Why does ankle pain occur? Such unpleasant sensations can occur for various reasons. We will talk about them a little further. You will also learn how to cure such a pathological condition.
Basic information
Pain in the ankle can occur suddenly, as well as some time after receiving an injury. In any case, ignoring this condition and treating at home is not recommended. It is very important to identify the cause of the discomfort and take all appropriate measures. Otherwise, the condition of the victim may deteriorate sharply and lead to complete immobilization of the lower limb.
Development reasons
Why does the ankle hurt? Inflammation of the joint, discomfort during walking, as well as other unpleasant sensations in this joint can occur due to injuries or be one of the signs of existing diseases.
The reason why the patient has an ankle pain can only be determined by a specialist after an individual examination, x-ray examination or other procedures.
Most people with this problem do not go to the doctor. But even if you have had a minor bruise, and the pain is only periodic, it is highly recommended that it is not recommended to make suspected diagnoses and conduct independent treatment, as this can lead to serious consequences.
Pain in the ankle can occur not only due to injury, but also due to the development of certain dysfunctions in the body or any diseases.
Joint injuries
Few people know, but even a slight bruise of the ankle can cause inflammation. The most common injuries that lead to severe pain in this joint are sprains, fractures, and dislocations. Consider their features in more detail.
Ankle sprain
The treatment of such an injury should be carried out immediately, as it causes a lot of discomfort.
This is the most common leg injury that can be obtained at any age, at any job, and so on. Of course, most often it affects people who lead an active lifestyle and play sports.
Ankle sprain, the treatment of which is performed by a traumatologist, is characterized by severe joint pain, as well as the formation of swelling and the development of inflammation.
Fractures
A severe bruise of the ankle often leads to a joint fracture. It may vary in type and complexity. In modern medicine, a fracture of the external ankle, calcaneus, and diaphysis of the metatarsal bones is distinguished . Such injuries require urgent medical attention, which, after receiving an x-ray or tomography, will determine what treatment should be.
The pain in the ankle during a fracture is more intense than with ordinary joint injuries. Unpleasant sensations can occur both at rest and during palpation. In this case, the lower limb may not give in to movement, as well as acquire a not quite natural form and so on.
Dislocations
Such injuries very often accompany fractures. The offset of this joint may be partial. If the ligaments of the ankle are not torn, then we are talking about subluxation.
First Aid Injury
If you get a leg injury and you experience pain and swelling of the ankle, you should immediately consult a doctor. It is also very important to take the following first aid measures:
- A damaged leg should only be at rest.
- Ice should be applied to the ankle.
- If there is a sprain, then a tight bandage should be applied to the joint.
- A damaged limb should be kept in high condition. To facilitate, a soft roller can be placed under it.
Diseases causing ankle pain
Often, pain in the ankle is associated not with various injuries (for example, with a bruise or sprain), but with the development of joint diseases. Such diseases include deforming arthrosis, as well as some types of arthritis, including psoriatic and rheumatoid. Also, pain and swelling of the ankle occur with gout.
All of these diseases can provoke not only inflammation of the joints, but also significantly worsen the condition of the tissues, which leads to an increased risk of dislocations and fractures.
The treatment of any problems with the ankle in the presence of certain diseases should be complex and only under the supervision of a doctor.
The fact that the joint in question worries the patient due to exacerbation of diseases, and not due to injury, may indicate a general deterioration in the patient's well-being. In this case, not only the lower limb becomes inflamed, but also the joints of other parts of the body.
How to treat an ankle?
Methods of treating such a joint are selected based on the causes of pain and swelling.
With sprains, as well as a slight bruise, dislocation or subluxation, the patient may require regular home care. If a person has complex fractures, then here you can not do without temporary hospitalization.
Therapeutic procedures for restoring the ankle after injury may include the following measures:
- Preliminary identification of the condition of the injured leg. Such a procedure includes external examination and palpation, as well as radiography and, if necessary, tomography.
- The use of pain medications, which are determined by the attending physician, depending on the nature of the disease or type of injury.
- Imposing a tight bandage, especially with sprains and dislocations.
- Conducting medical procedures, including surgical procedures, if the resulting fracture is complex.
- Complete rest of the patient, fixed position of the injured leg.
- Physiotherapeutic procedures determined by the type of injury and the course of the disease.
- The use of external drugs to improve and accelerate healing in order to prevent re-inflammation.
- The use of various orthopedic appliances.
- Physiotherapy exercises and moderate physical activity.
It should also be noted that there are drugs that significantly increase the effectiveness of treatment, including preventing the formation of a foci of infection, improving cell regeneration, and more.
It can not be said that many experts require a review of the patient's diet and its supplementation with vitamin and mineral complexes.
Treatment of underlying diseases
If pain in the ankle has arisen due to the development of arthrosis, arthritis and other diseases, then its elimination is carried out by treating the main causes. For this, you should also contact a specialist. After diagnosing the disease, the doctor is obliged to prescribe treatment, which includes taking certain medications, physiotherapy and other things.
Folk methods
The use of folk remedies for the treatment of pain in the ankle should take place only after consultation with the doctor. Most often, all kinds of lotions and compresses are used as such methods, which can reduce inflammation and remove puffiness.
Also, animal fats, kefir, a mixture of sugar, onion, soap, honey and salt can be used as auxiliary products. In general, there are a lot of recipes for traditional medicine. However, all of them should be used with extreme caution so as not to aggravate the situation and not cause an allergic reaction.
After the main treatment, the patient must undergo a rehabilitation course. This is true not only for fractures, but also for other serious injuries. It is necessary to perform special therapeutic exercises, as well as take medication for some time in order to prevent relapse, if the causes of discomfort were associated with any disease.
When to see a doctor?
If you have the following changes, your doctor should be consulted immediately:
- Severe inflammation, swelling, local temperature increase, unnatural form of the lower limb.
- Unbearable pain during walking, as well as during palpation of the ankle joint.
- Unpleasant sensations in the area of injury that do not go away for a long time.
- Sudden pain or intermittent pain that occurs not only in the ankle joint or in the area of the bruise, but also directly inside the bone.
It is also very important to take all necessary measures in a timely manner in case of suspicion of a strong fracture or other injury.