The ankle is a complex body part that consists of a network of ligaments, tendons, bones, and muscles. Due to how often it is used, the ankle is prone to common injuries and conditions such as sprains or arthritis, many of which result in ankle pain. Ankle pain can greatly limit your ability to walk or move freely, but addressing its cause is the easiest path to a solution.

Discover more about what causes ankle pain, its signs and symptoms, and how Comprehensive Foot Specialists in Huntington, NY, can properly diagnose your ankle condition or injury and provide the best treatment for your ankle pain.

What is Ankle Pain?

Ankle pain is associated with any type of pain or discomfort in either or both ankles. This pain can be a result of various causes, such as a sprain, injury, arthritis, inflammation, and more. Anyone of any age can experience ankle pain, whether you are a young athlete or someone of an older age.

Some common symptoms of ankle pain include:

What Causes Ankle Pain?

The most common cause of ankle pain is a sprain, which occurs when the ankle rolls, twists, or shifts from its normal placement. This places pressure on the ligaments and causes them to tear partially or completely. Ankle bones, ligaments, and tendons affected by an injury or condition can cause severe ankle pain.

How is Ankle Pain Diagnosed?

Ankle pain can be diagnosed with a physical exam performed by a board-certified physician. To start the examination, the physician will require information about your ankle pain, such as when the pain began, what you were doing at that time, and specific symptoms you are experiencing. The physician will then proceed to take X-rays to further examine if there is a sprain, fracture, or broken bone that could be causing your pain. In other cases, fluid from the ankle may be collected and checked for infection or other less obvious conditions.

How Comprehensive Foot Specialists Treat Ankle Pain

Treatment for a painful ankle is dictated depending on the root cause of the condition. For mild ankle sprains, rest, ice, compression, and elevation are commonly utilized. More progressive ankle pain may require certain medications, physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, and possible surgery. Ultimately, the treatment is driven by patient symptoms and physical examination in the office or hospital setting.

At Comprehensive Foot Specialists, we are committed to delivering the best treatment for our patients with a wide range of foot and ankle conditions, including ankle pain. Our highly trained team treats patients at our office in Huntington, NY with state of the art technology and procedures in a friendly and welcoming environment. Our podiatrists are certified in advanced procedures, such as Total Ankle Replacement (TAR), making Comprehensive Foot Specialists the ideal choice for care of ankle conditions or injuries that are causing you pain or discomfort. To learn more about the additional services we offer or to book an appointment, please contact us today.