Your ankles may not be the largest joints in your body, but they are constantly in use as you progress through your everyday routine. Ankle injuries are common, but the cause of your pain might not always be clear. Asking yourself questions about the timing of your pain and the outward condition of your ankle can help your doctor determine what is making your ankle hurt.
Step 1
Look at your ankle to determine if you are experiencing bruising and swelling along with your pain. Bruising is a common symptom of sprained ankles, especially if you've suffered a sports injury. Many types of ankle injuries lead to swelling, including sprains, fractures and arthritis.
Step 2
Try to put weight on your hurt ankle. You're more likely to be able to bear weight if the source of your ankle pain is arthritis or a minor sprain, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Fractures and more serious sprains may hurt so severely that you are unable to put pressure on your leg.
Step 3
Keep a journal that details chronic ankle pain in an attempt to diagnose the cause. If you tend to feel discomfort immediately upon rising, or the pain is fleeting depending on the weather, you may be suffering from arthritis, a degenerative joint disease.
Step 4
Take your temperature to rule out a fever. Fever and redness of the ankle that accompany pain may indicate a joint infection, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. This condition is potentially serious; seek medical attention immediately.
Step 5
Visit your doctor or local medical-care facility if icing, elevating your ankle, resting and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications does not relieve your ankle pain. Your care provider will perform a physical examination and take x-rays to get a fuller picture of the cause of your pain.
Things You'll Need
- Journal
- Thermometer
- X-rays
