Ankle pain may occur in your body due to various reasons, from minor traumas to some chronic medical disorders like arthritis.

Pain in the ankle may be because of underlying injuries to the bones, muscles, and other soft tissues that support the ankle.

Depending on the reason, the pain might go intense and make the pain unbearable. Swelling around the ankle bone also occurs during intensive pain around the region.

Ankle strains and sprains are some of the common causes of ankle pain. You can treat minor injuries at home, but people with severe problems need to consult a doctor if they have any indications about other medical disorders if it affects their daily life.

This article discusses some of the obvious reasons why a person’s ankle may hurt. Also, it discusses some of the best home care and medical treatments to relieve the pain.

Common Reasons Why Your Ankle May Hurt?

• Sprained Ankle

It is a rip in the tissues that means ligament tear. The tear happens with the tissue that connects your ankle bones. It occurs very often when your foot rolls sideways. The ankle may swell a little, and a bruise appears. 

You will not be able to put any weight on your ankle if it is in pain. A minor sprain can heal the problem within a few days. If yours is severe, you should wear a brief cast or start walking in a walking boot.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

Your immune system fights most of the pathogens. It assaults your joints by accident that we call rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis may affect them on both sides of your body. 

If you have it, both ankles will most be a pain. Pain, edema, and stiffness begin in the toes and front of the foot and progress back to the ankle day by day.

• Lupus

In Lupus, the body may attack healthy cells due to an autoimmune disorder. It may impact your ankles or cause kidney difficulties that lead to a fluid buildup in your joints. 

There is no immediate cure for lupus, but your doctor can prescribe drugs to help you manage it. Also, a healthy and nutritious diet and frequent exercise might be beneficial.

• Osteoarthritis

The ankle joint is a combination of two bones together. Cartilage protects the ends of each bone by acting as a cushion that wears off over time. When it is gone, the bones rub up against each other directly. It may lead to discomfort, stiffness, and loss of movement. 

A doctor may prescribe you some anti-inflammatory medicines and steroid injections to cut off swelling, braces to assist your ankle in moving less, and physical therapy to teach you strengthening exercises. In worse cases, one may need surgery.

• Ankle Fracture

Your ankle consists of three major bones: tibia, fibula, and talus. Pain, bruising, and swelling may occur in case of cracks or fractures. It is possible to see bare bones if it’s severe. 

You can also consult a doctor, who will determine the best course of treatment for you. To maintain the bones in place, they may apply some ointment over the area for one-time relief. 

• Bursitis

The gap between the tendons and bones in your ankle is filled by two fluid-filled sacs called bursae. They can become inflamed due to arthritis, overuse, high-heeled shoes, footwear changes, or heavy workouts after short breaks. 

To reduce discomfort and swelling, you can take anti-inflammatory medicines. Stretching and specific exercises can help to prevent future issues related to Bursitis.

• Gout

Gout happens when waste products, uric acid into balls that affect your ankle and big toe. It creates intense pain and swelling in the joints. 

You can treat Gout by following a good routine of diet and medicines in just a few days. If that doesn’t do the trick then you can get medication to help ease the pain and fix the issue.

At Home Care for Ankle Pain

• Medical Treatment

You can predict the treatment for ankle discomfort by considering the underlying problem. A doctor will treat an ankle infection with prescribed antibiotics. 

Doctors will also prescribe certain medicines to help regulate medical diseases, including gout and rheumatoid arthritis.

To improve healing from injuries, doctors prescribe over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief medication, some resting, and mild exercising. Severe ankle injuries and trauma may need surgery.

• Home Remedies

The RICE method is a primary treatment for minor ankle-related injuries. You can use this procedure at home to relieve pain and swelling around the ankle region.

The concept of RICE stands for – 

• Resting the damaged ankle joint allows it to heal and reduces the severity of the damage.

• Ice pack application over the affected area can help reduce swelling. You can put an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for just 15 minutes at a time many times a day.

• Compressing the ankle or wearing a compressive brace around the area can help reduce swelling and offer support by lowering the risk of future damage.

• Elevation by using many pillows helps the ankle with support and promotes blood and fluid flow to the heart.

When to see a Doctor?

If a person has had an injury that has limited their ability to move their foot and ankle, they should consult a doctor. In case of broken ankles, one should seek immediate medical attention.

People should also consult a doctor if their ankle pain symptoms intensify rather than improve. The doctor will perform a physical examination of the foot and ankle to look for deformities, evidence of infection, and skin abnormalities.

To diagnose the reason for the ankle pain, a doctor may also do certain tests, including Blood tests, which can aid in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors may also take fluid samples to test for the presence of bacteria, fungi, and viruses in the area. 

Final Thoughts

Hope you have understood the possible reasons why your ankle hurts. You can also prevent ankle strains by warming up before exercise or wearing appropriate footwear to avoid ankle-related problems.

But, all the sprains are not preventable. People can ensure no complications with proper aftercare.