There are many causes of ankle pain, some which require a watch and wait approach and others which may need non-surgical or more advanced surgical treatments.

Ankle Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints that causes pain and stiffness. If you have ankle arthritis, you may not be able to stand or walk without pain.

If you suffer from ankle arthritis, you are not alone. Each year, around 50,000 people have surgery revealing they have no cartilage left surrounding their ankle bone. Three major types of arthritis affect the foot and ankle—osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and post traumatic arthritis.

There is no cure for arthritis but there are a number of nonsurgical and surgical treatments that may help relieve the pain and improve your function and mobility.

Fractured ankle happens when one or more of the bones that make up your ankle is broken. If your ankle looks deformed or crooked, feels numb, or if you have extreme pain and cannot put any weight on it, then it may possibly be fractured. A doctor can confirm that your ankle is fractured using an X-ray. You will need to wear a cast to completely stabilize the bone until it is healed. In serious cases, surgery may be needed. It is recommended that you see an orthopedic surgeon for any ankle fracture.

A sprained ankle is similar to a twisted ankle but to a greater degree. When you sprain your ankle, it means you have stretched, and possibly even torn, the ligaments of your ankle. If your ankle is swollen, bruised and painful after you twist it, then you have most likely sprained it. Ankle sprains can range from mild to severe, depending on how much damage there is to the ligaments.

Have you ever stepped the wrong way and suddenly turned your ankle, but were able to “walk it off”? You most likely experienced a twisted ankle. When you twist your ankle, it means you have stretched the ligaments in your ankle past the usual point. Although it can be extremely painful when it happens, a twisted ankle may feel better quickly without any medical intervention. If your pain persists, consult with one of our Sports Medicine doctors to come up with a treatment plan tailored to you.