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Ankle pain

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Definition:

Ankle pain involves any discomfort in one or both ankles.

Alternative Names:

Pain - ankle

Considerations:

Ankle pain is often due to an ankle sprain. A sprain is an injury to ligaments, which connect bones to one another. In most cases of ankle sprain, the ankle is twisted inward, causing tiny tears in the ligaments. This makes the ankle somewhat unstable. The tearing leads to swelling and bruising, making it difficult to bear weight on the joint.

Once an ankle is sprained, the injury may take a few weeks to many months to fully heal. Often, the injured ankle remains a little weaker and less stable than the uninjured one. A proper recovery program can prevent this problem.

Other structures in the ankle that can be damaged and cause pain are tendons (which join muscles to bone), cartilage (which cushions joints), and blood vessels. Adjacent areas can cause pain to be referred to (felt in) the ankle -- these include the foot, lower leg, knee, and even hip.

Common Causes:

In addition to ankle sprains and other injuries, ankle pain can be caused by arthritis, gout , pseudogout , and infection.

Gout occurs when you produce too much uric acid (a waste product in the body). The extra uric acid gets deposited and forms crystals in joints, rather than being excreted in the urine.

Pseudogout is similar to gout. In this condition, calcium deposits in one or more of your joints, causing pain, redness, and swelling.

The types of arthritis that can cause ankle pain include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Chronic gouty arthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Septic arthritis

References:

Chorley JN. Ankle sprain discharge instructions from the emergency department. Pediatr Emerg Care . 2005; 21(8): 498-501.

Elden-Lee S. Diagnosis and management options of ankle sprain injury. Nurs Times . 2005; 101(24): 38-40.

• Review Date: 5/6/2007
• Reviewed By: Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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