What Causes Ankle Pain?
The ankle is a complex joint, consisting of many ligaments connecting the bones of the feet to the bones of the lower leg. Since the ankle supports the body when standing upright or walking, any problems with the joint are likely to be felt as discomfort or pain while putting weight on the ankle.
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Sprains
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A sprain occurs when the ligaments of a join--the sinews that connect two bones together--are pulled too far and are partially or fully torn. Ankles are one of the most commonly sprained joints, since a misplaced step or "rolling the ankle" (stepping on the side of the foot) can easily cause a sprain. Basketball and other sports that require a lot of jumping and fast changes in direction often result in sprains. An ankle sprain is very painful at the time of the sprain and will continue to be painful when weight is put on the ankle until it is properly healed.
Tendinitis
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Tendinitis is a condition in which a tendon in the body is irritated, usually from repetitive stress, and becomes inflamed and painful. The Achilles tendons run along the back of the ankle, and will cause ankle pain if they become afflicted with tendinitis. Usually a regimen of RICE--rest, ice, compression and elevation--will be sufficient to calm tendinitis pain, after which normal activity can be resumed.
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Stress Fractures
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While a hairline or more severe broken bone in the foot or ankle will cause a great deal of pain, stress fractures may lead to chronic ankle pain that is harder to attribute to a single event. Stress fractures are small cracks or chips made in the bones from repetitive stress, such as running long distances on hard surfaces. Stress fractures can create ankle pain that seems to come out of nowhere, because the pain is caused by the accumulation of stress rather than a single traumatic event.
Arthritis
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Arthritis is chronic pain that occurs in joints in two forms. Osteoarthritis is a condition that is characterized by the gradual breakdown of connective ligaments, which leads to less stable joints and bones that may rub up against one another, causing chronic pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that causes persistent swelling and pain in a joint, which be debilitating. Arthritis is usually brought on by previous damage, such as sprains and stress factors, as well as old age and a lack of proper nutrition. Women are more prone to arthritis.
Gout
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Gout is a third form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden bouts of extreme burning or pain. Gout commonly affects the foot and ankle area, and leads to a high level of sensitivity in the affected area, where even a light tough may case pain. Gout is caused by accumulation of uric acid in the blood, so fortunately, gout can often be prevented by avoiding foods that produce high uric acid levels in the body.
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