Ankle pain can be debilitating and significantly impacts your routine life and mobility if you do not seek timely treatment. At Pain Management NYC, you can look forward to comprehensive evaluation of your joint and the highest quality care for your pain. Dr. Leon Reyfman is a highly-rated pain management specialist and offers the best solutions for your pain-related issues. He focuses on identifying the causes of pain in your joint, looks for signs of injury, and recommends the safest, most effective options that bring relief. Dr. Reyfman understands how essential your ankle is for mobility and provides treatments that strengthen your joint and restore its flexibility and range of motion.
Ankle pain is very common. The ankle joint consists of a complex structure of bones and soft tissues that are vulnerable to injury and pain. Ankles help support body weight and allow for a wide variety of body movements throughout the day, and any kind of pain or discomfort in the ankle or around any part of the ankle can be very discomforting. If you have intense pain in your joints, it may be difficult to stand, walk, and perform routine activities.
Sometimes, ankle pain comes on suddenly, especially if it results from an injury. In other cases, it may develop gradually and worsen over time.
Can You Have Ankle Pain Without an Injury?
Yes. Ankle pain can occur without an injury. The most common ankle issues are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, Achilles tendonitis, lupus, and irregular arches. These conditions usually affect people in advanced age, but anyone with fluctuations in weight, new shoes, and underlying health issues may end up with ankle pain.
You may experience pain or stiffness anywhere around the ankle, depending on the cause. Your ankle may swell, and you will not be able to put any weight on the ankle. For people sensitive to barometric pressure, even weather changes can cause sudden joint pain.
Read on to learn why you are having ankle pain and swelling without apparent injury and when you need medical assistance.
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Common Causes of Ankle Pain Without Injury
Rheumatoid Arthritis
It is an autoimmune disease in which your body’s immune system begins attacking healthy tissue, including the lining of joints like your ankle joints. The body mistakenly assaults its own joints as it would be a harmful pathogen that causes excessive inflammation in the joints. Almost 90% of people with rheumatoid arthritis develop symptoms in their feet or ankles.
Symptoms include swelling and stiffness, which usually start in the toes and move toward the ankles.
Osteoarthritis
It is another condition linked to ankle pain that develops when the cartilage between the two joints wears down. This causes the bones to scape or rub up against each other, which results in stiffness, pain, and loss of motion. As the problem worsens, it can cause sudden ankle pain without any sign of injury.
For people with osteoarthritis, ankle pain is worse when they wake up in the morning.
Achilles Tendinitis
Ankle pain while you are walking may be a sign of Achilles tendon, even though there is no injury to the joint. A heavy or sudden strain can cause tiny tears in the Achilles tendon, which connects your calf muscles to your heel. It makes the back of the ankle to swell or feel warm and tender just above the heel. You will also feel discomfort or soreness in the ankle.
Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can lead to unexpected swelling and pain in the ankle even though there is no damage or injury to the joint. When the body is impacted by lupus, it attacks its own tissues. This can cause inflammation and buildup of fluid, particularly in the joints, which results in muscle and joint pain in various parts of the body, including ankles.
Most people with lupus end up with arthritis in their feet.
Flat Feet and Cavus Feet
Both these conditions can affect how you walk. The arch is the space between your heel and the ball of the foot, and it is supposed to create a hollow area or a curve when you stand up. No curvature in the arch of the foot means you have flat feet, while an extreme curvature in the arch of the foot means you have higher arches than usual. To compensate for the uneven arches, other parts of the foot are frequently strained, which can result in pains and aches in the ankles.
Gout
Gout is an inflammatory condition, a form of arthritis, in which uric acid crystallizes and collects in the joints of the foot, which causes intense pain and swelling. While the big toe is the place where gout usually attacks, it can occasionally affect the ankle too. Gout is a painful condition that causes painful flare-ups or attacks.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is a calf muscle condition caused by overuse. It usually occurs if you are a runner or enjoy weekend sports like tennis or racquetball that involve a lot of movement. The Achilles tendon goes from your calf muscles to your heel bone, and any damage or injury can lead to pain and inflammation in the ankle.
While it may occur due to overuse injury, a sudden increase in the amount or intensity of exercise, tight calf muscles, and advanced age can also result in Achilles tendonitis.
Bursitis
Ankle bursitis is a condition that occurs when the bursa on the outside of the ankle gets inflamed. Our ankle has two fluid-filled sacs, or bursa, that cushion the space between the tendons, muscles, and bones. The bursae can become inflamed due to overuse, injury, or stress on the ankle, as well as inappropriate footwear.
Soreness and pain at the back of the ankle can result in limping or stiff mobility, and your ankle may feel stiff, tender, warm, and swollen.
Plantar Fasciitis
The plantar fascia is a thick band of fibrous tissue on the bottom of the foot that connects the toes to the heel bone. When this tissue is stretched out too much or subjected to increased tension, it becomes inflamed and causes stabbing pain in the center and inner side of the heel. It can make the entire foot feel the discomfort, including the ankle.
Weakness in the plantar fascia can also put additional strain on the ankle and knee. The pain is most noticeable when you first wake up.
Inappropriate Footwear
Ankle pain can result from wearing inappropriate footwear or tight-fitting shoes. Shoes that lack support can put stress on your joints. They can put your hips and spine out of alignment, increase pressure on the forefoot, and alter joint position in the ankle, which results in inflammation and pain.
When you work or exercise, your shoes should provide a stable and supportive platform that aligns your ankles and minimizes the strain on your ankle joints, tendons, and muscles.
Arthritis in the Ankle – What Does It Feel Like?
Ankle arthritis can affect the tibiotalar joint, which connects the shin bone (tibia) to the ankle bone. As the cartilage in joints is gradually lost, it results in bones rubbing against each other. It results in intense pain, loss of joint function, and limited motion.
