Foot and ankle pain (2024)

FAQs

Foot and ankle pain? ›

Ankle pain can happen for many reasons. The most common causes include injuries, arthritis and normal wear and tear. Depending on the cause, you may feel pain or stiffness anywhere around your ankle. Your ankle may also swell, and you may not be able to put any weight on it.

Ankle pain can happen for many reasons. The most common causes include injuries, arthritis and normal wear and tear. Depending on the cause, you may feel pain or stiffness anywhere around your ankle. Your ankle may also swell, and you may not be able to put any weight on it.

There are different things that can cause ongoing ankle pain, and different treatments will apply to different causes. Arthritis in your joints, for example, can be a major cause of ankle pain. A torn tendon or a previous injury, like a break or a sprain, can cause ongoing problems.

Rheumatoid arthritis can affect the ankle joints in a similar way to other joints. It can cause stiff, painful, and swollen ankles. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, swelling, and pain, usually involving the joints.

Inadequate vitamin D can lead to osteoporosis, increased risk of falls, fractures and bone and muscle pain. In the foot and ankle, stress fractures of the metatarsal bones and ankle may be seen in those with vitamin D deficiency, as well as generalized foot pain.

Seek immediate medical attention if you:

Have signs of infection, such as redness, warmth and tenderness in the affected area or you have a fever over 100 F (37.8 C). Are unable to walk or put weight on the foot. Have diabetes and have any wound that isn't healing or is deep, red, swollen or warm to the touch.

Ankle gout typically presents with sudden and intense pain, redness, and swelling in the affected joint. The pain can be so severe that even the weight of a bedsheet can cause discomfort. Other symptoms of ankle gout include: Stiffness in the joint.

Sudden pain, swelling, trouble walking, and other symptoms can signal a need for medical attention. Waiting too long can lead to repeat injuries, more complex treatments, worse long-term results, and even arthritis. “Acute, sudden pain in the ankle with a trauma is often caused by an ankle injury,” Dr. Waryasz says.

Contact your provider if: You have sudden, severe foot pain. Your foot pain began following an injury, especially if your foot is bleeding or bruising, or you cannot put weight on it. You have redness or swelling of the joint, an open sore or ulcer on your foot, or a fever.

When should you not ignore foot pain? ›

You should schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider if: Foot pain lasts longer than two weeks with no improvement. You have sudden or severe foot pain.

Oral analgesic medications such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) or aspirin are often the first line choice for quick relief of foot pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen are also often recommended and can help to reduce inflammation at the same time.

Ankle pain usually happens for one of two reasons – injury, overuse, or disease. Still, there are many different types of injuries to consider. For instance, some injuries that cause pain in your ankle are: Fractures.

What are common causes of chronic ankle pain? Various injuries and conditions can lead to chronic ankle pain. One common cause is incomplete healing after a sprained ankle. Others include tendonitis, arthritis, alignment problems, cartilage damage, ankle impingement or stress fractures.

Many types of foot pain can be treated at home with the RICE method: rest, ice, compress, and elevate. If you can't put weight on your foot, your foot pain is severe, or you think you have an infection, call your doctor right away.

Arthritic ankle pain may not be felt in the joint itself, but in the middle or back of the foot. It can vary from a dull ache to sharp, stabbing discomfort. The pain may come and go or be low level and chronic, punctuated by flares.