Ankle Pain

What causes ankle pain?

A twisted ankle is one of the top causes of ankle pain, causing a sprain that pulls or tears the ligaments. Other common causes of ankle pain include:

• Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Heel spurs
• Stress fractures
• Traumatic fractures
• Achilles tendon tears
• Achilles tendonitis (and other inflamed tendons)

Your ankle pain could also be due to strained calf muscles or plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis develops when the tissue connecting your heel to your toes becomes inflamed.

What other symptoms occur with ankle pain?

Ankle pain usually goes hand-in-hand with other symptoms, such as:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Instability
• Numbness
• Open wound
• Inability to bear weight on your ankle

Even if you have a mild sprain with minor symptoms, you should schedule a physical therapy evaluation. Injured ligaments may not regain strength if you keep using the ankle, leading to chronic instability and recurrent sprains.

How is ankle pain treated?

You should immediately control inflammation with rest, ice, compression, and elevating the ankle. See your primary care provider or orthopedic specialist if you have signs of a fracture, such as discoloration, swelling, a deformed joint, an open wound, or difficulty walking.

The professionals at Bowman Physical Therapy offer comprehensive care for all causes of ankle pain, including helping you rehabilitate following a fracture, dislocation, or orthopedic surgery.

Physical therapy reduces pain, accelerates healing, and restores the strength, stability, and mobility needed to return to your favorite activities without reinjuring the ankle. 

Your physical therapy can prevent or limit physical disability. It also eases the symptoms and slows tissue degeneration in people with arthritis.

Ankle pain treatments may begin with passive therapies (the therapist gently moves your ankle) to restore movement. As your inflammation and pain improve, your therapy progresses to improve strength and function.

Therapies frequently used to treat ankle pain include:

• Structured exercises
• Manual therapies
• Kinesio taping®
• Gait training
• Balance training
• Cardio exercises
• Ultrasound therapy
• Dry needling
• Dynatron Solaris® Plus treatments (electrotherapy, light therapy, and tissue mobilization)

As your ankle heals, your treatment may include sport- or activity-specific rehabilitation, ensuring you regain specific skills, learn new training tips, and return to your activities at peak performance.

Your therapist also teaches exercises to perform at home to support ankle health in the long run. 

Call the nearest Bowman Physical Therapy office or request an appointment online today to get help for ankle pain.