Ankle Pain

What is ankle pain?

Your ankles are complex joints that allow you to run, jump, and move throughout your day. The ankle consists of bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles that are prone to injury and degenerative wear.

Ankle pain appears when you experience discomfort in one or both of your ankles. This pain can make it difficult to walk and can be accompanied by other symptoms, including:

• Bruising and swelling
• Reduced range of motion
• Redness and warmth

Ankle pain can appear suddenly like after a fall or other acute trauma. At other times, ankle pain can develop slowly and become increasingly worse.

What causes ankle pain?

Sprains and fractures are the most common causes of ankle pain. The skilled team at Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine diagnoses and treats a wide range of foot and ankle problems, including:

• Ankle fractures
• Pilon fractures
• Talus fractures
• Calcaneus (heel bone) fractures
• Toe and forefoot fractures
• Stress fractures of the foot and ankle
• Sprained ankles
• Achilles tendinitis and tendon tears
• Plantar fasciitis and bone spurs
• Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction

Long-lasting (chronic) conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the ankle and lead to ankle pain.

When should I see a doctor for ankle pain?

You should schedule an appointment at Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine any time you experience ankle pain that lasts longer than a few days and doesn’t improve with self-care like rest and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine.

If you have severe ankle pain that prevents you from bearing weight on the injured foot or is accompanied by redness and swelling, you should seek treatment right away.

Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine has a walk-in injury clinic at their McKinney and Prosper, Texas, offices. They’re open Monday through Friday, and offer the same services as their full-time clinics.

How is ankle pain diagnosed and treated?

First, your provider reviews your symptoms and medical history. They carefully examine your foot, ankle, and lower leg and can take X-rays or order another imagining test.

After they diagnose your ankle problem, the team at Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine creates an individualized treatment plan to get you back on your feet. Treatment of ankle pain varies depending on your specific condition, but can include:

• Immobilization in a cast or splint
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Physical therapy

For timely and high-quality care of ankle pain, call Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine or book an appointment online today.