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Ankle pain without trauma can happen for multiple reasons and cause difficulty in your day-to-day life. However, you do not need to stay in pain as it's very easy to see a doctor to assess the ankle and find out if you have a serious issue. Get answers to your questions and decide if your ankle pain warrants a visit to your doctor or urgent care.
Unfortunately, ankle pain can occur without an injury. The most common ankle issues are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, Achilles tendonitis, lupus, and irregular arches. Most often, these ankle injures occur for older individuals but can also affect anyone with fluctuations in weight, new shoes, and many other issues.
Any form of pain or discomfort affecting any area of the ankle is referred to as ankle pain. Ankle discomfort can occur for a variety of reasons. Injury, arthritis, and normal wear and tear are the most typical causes. You may experience pain or stiffness anywhere around the ankle, depending on the cause. It's possible that your ankle will swell, and you will not be able to put any weight on the ankle.
Here are some of the more common reasons for experiencing foot and ankle pain without injury.
Severe foot and ankle pain without injury can be caused by several underlying conditions. Here are some common causes:
Arthritis: Conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout can lead to severe pain in the joints of the foot and ankle.
Tendonitis: Inflammation of tendons, such as Achilles tendonitis, can cause pain without an apparent injury, especially after overuse or stress on the area.
Plantar Fasciitis: Inflammation of the tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot can cause severe heel pain, often worse in the morning.
Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae, small fluid-filled sacs near the joints, can lead to pain and swelling, often in the ankle.
Nerve Compression (Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome): Compression of nerves in the foot or ankle can cause pain, tingling, or numbness.
Peripheral Neuropathy: Often seen in diabetes, this condition involves damage to the nerves in the feet, leading to pain, burning sensations, or weakness.
Flat Feet or High Arches: These structural abnormalities can cause pain due to misalignment or increased pressure on certain areas of the foot.
Infection: Less commonly, infections like cellulitis or osteomyelitis can cause foot and ankle pain, especially if accompanied by swelling, redness, and warmth.
Blood Clots: A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can sometimes cause pain in the lower leg, including the ankle, without a specific injury.
Vascular Problems: Poor blood circulation or conditions like peripheral artery disease (PAD) can lead to pain, cramping, or discomfort in the feet.
If the pain is persistent or worsening, it's best to consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis.
People can experience ankle pain in various ways, depending on the underlying cause. Some common ways people experience ankle pain include:
Ankle Pain When Walking: This is often due to issues like arthritis, tendonitis, or ligament damage. Pain during walking can be sharp or dull and may worsen with prolonged activity.
Morning Stiffness and Pain: Some people experience stiffness or pain in the ankle first thing in the morning, which may improve as the day goes on. This can be associated with arthritis or plantar fasciitis.
Swelling and Pain After Activity: After physical activity or being on their feet for an extended period, individuals might notice ankle swelling and pain, often linked to overuse injuries, tendonitis, or bursitis.
Pain with Ankle Movement: Rotating or flexing the ankle may trigger pain, often seen in conditions like ligament sprains, tendonitis, or joint instability.
Sharp, Sudden Pain: Sudden sharp pain in the ankle, especially without an injury, can sometimes occur in conditions like gout, where crystals form in the joints, or with nerve compression syndromes.
Pain Radiating from the Ankle to the Foot or Leg: Conditions like tarsal tunnel syndrome or Achilles tendonitis can cause pain that radiates from the ankle to other areas of the foot or leg.
Chronic, Dull Pain: Persistent, aching pain in the ankle, even without activity, might be due to arthritis or joint degeneration.
Burning or Tingling Pain: Neuropathy or nerve issues like tarsal tunnel syndrome can lead to burning, tingling, or shooting pain in the ankle.
Pain While Climbing Stairs: People may feel ankle pain or instability when ascending or descending stairs, which can be related to Achilles tendonitis, joint instability, or ligament injuries.
Pain at Night: Some individuals experience worsening ankle pain at night, which can be associated with inflammatory conditions like arthritis or gout.
Each of these symptoms can suggest different underlying conditions, and if the pain persists, it's helpful to seek a professional diagnosis.
Sudden front ankle pain without an obvious injury can be caused by several underlying conditions. Some potential causes include:
Tibialis Anterior Tendonitis: Inflammation of the tibialis anterior tendon, which runs along the front of the ankle, can cause sudden pain, often triggered by overuse, such as walking, running, or repetitive movements.
Arthritis: Conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can cause sudden flare-ups of pain in the front of the ankle, even without a recent injury. Inflammatory episodes may lead to stiffness and discomfort.
Gout: This form of arthritis occurs when uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints, leading to sudden and severe pain, often in the front of the ankle. The pain can come on without warning and is often accompanied by swelling, redness, and warmth.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: Nerve compression in the ankle (tarsal tunnel syndrome) can cause sudden, sharp, or shooting pain in the front of the ankle. This condition is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome but affects the ankle.
Synovitis: Inflammation of the synovium (the lining of the joint) can lead to sudden pain. This condition can occur without an injury, especially in people with inflammatory joint conditions.
