New Yorkers move with their feet and ankles. Every day they walk to the subway, to work, and to entertainment venues. Yet sometimes when hurriedly walking along crowded and uneven sidewalks, stepping off curbs, or going up and down subway stairs, New Yorkers put their ankles at risk of a sprain—one of the most common ankle ailments.
Each year, doctors treat more than 2 million acute ankle sprains. Yet there are other causes of ankle pain.
At New York Bone & Joint Specialists, we have foot and ankle specialists trained in ankle pain treatment for whatever is causing a crimp in your step.
As a leading orthopedic and sports medicine practice, our physicians offer both conservative therapy and surgical options, if necessary, to eliminate your ankle pain. We know New Yorkers live a fast-paced life, and we’re here to help you get back on your feet quickly so you can enjoy all the city has to offer.
Understanding Ankle Pain: Causes and Symptoms
Your ankle connects your lower leg to your foot with three main bones—the tibia (shin bone), the fibula (calf bone), and the talus (ankle bone). Holding these bones together and giving the ankle its ability to move up, down, and sideways is an interlocking system of ligaments, cartilage, muscles, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. Walking, jumping, and climbing steps are all possible because of your ankle joint.
The most common cause of ankle pain is trauma to the joint, typically from a fall or sporting injury. But sudden ankle pain can also develop without a discernible injury or swelling.
Traumatic injuries to the ankle:
Ankle sprains and strains. A sprain affects the ligaments that connect bones, while a strain affects the tendons that connect muscle to bone. Either can be injured when pushed beyond their normal range of motion.
Recurrent ankle instability. Sometimes people develop recurrent ankle sprains after an ankle sprain tears ligaments that are important for stability. The pain may become chronic.
Achilles tendinitis. The tendon at the back of the ankle develops small tears. The ankle may feel tender, warm, or appear slightly swollen.
Ankle fracture. An ankle fracture is a break in any of the bones in the ankle.
Overuse injuries. Achilles tendonitis and stress fractures usually occur due to overuse from strenuous activities and exercise, such as dancing and intense running.
Ankle pain without an obvious injury or cause could be due to:
Rheumatoid arthritis. An autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation in the joints.
Osteoarthritis. The cartilage cushioning the bones wears down, causing friction between the bones.
Lupus. Another autoimmune disease, lupus can lead to inflammation and fluid buildup in the joint.
Osteochondral defect in the ankle. An osteochondral defect is a crack in the cartilage lining the bone, frequently on the talus bone.
Gout. Uric acid forms sharp crystals in the ankle joint, causing swelling and pain.
Infection. An infection can spread to the ankle or skin around the joint.
A mild ankle sprain may respond in a few days to at-home treatment like rest, medications, icing, and elevating the foot. If pain persists beyond that point or you suspect a serious injury, see a doctor for further evaluation and treatment.
Types of Ankle Pain by Location
General ankle pain symptoms:
- Pain in the ankle
- Intense pain when putting weight on the affected foot
- Tenderness in the ankle
- Swelling and bruising
- Restricted range of motion
- A feeling of instability in the ankle
- Popping sensation or sound if the ankle was injured
Ankle pain may be felt on different parts of the joint.
Inner Ankle Pain (Medial Ankle Pain) due to:
Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) is compression of the tibial nerve in your ankle. Pain is felt on the inside of the ankle; other symptoms include numbness, tingling, and a burning sensation.
Posterior tibial tendonitis is inflammation in the tibial tendon that supports the arch of the foot. Symptoms include swelling along the inner ankle, tenderness when the foot is flexed, and weakness in the ankle when “pushing off.”
Outer Ankle Pain (Lateral Ankle Pain) due to:
Peroneal tendonitis is inflammation in the tendons that run along your outer ankle bone and the side of your foot. Commonly caused by a sprain or repetitive motions. Pain intensifies with activity such as walking or running. Swelling, redness, or warmth around the tendon are characteristic of lateral ankle pain. As the tendon thickens, a mass or nodule may form on the tendon.
Chronic anterior lateral ankle pain syndrome causes pain along the outer side of the ankle as the result of a sprain. The pain is dull but increases when walking or exercising.
