1. Sprain May Mean Pain
The ankle joint has hinges and ligaments protecting it on either side. The ligaments work to hold the ankle in place and a fibrous joint capsule surrounds the joint. The ankle connects to the rest of the leg muscles by tendons. The tendons wrap around the ligaments and joint. An Ankle sprain occurs when ligaments overstretch due to an accident and they partially tear or separate. This usually happens when the ankle is twisted or turned suddenly during physical activity.
2. Fractures Involve the Bones
Unlike ankle sprains, an ankle fracture means the ankle bone is actually broken or chipped. Because the ankle is a hinged joint, sometimes all three bones of the ankle are involved. Depending on the severity of the injury, ankle fractures usually requires casting and complete immobilization. In some cases, ankle fracture requires surgery and pins to hold the ankle in place while it heals.
3. Tendonitis Causes Ankle Pain
Tendonitis is a condition caused by inflammation of the tendon surrounding the ankle joint. This usually occurs from overuse or injury or other medical conditions. The three main tendons involved in ankle tendonitis are the Achilles tendon, the posterior tibial tendon and the peroneal tendon. Inflammatory conditions such as arthritis can cause tendonitis. Doctors treat tendonitis much like a sprain, but usually add anti-inflammatory medications to help bring down swelling.
4. May Signal Disease
Ankle pain is often associated with certain diseases like arthritis and gout. Gout is when uric acids deposit in the tissues of the body resulting in pain. Arthritis is inflammation in the joints. People with compromised immune systems will often have swelling and pain in the ankles due to joint infections. Ankle pain occurs in diabetes patients when a bacterial infection of the joint is present. Never ignore persistent ankle pain as this may be a sign of a more serious medical condition.
5. Different Treatment Required
Each ankle injury needs special treatment. Treat ankle sprains with ice, elevation and rest. Allow ankle sprains time to heal properly or the risk of re-injury is increased. Include some ankle rehabilitation exercise as a part of treatment for sprains. Get X-Rays if you think your ankle is actually broken. Treat tendonitis and other ankle pain based on the cause. Arthritis and other medical conditions causing ankle pain require direct medical supervision.
