Ankle Pain Treatment - What You Need to Know
Whether you have ankle pain from an injury or an ongoing condition like arthritis, it can interfere with your daily activities. Luckily, there are a variety of treatments that can help relieve your symptoms and get you back to the activities you love.
Your first step in treatment should be to rest the ankle. Keep the foot elevated above heart height (using pillows is helpful). Ice can also reduce swelling and pain. Try putting an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables (covered in a cloth) on the affected area for 20 minutes, 4 times a day. You should also avoid any activity that causes pain, stiffness or swelling.
For mild to moderate symptoms, over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce pain and swelling. Examples include acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If your pain and swelling are severe or don't improve after 2 to 5 days of home treatment, see a doctor.
In addition to medications, doctors may also recommend orthotics or shoe inserts to support the ankle and reduce pressure on the ankle. They might also prescribe a splint or cast to hold the ankle in place and take pressure off the injury while it heals.
Some injuries require surgery to repair the damaged ligaments, muscles and other tissues. For example, if the ligaments are completely torn, you might need a procedure called an ankle arthroscopy. During this procedure, your doctor makes a few small incisions in the ankle and uses a tiny camera to inspect the inside of the ankle joint. Your doctor can also use this technique to remove loose cartilage fragments, treat bone spurs and repair other damage in the ankle.
If you're an athlete, it's important to follow your doctor's advice about when you can return to your sport. Your doctor might want to perform special ankle tests to assess your range of motion and how well your ankle supports you while you play.
There are some injuries that the home remedies above won't treat, including chronic ankle problems like tendinitis and osteoarthritis. If you have these conditions, your doctor might suggest Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy, which uses your body's cells to minimize pain and speed up healing. More Details ankle pain treatment
Many people who have ankle problems think their pain is normal, especially if they've had it for a while. However, don't ignore your pain — it could become worse and lead to more serious issues down the road. Trust your instincts and don't ignore signs of trouble, even if you think it's just part of getting older or a side effect of your job or favorite sports. Learn more about this and other health topics by signing up for our free weekly newsletter. It's full of research advancements, health tips and current news from Stanford. You can sign up here.