Ankle Pain
Ankle pain may result from a sprain, fracture, tendon problem, arthritis, gout, or infection.
About ankle pain
Ankle pain may result from a sprain, fracture, tendon problem, arthritis, gout, or infection.
What can cause it?
Common causes include sprain, fracture, tendon injury, arthritis, gout, overuse, infection, and referred nerve pain.
The presence or absence of injury does not reliably identify the cause.
What a patient may notice
Symptoms vary from person to person. Possible signs may include:
- Pain with walking or movement
- Swelling, bruising, warmth, or stiffness
- Tenderness after an injury or without a clear cause
How clinicians find the cause
Evaluation includes the pain location, injury mechanism, ability to walk, swelling, warmth, range of motion, circulation, and sensation. X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, blood tests, or joint-fluid testing may be used when indicated.
Treatment and next steps
- 1
Treatment depends on the diagnosis and may include protection, activity modification, support, physical therapy, medicine, or specialist care.
- 2
A hot swollen joint, fracture, infection, or tendon rupture requires a different plan from simple overuse.
Supporting recovery
- Reduce activities that worsen pain and use supportive footwear.
- Elevate a swollen ankle and apply wrapped ice after a recent injury.
- Avoid repeatedly walking on an ankle that cannot bear weight.
What to expect
The outlook depends on the cause. Minor overuse and uncomplicated sprains often improve with protection and gradual rehabilitation, while fractures, tendon injuries, arthritis, gout, infection, or nerve and circulation problems need condition-specific treatment. Pain that is not steadily improving should be reassessed rather than repeatedly treated as a simple sprain.
Possible complications
- Persistent pain, swelling, stiffness, weakness, or reduced walking tolerance
- Chronic ankle instability and repeated injury when rehabilitation is incomplete
- Joint, tendon, nerve, bone, or infection-related damage when the underlying cause is not identified
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Arrange an evaluation when symptoms are new, worsening, interfering with normal activities, or not improving as expected.
Prompt care is needed for inability to bear weight, deformity, numbness, a cold foot, fever with a hot swollen joint, or rapidly worsening pain.Get emergency help for severe trouble breathing, new chest pressure, fainting, seizure, sudden weakness on one side, uncontrolled bleeding, blue or gray lips, or a person who is difficult to wake.
Ways to lower risk
- Strengthen the ankle and improve balance after recovery.
- Warm up, increase training gradually, and replace worn footwear.
Trusted health information
This CHS patient-education page uses original wording and links to MedlinePlus for additional information.