Causes of Ankle Pain

Ankle pain can be classified as one of the more painful foot problems as it is usually a result of an injury or more serious medical conditions such as arthritis or gout. Pain may also be persistent depending on the condition. The rest of this page will be discussing generic ankle pain but if you are seeking specific information on sprained ankles click here.

The ankle is the main joint connecting the foot to the calf muscle therefore it can be difficult to avoid certain movements. These movements cause pain for daily functions like standing or walking. Better Braces has a wide range of ankle supports to get you through the day which can reduce the pain.

Ankle Injuries

• Sprained ankles are extremely common in sporting activities that require high amounts of force or pressure applied to the foot such as running and jumping sports like basketball. 
• Twisting or rolling the ankle causes the ligament around the ankles to stretch and/or tear.
• Achilles tendinitis is also common as it is a result of excessive trauma and strain caused by impact with hard surfaces over time – common in runners.

The larger issue with ankle injuries is once an ankle has been sprained or injured, the tendons and ligaments are weakened and as a result become prone to the same injury happening again and possibly compounding on the initial sprain. As a result the ankle can become less stable and weaker than the other ankle. If a sprain has occurred, preventative measures should be taken to reduce risk of further serious injuries.

Medical conditions

The below are medical conditions which you should see a specialist for advice and treatment.

• Osteoarthritis (OA) degrades cartilage that forms the joints in the ankle, resulting in bone rubbing against bone which can cause pain.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes chronic inflammation in the joints affecting the foot and ankle.
• Gout is a highly painful type of arthritis where solid crystals form inside the joints, but can be treated quickly upon a doctor’s assessment.

Overall ankle pain can be attributed to serious conditions that require professional assessment from your doctor or a specialist – we cannot provide you professional medical advice on the medications to treat your conditions.

Types of treatments

Sporting injuries

Should be treated as soon as possible using the RICE method.

• Resting: allowing the injured area to completely heal
• Ice/cryotherapy: applying ice to the injured area as soon as possible to stop swelling and continuing ice application afterwards 2-3 times a day for 5-10 minutes.
• Compression: helps reduce the swelling and inflammation
• Elevation: elevating the injured area above your heart rate will help reduce swelling

Medical conditions:

• Anti-inflammatories
• Analgesics (pain relief medication)
• Gout treatments (see your doctor)

Better Braces does not offer any professional medical or health advice as every individual is different. We primarily focus on sporting products that give you the support you need to continue enjoying the sports you love and a healthier lifestyle. To get you back on your feet as soon as possible we have price match guarantees, money back guarantees and fast shipping. Find out more about our products designed for arthritis pain relief, injury prevention, and rehabilitation.