Ankle pain is a sign of an injury, arthritis or overuse. Most ankle pain improves with rest, ice, compression, elevation and pain relievers. Injury to any of the ankle bones, ligaments or tendons and several types of arthritis can cause ankle pain. Common causes of ankle pain include:
Achilles tendinitis
Achilles tendon rupture
Avulsion fracture
Broken foot
Bursitis (joint inflammation)
Gout (arthritis related to excess uric acid)
Osteoarthritis (disease causing the breakdown of joints)
Osteochondritis dissecans
Plantar fasciitis
Pseudogout
Psoriatic arthritis
Reactive arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory joint disease)
Septic arthritis
Sprained ankle
Stress fractures
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Seek immediate medical attention if you:
Have severe pain or swelling
Have an open wound or severe deformity
Have signs of infection, such as redness, warmth and tenderness in the affected area or a fever greater than 100 F (37.8 C)
Cannot put weight on your foot
For many ankle injuries, self-care measures ease the pain. Examples include:
Rest - Keep weight off your ankle as much as possible. Take a break from your normal activities.
Ice - Place an ice pack or bag of frozen peas on your ankle for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day.
Compression - Use a compression bandage to reduce swelling.
Elevation - Elevate your foot above the level of your heart to help reduce swelling.
Over-the-counter pain medications - Drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) can ease pain and aid healing.