Pain on Top of Ankle (Anterior Ankle Pain)
Extensor tendonitis affects the tendons on the top of your feet, with pain worsening when the foot is engaged. Stiffness, swelling, and discoloration may also be present. The condition is due to overuse injuries.
Anterior impingement, or “footballer’s ankle,” is a thickening of the connective tissue in the ankle joint, typically due to a traumatic ankle sprain or repetitive motions. Pain in the front of the ankle and locking of the ankle are common symptoms.
Pain Inside the Ankle
Pain deep inside the ankle can be caused by sprains, cartilage damage (osteochondral defect), arthritis, and nerve compression (TTS). Stress fractures and a complete fracture of the ankle bone can also manifest as intense pain deep inside the ankle.
Comprehensive Ankle Pain Diagnosis
Ankle pain can be caused by so many conditions or injuries. Therefore, it’s important to see a foot or ankle specialist for an exact diagnosis. The doctors at New York Bone & Joint Specialists use state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and skills to pinpoint the source of your ankle pain, which will determine your treatment options.
To diagnose your ankle pain, our foot and ankle specialist will:
- Conduct a physical examination to assess pain points and tenderness by touch and moving the joint
- Order imaging tests (X-ray, MRI, or CT scan) to rule out other possible diagnoses, such as an ankle fracture, and to determine any ligament or tendon damage as well as cartilage degeneration
Ankle Pain Treatment Options
Ankle pain treatments start with conservative methods, such as:
RICE method to bring down swelling and pain:
- Rest from any activity that causes ankle pain
- Ice the joint for 15 minutes several times a day
- Compress the ankle with an elastic bandage
- Elevate your ankle above your heart as often as you can
Other non-surgical treatments include:
- Physical therapy to improve the ankle’s range of motion and strength
- Medications including non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (naproxen and ibuprofen) to reduce pain
- Corticosteroid injection to reduce inflammation
- Braces to stabilize the ankle while it heals and orthotics to support your foot and ankle
- Occupational therapy for balance training and weight-bearing exercises
Advanced Treatment Options
Conservative methods are effective in treating ankle pain. However, if pain persists after non-surgical treatments or if the ankle is severely damaged, surgery may be an option.
Ankle arthroscopy. This minimally invasive surgery uses small incisions to remove bone and cartilage fragments.
Ankle fracture surgery. Metal plates, screws, or small metal wires are implanted to stabilize fractured bones.
Ankle fusion. The two bones of the ankle, the tibia and the talus, are fused and held in place with plates and/or screws.
In general, mild sprains heal in a couple of weeks. A broken ankle without surgery could take up to six weeks to mend. Surgical recovery may last months. Your doctor will tell you when you can return to your normal activities.
Why Choose New York Bone & Joint Specialists
If you’re looking for a foot and ankle specialist near you in New York City, New York Bone & Joint Specialists are here to help.
- We provide our patients with the services of world-class board-certified specialists trained in foot and ankle conditions
- We focus on saving and healing your joints for a long and healthy lifetime
- More than 90% of our orthopedic cases are resolved without surgical intervention
- Our advanced diagnostic equipment ensures an exact diagnosis
- Comprehensive treatment, from diagnosis to recovery, tailored to each patient
- We emphasize conservative treatment to ensure complete recovery
- We have the surgical expertise for successful outcomes if surgery is needed
- Surgical interventions coupled with conservative treatment ensure complete recovery for every patient
- We partner with a physical therapy team to help you achieve full recovery
- We have several locations around the city for your convenience
- We work with many well-known insurance providers
- Our patients can attest to our professionalism and proven results
Living with Ankle Pain in NYC: Getting Back to Your Life
The goal of our treatment is to eliminate your pain and get you back to your life as quickly as possible—whether exercising, seeing friends, or going to work.
We want to keep you healthy even after our treatment. After you’ve recovered from ankle pain, take these steps to prevent another ankle sprain or injury:
- Warm up and stretch before you work out
- Return to exercise or sports only after being given the green light by your doctor
- Rest after intense exercise
- Stop what you’re doing when you feel pain
- Watch out for any tripping hazards, such as uneven sidewalks or slippery steps
- Wear comfortable shoes when walking. Leave the high heels for special occasions
