Recovering from an ankle injury or ailment can result in a long period of inactivity, which can cause the leg and ankle muscles to weaken. Before returning to normal activity levels, such as sports, work, or everyday errands/chores, experts often recommend beginning a course of light exercises to increase strength and flexibility in the joint. When embarking on such an endeavor, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist who can give you guidance on which exercises are most beneficial for your particular injury and help plan a schedule for adding repetitions and frequency. Many simple exercises that benefit the ankle joint can be performed sitting in a chair. It is usually suggested to do three repetitions of each exercise two or three times a day to start, gradually building up from there. It is important not to re-injure the joint as you continue to strengthen it. Pay attention to the pain level, and stop if you feel severe discomfort or new pain. Patients who are recovering from an ankle injury should consult with a podiatrist for a proper recovery plan. 

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Coastal Foot & Ankle Wellness Center, LLC. Our doctors 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 tendonitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• 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 St. Augustine, and Palatka, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.