Arthritis in the ankle can cause the following symptoms:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Deformity in the affects joints
- Instability in the ankle joint
- Ability to walk normally
Some people experience ankle popping or crunching, and instability, which affects their movement. Changes in weather and pressure can also cause twinging in the ankle.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a bone-thinning condition that increases the risk of bone fractures, especially in the feet. It is frequently referred to as the silent crippler since it progresses without any symptoms or is not diagnosed until a person experiences pain from a bone fracture.
Signs of osteoporosis in the ankle are:
- Unusual foot and ankle fractures
- Long term deformity
- Pain and soreness in the fractured ankle
- Swelling, redness, and bruising in the affected area
- Pain and changes in mobility if you fracture a bone without realizing it
There are no early warning signs as there are with some other conditions.
Nerve Damage in the Ankle – What Does It Feel Like?
Ankle nerve damage occurs when you have a damaged or compressed tibial nerve. The tibial nerve runs through the tarsal tunnel, a passage in your ankle made up of bones and ligaments. When a nerve becomes trapped within the narrow tunnel, it can cause pain anywhere from the inside of the ankle to the heel, arch, or toes.
People with nerve damage experience a sharp burning pain, tingling sensation, numbness, or weakness in their feet. When a nerve is compressed, it can swell or have abnormal growth, like a lump or a swollen vein.
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Can Ankle Pain Come and Go?
Various conditions and injuries can lead to chronic ankle pain. Incomplete healing after a sprained ankle, lack of proper treatment, or changes in weather and air pressure are some of the reasons for ankle pain that comes and goes. However, people who experience arthritis in various forms may have different reasons for their discomfort.
Long-term use of an injured ankle can increase pain, but it stops once you stop using the ankle. People who have injured their ankles in the past may occasionally feel pain, especially when they are on their feet for long. Ill-fitting shoes, an increase in exercise, incorrect position, or repetitive motions can also lead to pain in the ankle.
If you are not sure what is causing your ankle pain, it is best to consult a pain management doctor. Persistent pain can affect the joint and lead to complications that require invasive treatment.
Treatment Options for Relieving Ankle Pain
In many cases, ankle pain can be treated with basic, self-care measures that include:
- RICE – It is one of the most basic at-home treatments for minor ankle pain, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This combination can help relieve pain and swelling in the ankles.
- Rest – If your ankle is hurting due to repetitive movements, stop what you are doing and take weight off the sore ankle. Avoiding any activity that triggers pain gives your ankle a chance to heal.
- Icing – Apply an ice pack to the painful area of the ankle, several times a day for up to 20 minutes. It will ease the inflammation and pain.
- Compression – Wrap the ankle with an elastic medical bandage to control swelling.
- Elevation — Lifting the ankle and keeping it above heart level takes the flow of blood away from the ankle and helps to keep the pain and inflammation down.
- OTC pain medications — Over-the-counter pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medications can reduce swelling and discomfort.
- Orthotics and insoles — Wearing orthotics or insoles with your shoes can reduce the effect of shock-causing ground impacts, which can aggravate the ankle joint. Orthotics also provides extra ankle support while improving stability and foot and ankle alignment. If you play sports, make sure to wear appropriate footwear. Sports like basketball and volleyball can cause ankle injuries if the proper footwear is not worn.
- Light exercise and stretching – Exercises loosen up the soft tissues in your feet and alleviate discomfort. As the tightness in the Achilles tendon can sometimes lead to tightness in the plantar fascia, it is essential to address these areas. Consult your therapist or doctor to learn about the correct stretches and exercises that can help with healing and prevent further injury.
If your ankle pain is severe and does not improve with these self-care methods, call your doctor. Some ankle injuries and conditions require stronger treatments, including prescription medications, injections, and surgery.
When to Contact a Doctor?
You should seek medical attention if you develop pain in the ankle without injury and any of the following:
- Pain that affects daily activities like walking or standing
- You feel faint or nauseous
- Pain that does not improve after 2 weeks
- Tingling or loss of sensation in the foot
- Severe ankle pain with swelling
- The ankle has changed shape and appears to be at an odd angle
Your doctor will assess the ankle to find out if you have a serious health issue. He may order tests, including imaging and X-rays, to learn more about your joint condition and recommend the best treatment.
Are Ankle Injuries Serious?
Not all ankle injuries are serious, but as the ankle joint plays a significant role in your mobility, get your injury evaluated as soon as possible. Rest and good home care can help with minor or temporary ankle issues.
If you have pain, swelling, or stiffness in your ankle, seek immediate medical attention to prevent complications. Any ankle condition that is left untreated can turn serious, affect your ability to walk and restrict almost every other form of movement. Severe ankle pain needs professional diagnosis and treatment right away.
Call Pain Management NYC today and schedule an appointment with Dr. Leon Reyfman for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of your ankle pain. He is the best pain management doctor in NYC and provides the highest level of care that delivers quick relief. Dr. Reyfman works with you to pinpoint the problem in areas near your ankle that are causing discomfort and affecting joint function. He comes up with a personalized treatment plan to manage pain and prevent chronic injuries and ensures you are back to performing your normal activities as soon as possible.
Boleslav Kosharskyy, MD, is a top-rated, best-in-class interventional pain management doctor. He is board-certified in Anesthesiology, Interventional Pain Medicine, and Palliative Care.
Dr. Kosharskyy is an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Rehabilitation Medicine at Albert Einstein Medical College. He’s also the Associate Medical Director of Pain Medicine and Director of Anesthesia for the Joint Replacement Center at Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein Medical College.
He is an active member of the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA), the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA), and the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists (NYSSA)