Ankle Care

If you’ve tried home remedies and rest for your ankle pain and it doesn’t improve, you should see a specialist who can diagnose your condition. Get medical attention right away if you experience any of the following:

• Severe pain or swelling
• An open wound or deformity
• You can’t put weight on your ankle
• Redness, warmth, or tenderness in the area
• A fever greater than 100° F (37.8° C)

Ankle pain without a known injury could be caused by a medical condition. Some conditions associated with ankle pain include (but are not limited to):

• Animal Bites
• Ankle Arthritis
• Ankle Cyst
• Ankle Deformity
• Bone Tumors
• Diabetes-related Issues
• Failed Ankle Replacement
• Gout
• Infections
• Multicentric Carpotarsal Osteolysis Syndrome
• Nerve Conditions
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

An experienced ankle doctor can diagnose what is causing your pain and recommend the right ankle care plan for your condition.

The most common types of arthritis that affect the ankle are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and posttraumatic arthritis. The symptoms vary depending on which joint is affected, but an arthritic joint will be painful and inflamed in most cases. Symptoms typically develop over time and can include:

• Pain with movement
• Increased pain after vigorous activity
• Tenderness
• Swelling, warmth, and redness around the joint
• Increased pain or swelling in the morning

Every extra pound of weight you carry puts that much more pressure on the weight-bearing joints in your feet and ankles. Because of this, overweight and obese people are at higher risk for ankle conditions and injuries, including:

• Plantar Fasciitis
• Tendinitis
• Bone Spurs
• Ankle Arthritis
• Gout

The main difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedic surgeon centers on their training and the scope of their practice, particularly concerning the treatment of the musculoskeletal system.

Podiatrists' training primarily focuses on conditions, diseases, and injuries affecting the foot and ankle. Following podiatry school, podiatrists complete a residency focused on podiatric medicine, which includes the diagnosis and treatment of foot, ankle, and related lower extremity conditions.

Orthopedic surgeons treat a broader range of conditions affecting the entire musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves. They attend medical school and then undertake a residency in orthopedics. They may treat injuries and conditions from head to toe and can specialize in specific areas like sports medicine, joint replacement, or spine surgery. Additionally, orthopedic surgeons are trained in both surgical and non-surgical treatments.

A sprained ankle typically presents with pain, swelling, and bruising, with limited range of motion but some ability to bear weight. A broken ankle may have similar symptoms but often includes severe pain, inability to bear weight, and sometimes visible deformity.

Recovery times can vary depending on the type of surgery performed and the individual's overall health, but generally, it takes 6 to 12 weeks for initial healing. Full recovery, including physical therapy, may take several months to a year.