Throughout our lives, our ankles take a beating, dealing with pressure each and every single day. Every ankle takes a beating, even if you’re not an athlete or don’t exercise. There are many causes of ankle pain, and it is important to see a doctor when you experience ankle pain to determine the cause or nature of your pain.
Our North Brunswick, NJ office can help with all types of ankle and foot pain.
Types of Ankle Conditions:
Tendonitis: These are rope like structures at the end of the muscle which attach for bone and allows for movement when the muscle contracts. Tendonitis occurs when the tendon becomes swollen and inflamed. Instead of your joints moving smoothly past one another when the body is in motion, an irritating pain can arise, as well as swelling . The most common cause is over-use or new usage of areas not commonly exercised.
Achilles Tendonitis: The Achilles tendon at the back of your ankle, or heel, becomes swollen and inflamed which occurs from jumping running or overuse. This is the most common tendonitis in the ankle joint
Arthritis: is a common cause of ankle pain. When cartilage deteriorates, it can be very painful to the joint. It is most common to have ankle arthritis if you have had a previous injury(s) to the ankle joint.
Sprain to the Ankle: a spain is an injury to the ligament which can occur from, over stretching ligaments. Bruising and swelling is common along with pain on weight bearing.
There are “High Angle Sprains” which is the sprain of a specific ligament in the ankle. These ligaments are on top of the ankle, hence the name “high” ankle sprain; this sprain is different and gets a different treatment than a typical ankle sprain.
Posterior Tibial Tendonitis: causes ankle pain on the inside of the joint. Since this is a problem inside the joint, it can lead to walking issues.
Fractures: This is a broken bone; There are many different kinds of fractures and each should be treated differently. Some ankle fractures can be healed with a brace, some a cast, and some require surgery, so it is best to consult with a doctor and see which treatment is best for your specific injury.
Plain Cartilage Damage: Cartilage is vulnerable to damage from normal activity and injuries. Sprains, fractures, or other major injuries throughout life can cause cartilage to deteriorate. Depending on the injury causing the cartilage damage, the extent can be minimal or extensive.
Gout: is quite rare but can be a cause of ankle pain. It comes in spurts because people pain, swelling and redness. These bouts or attacks can be unexpected and harsh, arriving suddenly.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Patients that have rheumatoid disese also get ankle pain. This disease causes joint swelling and can cause cartilage damage. As we’ve already discussed, these issues can deteriorate or damage the ankle, causing pain and problems. This is especially true over a period of time, after having the disease for a while and its issues affecting you, the need for treatment is necessary.
Ankle Pain Treatments
Dr. Magaziner’s philosophy is to start with the more conservative treatments (less invasive) first. If necessary, The Center for Spine, Sports, Pain Management and Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine provides multiple forms of treatment to help patients recover from an acute or chronic condition. There are many treatments which are effective in the treatment of joint pain. Some of these treatments include: PRP – Platelet Rich Plasma, Prolotherapy, Stem Cell Grafts, Medication, Acupuncture, Laser Therapy, Joint Injections, Nutritional Advice, Chiropractic, and Physical Therapy.
