The ankle is a mobile joint designed for mobility and to bear the body's weight. The ankle is composed of ligaments, bones, tendons and muscles. An injury to the joint or bones of the ankle results in pain and swelling. Over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help to relieve the pain associated with an ankle injury.
Sprain
An ankle sprain is an injury involving the ligaments within the foot and ankles. The ligaments are supportive structures that connect and hold the ankle bones and joints in place. A sprained ankle occurs when the ligaments in the ankles are twisted or stretched beyond their normal range. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 25,000 people experience an ankle sprain daily. Symptoms commonly associated with an ankle sprain include swelling, tenderness and pain in the ankles.
Peroneal Tendinitis
Tendons are fibrous tissue that connect bones to muscles. The peroneal tendons run behind the outer ankle bone, and become inflamed as a result of repetitive movement, overuse or excessive amount of stress being placed on the tendons. Activities such as basketball, hiking, racketball or running on an uneven surface can result in peroneal tendinitis. Specific symptoms of peroneal tendinitis are pain and tenderness along the perimeter of the ankles, stiffness of the foot and swelling around the tendons. The pain along the ankles is amplified while walking, standing or exercising, and it usually increases with time.
Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is a group of nerve disorders caused by diabetes, primarily in the feet and legs. Diabetic neuropathy is characterized by pain within the feet and ankles due to nerve damage as result of poor blood circulation through the feet. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, peripheral neuropathy is the most common type of diabetic neuropathy, and causes pain and loss of feeling in the toes and feet.
