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Ankle Pain services offered in Henderson, NV
Ankle Pain FAQs
What causes ankle pain?
Pain in your ankles or lower legs is likely to be a symptom of an injury or disease affecting the bones, muscles, cartilage, and connective tissues in the joint. This is especially true if it lasts for more than a day or your ankle swells.
Common problems that cause ankle pain include:
- Ankle sprains
- Arthritis
- Chronic lateral ankle pain
- Fractures (broken ankle bones)
- Gout
- Haglund’s deformity
- Osteochondritis (stiff ankle)
- Achilles tendinitis (inflammation)
- Achilles tendinosis (tissue breakdown)
- Achilles tendon rupture or tear
- Achilles tendon bursitis
- The Achilles tendon is a large piece of connective tissue at the back of your leg and heel. Injuries are common when participating in physical activities like playing sports.
What other symptoms might develop with ankle pain?
Depending on what’s wrong with your ankle, you might experience additional symptoms that could include:
- Dull aching
- Limited range of motion
- Inability to walk
- Swelling
- Weakness
- Stiffness
- Heat
- Redness
- Bruising
Mild ankle pain may go away after you rest the joint. However, if it doesn’t improve or is severe, you should seek help from Las Vegas Foot and Ankle Centers.
Treating ankle pain successfully depends on determining its cause and severity. Your podiatrist might need you to undergo X-rays or other diagnostic imaging procedures to see the damage in detail.
How is ankle pain treated?
Initial treatments for ankle pain typically involve first aid measures known as RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation). This involves keeping your weight off the ankle, using ice packs and compression bandages to limit swelling, and raising your ankle above your heart when seated.
When you visit your podiatrist at Las Vegas Foot and Ankle Centers, they recommend treatment based on your diagnosis. It might involve wearing a brace or cast to immobilize the ankle and a referral for physical therapy. You might also benefit from anti-inflammatory medications, including corticosteroid injections, for more persistent pain.
Would I need surgery for ankle pain?
Some causes of ankle pain, like severe fractures and ruptured ligaments, may require surgery. Your podiatrist uses minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to limit tissue damage and pain and reduce recovery time.
They may use pins, plates, or rods to repair broken bones. Connective tissue damage might need repair or, if severe, reconstruction, where your surgeon uses grafted material to rebuild the tendon or ligament.
