to inject anti-inflammatory medication directly into your joint. Cortisone shots reduce inflammation and pain. Surgery: A wide range of ankle surgery procedures can repair torn ligaments or tendons. Some options relieve arthritis pain or correct flatfeet. Ankle joint replacement surgery can relieve pain and restore functionality.
How can I prevent ankle pain?
You may not always be able to prevent ankle pain. But you can keep your bones, ligaments and tendons strong by maintaining good health. To prevent ankle pain caused by injuries, you should: Maintain a healthy weight: Carrying extra weight puts excess pressure on your joints, including your ankles. Strengthen other muscles: By keeping other muscles strong, you’ll support your ankles and reduce your risk of injury. Stop if you feel pain: Don’t ignore pain. If a movement or activity is uncomfortable, take a break. See your provider if the pain doesn’t get better. Continuing to exercise through pain can make injuries worse. Warm up properly: Stretch before exercising. Muscles and soft tissues (like ligaments and tendons) are less likely to be damaged when they’re warm. Care at Cleveland Clinic Ankle Pain Treatment Find a Doctor and Specialists Make an Appointment
When should I call my doctor about ankle pain?
Call your healthcare provider if: Ankle pain is severe or doesn’t go away after two to three days of at-home treatment. Pain and swelling come on suddenly. The area is red or warm to the touch, or you have a fever, which could be a sign of infection. You can’t put weight on your ankle. A note from Cleveland Clinic Ankle pain is a symptom of many injuries and conditions. Swelling, stiffness and pain can make walking difficult or impossible. Most ankle injuries get better with treatments you can do at home, such as elevating your foot and getting plenty of rest. Ankle pain doesn’t usually require surgery. If the pain is severe, you have a lot of swelling or the pain doesn’t go away after a few days, see your provider. Several noninvasive treatments can help you get back on your feet. Medically Reviewed Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 12/26/2020. Learn more about our editorial process.
Dec 29, 2023 · Treatment typically involves simple measures such as resting, icing, and compressing the ankle, while more severe causes of ankle pain, like a bone fracture, may require prescription medication or surgery.
Nov 15, 2023 · What is chronic ankle pain? Chronic ankle pain is pain or discomfort in the ankle that has been present for a long time (typically, more than six weeks, and in many cases, months to even years).
Mar 1, 2024 · How Is Ankle Pain Treated? Ankle pain treatment depends on the cause. You can treat the pain at home in some cases, such as a mild sprain. But certain causes of ankle pain require medical ...
Choose which area of your foot hurts most to find out about treatments, when to get medical help and possible causes. Ankle pain. Heel pain. Toe pain. Pain in the top of the foot. Pain in the bottom of the foot. Pain in the ball of the foot. Get information and advice about different types of foot pain, including ankle pain, heel pain and toe pain.
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