Ankle pain: possible causes and methods of treatment

Why is there pain in the ankle? Such unpleasant sensations can arise for various reasons. We will talk about them later. You will also learn how to cure such a pathological condition.

Basic information

Pain in the ankle can occur suddenly, as well as some time after getting injured. In any case, ignore this condition and conduct treatment at home is not recommended. It is very important to identify the cause of unpleasant sensations and take all appropriate measures. Otherwise, the condition of the victim may deteriorate sharply and lead to complete immobilization of the lower limb.

Causes of development

Why does the ankle hurt? Inflammation of the joint, discomfort during walking, as well as other unpleasant sensations in this joint may result from injuries or be one of the signs of existing diseases.

The reason for the patient's ankle pain can only be determined by a specialist after an individual examination, X-ray examination or other procedures.

Most people with this problem do not consult a doctor. But even if you have a minor bruise, and the pain is only periodic, presumptive diagnoses and self-treatment is highly recommended, as this can lead to serious consequences.

Pain in the ankle can occur not only because of injury, but also due to the development of certain dysfunctions in the body or any diseases.

Injuries to the joint

Few people know, but even a minor ankle bruise can cause inflammation. The most common injuries that lead to severe pain in this joint are stretching, fractures and dislocations. Let's consider their features in more detail.

Stretching of the ankle

Treatment of such trauma should be carried out immediately, as it causes a lot of unpleasant sensations.

This is the most common leg injury that can be obtained at any age, at any job and so on. Of course, most often it affects people who lead an active lifestyle and go in for sports.

Stretching of the ankle, treated by a traumatologist, is characterized by a sharp pain in the joint, as well as the formation of swelling and the development of inflammation.

Fractures

Severe bruise of the ankle often leads to fracture of the joint. It can differ in type and complexity. In modern medicine, a fracture of the external ankle, calcaneus, and diaphysis of the metatarsal bones is isolated . Such damage requires an urgent call to a doctor who, after receiving an X-ray or a CT scan, will determine what kind of treatment should be.

Pain in the ankle in the fracture is more intense than with ordinary joint damage. Unpleasant sensations can occur both at rest and during palpation. In this case, the lower limb may not be amenable to movement, and also acquire an unintentional shape and so on.

Dislocations

Such injuries are often accompanied by fractures. The displacement of this joint can be partial. If the ankle ligament is not ruptured, then we are talking about subluxation.

First aid for trauma

If you get a leg injury, and you have pain and swelling of the ankle, you should immediately contact a doctor. It is also very important to take the following measures for first aid:

• The injured leg should only be at rest.
• An ice should be attached to the ankle.
• If there was a stretch, then a tight bandage should be applied to the joint.
• The injured limb should be kept in a raised state. To facilitate it, you can put a soft roller.

Diseases that cause pain in the ankle

Often, pain in the ankle is not associated with various injuries (for example, with bruising or stretching), but with the development of joint diseases. These diseases include deforming arthrosis, as well as some types of arthritis, including psoriatic and rheumatoid. Also, pain and swelling of the ankle occur with gout.

All these diseases can provoke not only inflammation of the joints, but also significantly worsen the condition of the tissues, which leads to an increased risk of dislocations and fractures.

Treatment of any problems with the ankle in the presence of certain diseases should be carried out in a complex and only under the supervision of a doctor.

The fact that the joint in question is worried about the patient due to exacerbation of the disease, and not because of injury, may indicate a general deterioration in the patient's well-being. In this case, not only the lower extremity becomes inflamed, but also the joints of other parts of the body.

How to treat ankle?

Methods of treating such a joint are selected based on the causes of pain and edema.

When stretching, as well as a slight bruise, dislocation or subluxation, the patient may need regular home care. If a person has a complex fracture, then there can not be no temporary hospitalization.

Treatment procedures for restoring the ankle after an injury can include the following activities:

• Preliminary detection of the condition of the injured leg. This procedure includes external examination and palpation, as well as X-rays and, if necessary, tomography.
• The use of pain medications, which is determined by the attending physician, depending on the nature of the disease or the type of injury.
• Imposition of a tight bandage, especially when stretched and dislocated.
• Conducting medical procedures, including surgical interventions, if the fracture is difficult.
• Full rest of the patient, fixed position of the injured leg.
• Physiotherapy procedures are determined by the type of injury and the course of the illness.
• The use of external drugs to improve and accelerate healing, in order to prevent re-inflammation.
• The use of various orthopedic adaptations.
• Physiotherapy exercises and moderate exercise.

It should also be noted that there are drugs that significantly improve the effectiveness of treatment, including preventing the formation of a foci of infection, improve cell regeneration and so on.

One can not help saying that many specialists require a review of the patient's diet and supplementation with vitamin-mineral complexes.

Treatment of major diseases

If the pain in the ankle arises from the development of arthrosis, arthritis and other diseases, then its elimination is carried out by treating the underlying causes. To do this, you should also consult a specialist. After diagnosing the disease, the doctor must prescribe a treatment that includes taking certain medications, physiotherapy procedures and other things.

Folk methods

Use of folk remedies for the treatment of pain in the ankle should only take place after agreement with the doctor. Most often as such methods use all sorts of lotions and compresses that can reduce inflammation and remove swelling.

Also, animal fats, kefir, a mixture of sugar, onion, soap, honey and salt can be used as auxiliary products. In general, there are a lot of recipes for folk medicine. However, all of them should be applied with extreme caution, in order not to aggravate the situation and not cause an allergic reaction.

After the main treatment, the patient must necessarily undergo a rehabilitation course. This is relevant not only for fractures, but also for other serious injuries. It is necessary to perform special therapeutic exercises, and also take some time to take medications to prevent relapses, if the causes of unpleasant sensations were associated with any diseases.

When to see a doctor?

If you have the following changes, you should immediately call your doctor:

• Severe inflammation, swelling, local fever, unnatural form of the lower limb.
• An unbearable pain during walking, as well as with palpation of the ankle joint.
• Unpleasant sensations in the field of trauma, which do not pass for a long time.
• A sudden pain syndrome or periodic pain that occurs not only in the ankle or in the area of the bruise, but also directly inside the bone.

It is also very important to take all necessary measures in time for suspicions of a severe fracture or other trauma.