According to the Mayo Clinic, tendonitis is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon in the ankle. Tendons are thick and fibrous bands of tissue that connect muscle to bone. Sudden injury or repetition of a particular ankle movement can cause ankle tendonitis. Most cases of ankle tendonitis are treated conservatively with rest, ice, oral medications and physical therapy. However, severe cases may require surgery. A patient experiencing ankle problems should be aware of symptoms associated with ankle tendonitis and know when to seek treatment.
Pain
The Mayo Clinic states that pain is a commonly associated symptom of ankle tendonitis. Pain occurs because in ankle tendonitis because the ankle tendon is aggravated or damaged, which can cause pain. Specifically, a patient may feel a dull, achy pain in the ankle tendon when moving the ankle a certain way. Pain is typically located over the tendon that is aggravated and rarely spreads to other parts of the ankle. Furthermore, the intensity of pain is related to the degree of ankle tendonitis. In this case, a patient should avoid excessive use of the ankle until pain subsides. Treatment with ice therapy and oral medications may help control ankle tendonitis pain.
Tenderness
Medline Plus, of the National Institutes of Health states that tenderness is a symptom associated with ankle tendonitis. Tenderness is described as pain to the touch, specifically over the injured ankle tendon. This occurs because additional pressure over the damaged ankle tendon can aggravate nerves in the tendon that cause tenderness. In this case, a patient should rest the affected ankle, wear loose-fitting shoes, apply ice and take oral medications if necessary to relieve tenderness. If a damaged ankle tendon is severely tender, the patient should see his doctor.
Swelling
Swelling is associated with ankle tendonitis because a damaged ankle tendon can release chemical signals that cause swelling. These chemical signals allow excess fluid to collect in the area of the damaged tendon and cause swelling. To treat swelling, a patient should elevate his ankle above the level of his heart to allow gravity to pull fluid out of the ankle. In addition, a patient can apply ice to the affected tendon to reduce swelling. Furthermore, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be taken to reduce swelling. In the case of severe swelling, a patient should see his doctor.
