Ankle Pain
PAIN CONDITION
Ankle Pain: Causes, Treatment & Pain Relief
Simple things like walking or standing may become challenging when your ankle hurts. Ankle pain can be acute (sudden) due to injury or chronic (long-lasting) caused by medical conditions or old injuries. Whether your ankle pain is from arthritis, a sprain, or nerve damage, it can hold you back from doing what you love and make everyday tasks—like work—tough. The good news? Even if ice, rest, and time haven’t worked, pain management has options that can help get you back on your feet.
About Ankle Pain
Ankle pain, sometimes called ankle joint pain, can affect this complex joint of bones, muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels.[1] Depending on the cause, ankle pain can present in various ways, including swelling, stiffness or discomfort with or without movement.[1] Pain can be acute due to injuries like sprains or fractures but often heal with ice, rest and bracing.
Chronic ankle pain can stem from conditions like arthritis, neuropathy, lupus or an old injury that isn’t healing well.[1] Interventional pain management techniques, such as nerve blocks, steroid injections, or regenerative medicine, may help those suffering from both acute or chronic ankle pain that doesn’t improve with standard treatments.
Ankle Pain Symptoms
Ankle pain can feel different for everyone, depending on various causes. You may experience a constant dull ache, while someone else has to deal with sharp, stabbing pain that worsens with movement. Other common symptoms include:
- Swelling or tenderness around the ankle joint [2]
- Stiffness or reduced range of motion [2]
- A burning or tingling sensation [2]
- Weakness or instability, especially on uneven surfaces [2]
- Pain that worsens after standing for long periods
- Pain triggered by activity, injury, poor-fitting footwear or long periods of rest [2]
- Bruising [2]
- Difficulty pushing off with toes [2]
- Sudden pain and swelling. popping or snapping [3]
If these symptoms continue or negatively impact the quality of your life, it’s time to explore your pain relief options outside of surgical intervention.
Ankle Pain Causes
Injuries and medical conditions that cause ankle pain are common. Sprains, chronic conditions, and wear and tear on the joint are often the main culprits.
Here are some common causes of moderate to severe ankle pain:
Arthritis [4]
Nerve damage (neuropathy) [1]
Tendonitis [1]
Sprains and ligament damage [3]
Achilles tendonitis [3]
Bursitis [3]
Broken or fractured ankle [3]
Gout [4]
Achilles tendinosis [4]
Post-traumatic pain (residual pain from injuries) [5]
Incomplete healing [5]
Rheumatoid arthritis [1]
Lupus [1]
Ankylosing spondylitis [1]
Flat feet or high arches [1]
Infections like cellulitis [1]
Ankle impingement [6]
Tarsal tunnel syndrome [5]
Tumors and cysts [5]
Sinus tarsi syndrome [5]
Achilles tendon rupture [1]
Sural nerve entrapment (pinched nerve) [1]
Ankle instability [5]
Congenital deformities [5]
Ankle Pain Management Treatments
Treatment for ankle pain, especially if it’s persistent, goes beyond the basics of the RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression and elevation). Medication pain management may include anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers or nerve medications to control symptoms.
Physical therapy is often prescribed to increase your ankle strength, flexibility and mobility.[1] You may also require a brace, cast or orthotics to provide the support needed to heal and alleviate pain.[1]
Lifestyle changes and activity modifications may help alleviate ankle pain. You may have to switch from high-impact sports to low-impact exercises to minimize stress on your ankles. Maintaining a healthy weight, practicing good posture and wearing supportive ankle and footgear can help ease chronic pain and may prevent future ankle injuries.
If your ankle still hurts consistently despite traditional methods, interventional pain management offers less invasive procedures to reduce pain and improve mobility. Taking a comprehensive approach to pain management—combining medication, lifestyle changes, and alternative therapies—can effectively relieve discomfort, restore function, and improve overall quality of life.
Interventional pain control procedures for ankle pain may include:
Trigger point injections
Corticosteroid injections
Nerve blocks
Hyaluronic acid (HA) injections
Peripheral nerve blocks
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
Stem cell therapy
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Cryoablation
Lumbar sympathetic block
Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)
When to Consult an Ankle Pain Care Specialist
Experiencing ankle pain that lasts more than a few weeks, worsens over time, or limits your daily activities? It’s time to see a pain management specialist that takes a whole-body approach. Chronic aches and pains are not something you have to live with. Your pain specialist will create a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses your pain, its underlying cause and even lifestyle adjustments to help you feel and move better again.
Don’t just grin through the pain! Pain management experts can help improve your mobility and quality of life. Whether it’s injections, physical therapy, advanced pain relief methods or a combination of all, the right approach can make a big difference in getting you back on your feet, pain-free.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about ankle pain and injuries and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek immediate medical care if you experience severe pain, significant swelling, inability to bear weight, visible deformity, cold or discolored skin, numbness, or signs of infection. Always consult a doctor for proper evaluation and treatment.
Resources:
- Ankle Pain: Causes, At-Home Remedies, Treatments & Prevention. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. Accessed March 22, 2025. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/15295-ankle-pain
- Foot pain or ankle pain in adults. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Accessed March 22, 2025. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptom-checker/foot-pain-or-ankle-pain-in-adults-adult/related-factors/itt-20009075
- Ankle pain. NHS [Internet]. Published April 10, 2019. Accessed March 22, 2025. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/foot-pain/ankle-pain/
- Why Does My Ankle Hurt? 15 Possible Causes of Ankle Pain. WebMD [Internet]. Published 2024. Accessed March 22, 2025. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/ss/slideshow-ankle-problems-pain
- Cluett J. Ankle Pain Causes and Treatments. Very Well Health [Internet]. Updated December 02, 2024. Accessed March 22, 2025. Available from: https://www.verywellhealth.com/ankle-pain-causes-2549409
- Senécal I, Richer N. Conservative management of posterior ankle impingement: a case report. J Can Chiropr Assoc [Internet]. 2016;60(2):164-174. Accessed March 22, 2025. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27385836/