Why ankle hurts

Take a look at the best ways to get your running game back into tip-top shape. We know — ankle pain is rough. Now you know how to identify it, treat it, and prevent it. At some point in your running career, a sprain or stress fracture will slow you down, but with proper care and determination, you can get through it.

Original and complete article can be found on roadrunnersports. Skip to content. Facebook page opens in new window Twitter page opens in new window YouTube page opens in new window. Here are noteworthy signs that something more serious is up: Sharp pain in the front, back, inside, or outside of the ankle Dull, constant aching Pinching sensations Tenderness or bruising Stiffness or swelling in the joint Instability in motion Reduced ability to run, walk, or bear weight Not sure how to differentiate between ankle pain symptoms and foot pain in general?

Tibialis anterior tendonitis: This tendon runs down the front of your shin bone the tibia and inserts at the front of your ankle. Trouble with your tibialis anterior tendon may also cause those dreaded shin splints time for an ice bath! Achilles tendinitis: Your Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the back of the heel bone called the calcaneus.

If your ankle pain from running is felt on the back of your foot above the heel, it could mean your Achilles is inflamed. Posterior tibial tendonitis: This tendon connects the posterior tibial muscle at the back of your shin to the inside of your foot. When irritated, you might feel swelling, warmth, or redness along the inside of your ankle that worsens after Peroneal tendonitis: If your outer ankle hurts when running, it could be caused by a swollen peroneal tendon, which connects your lower leg bone the fibula to that bony lump on the outside of your ankle the lateral malleolus.

This technique is especially effective at treating running pain from sprained ankles. It can develop as a result of injury, but overuse and stress on the ankle are also possible causes. Arthritis and gout may be responsible in some cases. Even a poorly fitting pair of shoes might cause those sacs to get inflamed and cause pain. This is a condition that can develop slowly in some cases, and you might first begin to notice swelling or pain when you stand a certain way, like on your toes or leaning back on your heels.

Also known as progressive systemic sclerosis, scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease. Inflammation caused by scleroderma can also result in swelling and damage to various organ systems, tissues, and joints. You may develop some ankle stiffness and pain, as well as pain and stiffness in other joints. When the tendons supporting the arches of your feet get damaged, the arches lose support, resulting in a condition known as fallen arches.

This affects at least 8 million adults in the U. Your Achilles tendon connects your heel to your calf muscle. An injury can rupture or tear it, of course, but consider other reasons that you might wind up with a sore ankle. If you do a lot of walking or repetitive movements, the wear and tear can result in Achilles tendonitis. Aging makes the tendon get weaker, too. As a result, the back of your heel may feel swollen or painful. You may have trouble moving or flexing your foot.

This occurs when a previous injury accumulates damage to the cartilage and bone on top of the lower bone of your ankle joint. It may worsen during jumping or running, and you might even hear a clicking or popping sound from any loose cartilage. An infection can work its way into your ankle and cause pain. This could be the result of bacteria such as:. A doctor will likely perform a physical examination of your ankle and foot to check your range of motion, as well as to look for swelling and possible signs of infection.

In some cases, other diagnostic tests may be necessary to rule out fractures or structural injuries. For example, an ultrasound might show damage to a tendon.

Joint or bone damage might be detected via a CT scan. Bone spurs and cartilage loss can also be seen on X-ray. If you already have a diagnosis like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, especially if you have a history of previous episodes of ankle pain or pain in other joints, it can help your doctor get a handle on the cause.

A sprain occurs when your ligaments the tissues that connect bones tear or get overstretched. Most ankle sprains are lateral sprains, which occur when your foot rolls, causing your outside ankle to twist toward the ground. This action stretches or rips the ligaments. A sprained ankle often swells and bruises for about 7 to 14 days. However, it may take a few months for a severe injury to heal fully. A sprain is a common cause of ankle pain. Sprains are generally caused when the ankle rolls or twists so that the outside ankle moves toward the ground, tearing the ligaments of the ankle that hold the bones together.

Gout occurs when uric acid builds up in the body. Pseudogout is a similar condition where calcium deposits build up in the joints. Symptoms of both gout and pseudogout include pain, swelling, and redness. Arthritis can also cause ankle pain. Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints. Multiple types of arthritis can cause pain in the ankles, but osteoarthritis is the most common. Osteoarthritis is often caused by wear and tear on the joints. The older people are, the more likely they are to develop osteoarthritis.

This can cause pain in the ankles, if the ankles are one of the areas infected. You can take over-the-counter OTC drugs, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen , to relieve pain and swelling.

Definition Causes When to see a doctor. Products and services. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Arthritis and diseases that affect the ankle. Arthritis Foundation. Accessed Dec. Maughan KL. Ankle sprain.