Though our ankles are strong enough to carry our body weight, it is also prone to injury and pain. A condition in which any kind of pain is felt in the ankle region can be called ankle pain. There can be many causes, both external and internal that contributes to the pain. This article intends to educate you on the causes and treatments for pain in the ankle. 

What Are The Common Causes?

An ankle consists of a network of bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles. An injury or a fracture can cause pain and discomfort to it. Moreover, an untreated underlying issue can be the reason behind the ankle pain (เจ็บ ข้อ เท้า, which is the term in Thai). The five most common causes of pain in the ankle are as follows:

• Foot Injury 

An inflammation caused by a foot injury can be the reason behind the pain in your ankle. A broken foot can be a result of a simple misstep, a fall or a major accident. 

• Achilles Tendinitis

Active runners and middle-aged sports lovers who occasionally plays tennis or basketball are prone to this condition. The increase in the intensity while run or the sudden jolt of pressure while playing can injure the tendon. Untreated Achilles tendonitis can lead to tendon tears of raptures. 

• Sprained Ankle

This is the most common cause of pain in the ankle. It happens when your foot twists toward the ground stretching or ripping the ligament. This condition leads to swelling and bruises in your foot. 

• Nerve Damage

Sciatica or nerve damage that can come down from your hips to the leg can cause discomfort in your ankle. 

• Arthritis

This is an underlying cause that can affect your ankles as well. Osteoarthritis is more common in women above 40. This causes pain both in the knees and ankles. 

What Are The Treatments?

In most cases, basic self-care treatments help in reducing the pain. This can take up to 7-14 days to heal. However, in severe cases, one must have to undergo surgery. If you feel any kind of discomfort, seeking medical help is a wise decision. A few of the self-care measures to ease the ankle pain are: 

• Complete rest and a break from normal activities with elevation of foot 
• Hot or cold compression such as hot water and ice
• Bandage compression and OTC medication to reduce swelling