Ankle Pain

Ankle sprains and instability are some of the most common causes of ankle pain. At Foot and Ankle Specialists, the team of premier podiatry specialists uses the most cutting-edge, minimally invasive treatment approaches to help you heal and reclaim normal use of your ankle quickly.

Jason Jolliffe, DPM brings advanced minimally invasive solutions for ankle joint problems including arthroscopic repair and ligament stabilization as well as ankle joint replacement.

There are two offices in Summit and Hamilton, New Jersey, so call the nearest one or click the online appointment feature for ankle pain help now.

What causes ankle pain?

Some of the most common causes of ankle pain are:

Ankle sprains

Ankle sprains occur when a fall, blow, or other accident causes one or more ankle ligaments — the stretchy bands that connect bones — to stretch excessively or tear. This leads to sudden ankle pain. Usually, ankle sprains occur in the outer ankle ligaments, but they can also affect inner ankle ligaments, or those above the ankle (high ankle sprain). 

Ankle instability 

Ankle instability describes recurrent “giving way” of the ankle, often with chronic pain. Ankle sprains that don’t heal correctly are the most common reason for ankle instability. 

Without proper rehabilitation after a sprain, the muscles supporting the ankle never develop the strength they need to support healing so that ankle sprains may happen frequently. 

Several other conditions could cause ankle pain, such as fractures, arthritis, or tendon tears or ruptures. 

When does ankle pain need treatment? 

Ankle pain isn’t normal: It tells you that there’s an injury requiring proper rehab. Some of the signs that you need to contact Foot and Ankle Specialists for help are: 

• Sudden severe pain
• Ankle keeps folding or giving out
• Popping noise or sensation at the time of injury 
• Ankle swelling
• Ankle-area bruising
• Inability to move your ankle up and down or side to side
• Difficulty bearing weight on your ankle joint

These symptoms may not be too bad at first, but ankle sprains often increase in severity without rehabilitation. The longer you wait to seek treatment, the more challenging it can be to heal and rehabilitate the ankle. 

How do you treat ankle pain? 

The team often combines treatments to help you heal and resume your normal activities as quickly as possible. Some of the conservative strategies for ankle pain are: 

• Activity rest
• Ice packs (20 minutes on, 40 minutes off)
• Light compression with an elastic wrap
• Elevation (keeping your ankle just above heart level)
• Physical therapy with prescribed ankle exercises
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other oral pain relievers

For severe sprains or ankle instability, surgery might be the best option. The team specializes in advanced minimally invasive procedures using the most high-tech protocols, leading to a faster recovery. 

Rehabilitation is crucial after surgery. The team guides you through the process so you can put ankle pain in the past forever. 

Call Foot and Ankle Specialists or book your appointment using the online scheduler now.