Ankle injuries are common in athletes, especially those who play contact sports such as basketball, soccer, or football. They can occur from twisting, spraining, or tearing ligaments. The symptoms include swelling, bruising, and stiffness.
Ankle injuries are often caused by overuse, improper training, or poor technique. If left untreated, they can cause long-term damage to the ankle joint.
Ankle pain is usually caused by inflammation, muscle strain, or tendonitis. Inflammation occurs when the body produces too much fluid around the joints. This causes swelling and tenderness. Muscle strains happen when muscles become tight and painful. Tendonitis is when tendons become inflamed.
Ankle pain symptoms
Ankle pain is a common problem for runners, especially during the summer months when they are running outside. The most common cause of ankle pain is inflammation from overuse & loss of range of motion. Other causes include sprains, strains, fractures, and arthritis.
Ankle pain can also be a symptom of gout when uric acid crystals form inside the joints. The main symptoms of gout include joint swelling, redness, tenderness, warmth, and stiffness. Gout usually occurs after eating foods high in purines such as anchovies, shellfish, meat, organ meats, beer, wine, dried beans, peas, nuts, chocolate, and some fruits.
Other symptoms can include wearing shoes that don't fit properly, by walking too much. In-proper footwear is more common these days with the increase in fast fashion.
Finally, obesity can also cause an excess strain on your ankles due to the heaviness of the body weight on the ankle joints. This may result in pain, swelling, and stiffness.
What causes achilles tendinopathy?
Achilles tendinopathy is one of the most common overuse injuries among runners. It affects the tissue that connects the heel ankle bone to the calf muscle. When this tissue becomes irritated, it leads to inflammation, which can cause pain and discomfort.
Achilles tendinopathy is a condition where there is inflammation of the tissue between the heel bone and the calf muscle. This inflammation results in pain and soreness in the back of the heel.
The exact cause of achilles tendinopathy is unknown, but it's thought that repetitive stress on the tendon can lead to chronic inflammation. Over time, this inflammation can weaken the tendon causing it to tear.
Treatments for ankle pain at home
There are several treatments for ankle sprains at home. These include:
Ice packs: Apply ice packs to the affected area for 20 minutes every hour until the pain subsides.
Rest: Do not exercise while you have an injury.
Elevate the leg: Place a pillow under your knee so that your lower leg is higher than your upper leg.
Compression bandages: Wrap a compression bandage around the injured area.
Anti-inflammatory medications: Take anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve).
Physical therapy: A physical therapist can help you learn exercises to strengthen weak areas and stretch out stiff ones.
Orthotics: An orthotic device can reduce pressure on the injured area.
What are the signs of ankle arthritis?
Arthritis is a disease that causes inflammation of the joints. There are two types of arthritis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is another type of arthritis. Both types of arthritis affect the same part of the body; however, they have different causes.
Osteoarthritis is caused by ageing or trauma to the cartilage covering the ends of bones. As this cartilage wears away, the bones rub together leading to pain and stiffness.
Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an autoimmune disorder that damages the lining of the joints. The immune system attacks healthy cells in the joints causing them to become inflamed.
Rheumatoid arthritis may begin suddenly or gradually. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:
Pain and stiffness in the joints
Swelling
Redness
Loss of function
Muscle weakness
Joint deformities
Joints that are painful to touch
You should see your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
How to prevent ankle sprain
Preventing ankle sprains is important because they can cause long term damage to the ankle joint. If you get an ankle sprain, follow these steps to avoid reoccurrence.
Wear proper footwear: Choose shoes with good support and cushioning. Avoid wearing high heels as they put extra strain on the ankle.
Stretch before exercising: Before you start running or doing other activities that involve jumping or twisting, gently stretch your muscles.
Use ice: Use ice packs after an injury to relieve swelling and decrease pain. Ice will also help reduce inflammation.
Avoid overuse injuries: Try to limit the amount of time spent using the ankle. This includes resting, sleeping, sitting, and standing.
If you have any questions about ankle sprains, please contact our office today. Our doctors are here to assist you.
When Should You See Your Doctor About Ankle Sprain?
Ankle sprains occur frequently during childhood but usually heal without medical intervention. However, if you sustain an ankle sprain at any age, it’s best to seek treatment from a physician right away.
Ankle sprains are often misdiagnosed and treated incorrectly. They can lead to serious complications, including chronic pain and loss of motion. It’s important to be evaluated by a physician immediately following a sprain.
The severity of the injury determines whether you need immediate attention. Mild ankle sprains typically require no more than rest for several days. Moderate sprains may require immobilisation in a splint. Severe sprains may require surgery.
The longer you wait to seek care, the greater the risk of developing a problem. A delay in seeking treatment could result in permanent disability.
What is tibialis posterior dysfunction?
Tibialis Posterior Dysfunction (TPD) is a condition where the muscles around the ankle become weak and tight. This causes the foot to drop when walking, which may lead to pain and injury. The symptoms include pain in the back of the heel, difficulty standing for long periods of time, and swelling around the ankle. TPD is often caused by wearing high heels, poor posture while sitting at work, or having flat feet.
What is tibialis plantar fasciitis?
Tibialis plantar fasciitis is a painful condition caused by inflammation of the tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. The pain usually occurs when standing for long periods of time, walking up stairs, or running. Treatment includes rest, ice packs, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and orthotics.
What is bursitis in the foot or ankle?
Bursitis is the inflammation of the fluid sacs located between the bones in the feet and ankles. The pain associated with bursitis usually occurs when walking or standing for long periods of time. If left untreated, bursitis may lead to permanent damage to the joints.
What is flat feet?
When you have flat feet, the arches on the insides of your feet flatten out so that the entire soles of the feet touch the ground when you stand up.
Flat feet is a common and usually painless problem. They occur when the arches of the feet don't develop properly during childhood. Flat feet develop when there is an injury or from the normal wear-and-tears associated with ageing.
Flat feet can sometimes contribute to problems with your ankles and knees because they can cause misalignment of your legs. Flat feet don't require any treatments unless you're experiencing pain.
Can a chiropractor help with ankle pain?
Chiropractors can help you recover from ankle injuries by reducing pain and speeding up your recovery time. There is research to support the use of chiropractic for ankle sprains. Studies showed that patients with ankle sprains experienced less pain when chiropractic was added to their treatment program. Chiropractic care also focuses on improving mobility, which can be quite helpful when recovering from an injury and returning to your normal life.
Some of the most common chiropractic treatments for ankle sprains include:
Adjustments
Adjustments can be made to more than just the spine. The bones, ligament, and tendons in the ankles are designed to work in certain ways. A sprain can cause an ankle to be out of alignment, something most traditional doctors don't consider. An ankle adjustment will help put things back in place.
Strengthening Exercises
There are a variety of useful exercises that your chiropractor can take you through to improve strength and mobility in the ankle.
Get Treatment for Your Ankle Sprain Today
Ankle pain during sleep is common among people who play sports or work out regularly. Our team at LJ Chiropractic, Courtney, Sophia and Li Jen are experts when it comes to ankle conditions. We believe preventative chiropractic care and management prior to pain determines the longevity of joint movement and prevents injuries occurring, allowing you to lead an active lifestyle. LJ Chiropractic offers tailored treatment options to accommodate the varied needs of our patients. Contact us now for your ankle physical examination!
