Most people do not spend a lot of time thinking about the health of their ankles, but this important joint is a workhorse for your body. When you trip but don’t fall, it’s because your ankles have kept you upright. If you need to switch directions in a hurry, it is the ankles that make it possible. One quick way to assess the health of your ankles is by taking a simple test. If you already are experiencing ankle pain, it is best to skip this test and seek out help from a podiatrist as soon as possible. Sit in a straight chair, extend your leg, and turn your ankle clockwise a few times, and then repeat counterclockwise. Try it on the other foot. No pain? That means your ankles are probably doing well. If one ankle is not responding as well as the other one, it may be an indication that something is wrong. Make a note of which part of the ankle hurts, how often the pain occurs, and what you are doing when it starts. This would be a good time to make an appointment with a podiatrist for an examination, diagnosis and possible treatment plan.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Robert Stein, DPM from South Shore Foot Care. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendonitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Cedarhurst and Franklin Square, NY . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.