A swollen ankle can have a variety of causes. Often, your ankle may swell due to trauma caused by an injury, such as a sprain. This type of swelling is usually accompanied by pain and a reduced range of motion. One common reason why the ankle swells in women is due to pregnancy, which is generally not a cause for concern unless the swelling is sudden and excessive. Other causes of swollen ankles can include arthritis, which is usually accompanied by joint stiffness, warmth, and redness, as well as cellulitis, which is a bacterial infection that can cause fever and chills. If you have swollen ankles it is suggested that you speak with a podiatrist, who can diagnose and treat your condition. 

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Family Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Raleigh and Henderson, NC . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.