What’s Causing Your Chronic Ankle Pain?

Chronic ankle pain can be caused by multiple conditions that involve the ankle joint, upper foot, or lower leg often it’s caused by the damage that occurs after multiple ankle sprains. If you have chronic ankle instability, you can easily roll your ankle just from walking, stepping on a small pebble, or playing a recreational sport. After multiple sprained ankles, you’re more likely to experience pain while recovering as well as any pain associated with your worsening ankle instability.

An estimated 25,000 ankle sprains occur per day in the United States!

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is one that lasts and lasts and keeps coming back. If you’re suffering from chronic ankle pain, there are a few causes that could be leading to your pain. Fortunately, there are several treatment options available including total ankle replacement in Las Vegas. The ankle is largely made up of the joint, but many people also consider the upper side of the foot and lower part of the leg to be part of the ankle. Chronic ankle pain is most often caused by inflammation due to damage. The damage after a sprain, twist, strain, blow or previous injury, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis, gout, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and synovitis, among others.

Ankle Pain after Injury

This is one of the most common causes of chronic ankle pain. This can happen because of a number of reasons such as lack of early and appropriate immobilization. In severe cases it could be caused due to the lack of appropriately described strengthening exercises and mobility, development of late hypermobility and scar tissue, too much immobilization and continuing or secondary aggravation of the injured part. This is the reason why seeing a physical therapist or general practitioner immediately after an injury is very important. He or she will make sure you undergo strengthening exercises to reduce scar tissue and ensure the ankle heals properly.

Ankle Arthritis

Arthritis can affect any joint in the body, including the ankle joint. In fact, over half of the elderly population has some arthritis-related foot pain, while almost everyone suffering from rheumatoid arthritis will experience ankle or foot pain. Moreover, an injured ankle is much more likely to become arthritic. The two types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis affects older people, and although the onset is gradual, it progresses with worsening pain. After long periods of inactivity, the ankle may feel stiff. Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by red and swollen joints. The joints may also have outgrowths and be deformed.

Tendonitis

Characterized by inflammation along the tendons in the ankle, tendonitis can occur when patients fail to take proper care of a sprain or an injury. The main symptoms of tendonitis include ankle pain that doesn’t respond to treatment and lasts for much longer than would be expected, chronic lateral ankle pain which causes tenderness and swelling along the outside of the ankle, and pain that travels along the ankle into the foot.

Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs when excess uric acid builds up in the bloodstream and forms needle-shaped crystals. The sharp crystals lodge in tissues of the body, including the joints. For many people, the first symptom of gout is severe pain and swelling in the big toe, but it can affect any joint, including the ankles. Symptoms include a rapid onset of severe pain, which usually reaches its peak after 4 to 12 hours. Lingering pain from gout attacks can persist for weeks, and later attacks tend to last longer and affect more joints. After years with the disease, lumps of uric acid, called tophi, may form beneath the skin around the ankles.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a condition that causes nerve compression, especially if there had been a previous injury or certain diseases like diabetes or arthritis. Ankle pain can occur due to this condition. The main symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome include burning pain in the sole of the foot, pain at night, numbness or tingling near the bottom of the foot, pins-and-needle sensations, decreases sensitivity, and pain that worsens when you stand.

Synovitis

Synovitis can also cause chronic pain in the ankles. This condition is where there’s an inflammation in the synovial membrane when fluid collects in the joint. Pain and swelling are triggered when you move the joints.