Osteochondritis Dissecans: This condition occurs when a small piece of bone or cartilage breaks loose in the joint, potentially leading to sudden pain and locking of the ankle, even without trauma.
Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae, small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the ankle joint, can cause sudden pain, especially with movement or pressure on the front of the ankle.
Nerve Entrapment or Irritation: Irritation or compression of the nerves in the ankle area can cause sudden, unexplained pain. This could be due to tight footwear, repetitive motions, or anatomical abnormalities.
Stress Fracture: Although more gradual in onset, stress fractures in the foot or ankle can sometimes present with sudden pain after repetitive activity. This can occur even without a specific injury.
Infection or Inflammation: Though less common, infections such as cellulitis or conditions like inflammatory bursitis or tendinitis can cause sudden ankle pain without any direct injury.
If the pain persists or worsens, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation.
Pain, swelling, deformity, and instability in the ankle joint are all symptoms of ankle arthritis. In addition, the tibiotalar joint, which connects the shin bone (tibia) to the ankle bone, is affected by ankle arthritis (talus). If you have arthritis, it can feel like stiffness or swelling and may loosen slightly with exercise. Additionally, you could experience ankle popping or crunching, instability, and slower walking. Lastly, changes in weather and pressure can cause twinging in the ankle.
Unusual foot and ankle fractures could be the first indicator of osteoporosis, a bone-thinning condition that affects more than 28 million Americans and causes 1.5 million bone fractures each year. Apart from long-term deformity, osteoporosis-related spine fractures can induce "band-like" pain on both sides of the body at the level of the shattered spinal vertebrae. In addition, when a bone fractures away from the spine, it creates pain and soreness in the fractured ankle. Swelling, redness, and bruising are also possible in the area.
Symptoms of ankle nerve damage depend on the cause, but most people will experience numbness, a sharp or burning pain, a tingling sensation like when the foot goes numb, and weakness in the foot. When a nerve is compressed, it can swell or have abnormal growth, like a lump or a swollen vein.
Ankle pain can come and go depending on the condition causing the pain. Additionally, changes in the weather or air pressure can affect the ankle, too, depending on the condition. Therefore, while people may experience arthritis in various forms, this does not always translate to chronic pain by frequent pain.
Next, long-term use of the ankle can increase pain but stop once you stop using the ankle. People who have injured their ankles in the past may occasionally feel pain. Even poor shoes or repetitive motions can cause issues, as can increase exercise or incorrect positions. If you are unsure of the cause of ankle pain, it's best to make an appointment with your primary care physician.
Our ankles often work from walking to exercise and more. Furthermore, we choose shoes based on style instead of by support levels. As your ankles are constantly working, pain is almost inevitable. You can, however, make decisions to help reduce the possibility of pain in the ankle.
Start by wearing proper shoes and stretching regularly. Next, listen to your body as it will tell you when it's time to make a change. Work on your balance too. Many non-stressful forms of exercise can strengthen the ankle, like yoga, pilates, and more. Avoid running or walking on uneven surfaces, too, as these can roll the ankle and cause injury.
The majority of ankle discomfort improves with rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers. For at-home remedies for ankle pain, follow your provider's advice. The RICE approach may be suggested by your healthcare practitioner (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). See your provider if the pain is severe or your ankle still bothers after a few days of at-home care.
Over-the-counter medications can help with ankle pain too. Most importantly, buy supportive footwear. Make sure your shoes give your feet and ankles enough support. Avoid wearing flip-flops, sandals, or shoes with too much wiggle room. When participating in sports, it is extremely vital to wear appropriate footwear. Basketball and volleyball, for example, can cause ankle injuries if the proper footwear is not worn.
Exercises loosen up the soft tissues in your feet, which helps to reduce discomfort. Because tightness in the Achilles tendon can sometimes lead to tightness in the plantar fascia, these areas are very critical to address. Continue reading for a list of pain-relieving exercises. In addition, you can seek physical therapy to learn the correct exercises and prevent future injury.
Not all ankle injuries are serious, but as you use your ankle often, you should get the injury assessed. If your symptoms do not improve within a day or two after an ankle injury, you should seek medical attention from a skilled ankle expert. Rest and good home care can help minor ankle injuries heal. When your ankle does not work correctly, it can affect your ability to walk and almost every other form of movement, meaning you should take it seriously if it does not improve in a couple of days.
To serve more customers, Portland Urgent Care works with various insurance companies. We also use various integrated medical resources that allow us to serve you. We provide same-day and walk-in appointments with the best experts for rapid relief for ankle pain. To manage pain and prevent chronic injuries, get a personalized treatment plan. Finally, together with imaging and x-rays, an in-house chiropractor can assist in diagnosing and determining the best course of action for recuperation.
Ankle pain can be a sign of a variety of injuries and illnesses. Walking can be difficult or impossible due to swelling, stiffness, and pain. Most ankle injuries improve with simple home remedies like elevating your foot and getting lots of rest. Ankle discomfort normally does not necessitate surgery. Call Portland Urgent Care if the pain is severe, you have a lot of swelling, or it does not go away after a few days.
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