Ankle pain is a common condition that affects people of all ages and activity levels. Your ankles are complex joints that bear your entire body weight while providing stability and mobility for walking, running, and jumping. When ankle pain occurs, it can significantly limit your ability to move comfortably and engage in daily activities.
Causes of Ankle Pain
Ankle pain can result from various factors:
- Sprains and strains: The most common ankle injuries, involving stretched or torn ligaments or muscles caused by slipping, falling or sports injuries
- Fractures: Broken bones in the ankle joint, including the tibia, fibula, talus or calcaneus. These are common in motor vehicle (ICBC) or work-related accidents
- Tendonitis: Inflammation of tendons, such as the Achilles tendon, Peroneal tendons or Tibialis Posterior generally from overuse such as walking/running too much too soon
- Arthritis: Including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or post-traumatic arthritis
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joint and tendons
- Gout: A type of inflammatory arthritis that commonly affects the ankle and foot
- Flat feet or high arches: Structural issues that alter biomechanics and increase stress on the ankle, knee, hip and back
- Nerve compression: Such as tarsal tunnel syndrome and sciatic nerve compression/entrapment
- Previous injuries: Chronic instability following inadequately rehabilitated previous sprains
Symptoms of Ankle Pain
Ankle pain may present with various symptoms:
- Pain: Can range from mild to severe, during activity or at rest
- Swelling: Fluid accumulation around the joint
- Bruising: Discoloration following injury
- Stiffness: Reduced range of motion
- Instability: Feeling like the ankle may lock or “give way”
- Weakness: Difficulty supporting your body weight or performing activities of daily life
- Clicking or popping: Unusual sounds during movement
- Numbness or tingling: Potential signs of nerve involvement
- Difficulty bearing weight: Inability to walk normally or stand on the affected leg/ankle
When should I see a Physiotherapist?
Our top-rated Physiotherapists can help you with the following issues:
- Inability to bear weight on your ankle
- Severe pain, even when not bearing weight
- Significant swelling or bruising
- Visible deformity: poor posture, limping, listing and compensatory walking patterns
- Pain that doesn’t improve after several days of resting or self-treatment
- Recurring ankle pain or instability
- Ankle/foot pain that interferes with your daily activities or sleep
- Pain accompanied by swelling, redness, or warmth around the joint
How Physiotherapy Helps Ankle Pain
Our highly experienced Physiotherapists use evidence-based approaches and treatment to address ankle pain:
- Thorough Assessment: We perform a comprehensive evaluation of your hip, knee and ankle joint, surrounding structures, and movement patterns to identify the underlying cause of your pain.
- Pain Management: Using appropriate electro-modalities (laser, shockwave therapy & ultrasound) and manual therapy techniques (massage & joint mobilization) to reduce pain and inflammation.
- IMS: Intramuscular muscular stimulation with battery operated electric current to decrease pain and promote healing
- Mobility Restoration: Gentle mobilization techniques and exercises to restore normal range of motion.
- Strengthening Program: Progressive exercises targeting the muscles that support and stabilize the hip, knee, ankle and foot
- Balance and Proprioception Training: Specialized exercises to improve your body’s awareness of the ankle position, reducing the risk of future injuries.
- Gait Training: Analysis and correction of walking patterns to ensure proper mechanics and reduce stress on the ankle.
- Functional Rehabilitation: Activity-specific training to safely return to your daily activities, work requirements, or sports.
- Custom Orthotics Recommendation: Education on correct footwear or custom orthotics to support proper alignment.
Preventing Ankle Pain & Self Help Measures!
Consider these strategies to reduce your risk of ankle pain:
- Proper footwear: Wear shoes that provide adequate support for your specific activity e.g. walking, running and racquet sports
- Gradual progression: Increase the intensity or duration of activities gradually
- Warm-up properly: Before exercise, warm up muscles and joints with dynamic stretching
- Strengthen ankle muscles: Regular exercises to build pelvis/hip, knee and ankle stability
- Balance training: Improve proprioception to reduce fall and injury risk
- Cross-training: Vary your activities to avoid repetitive stress
- Maintain a healthy weight: Reduce excess stress on ankle joints
- Listen to early warning signs: Address minor discomfort before it becomes a bigger problem
Why Choose one of our Top-Rated Physio Clinics for Ankle Pain?
Our best rated Allied physiotherapy clinics offer specialized care for ankle conditions with personalized treatment plans addressing both your symptoms and their underlying causes. Our highly experienced Physiotherapists continuously update their knowledge and skills with the latest research, in-house educational workshops and techniques to provide optimal care.
We recognize that ankle pain impacts different aspects of life for everyone, turning everyday movements into painful challenges. Whether you’re an athlete looking to return to competition, or someone who needs to be on their feet all day for work, or simply want to walk comfortably without pain, we will work with you to set meaningful goals and achieve successful lasting results.
Book Your Allied Physio Appointment Today
Don’t let ankle pain limit your mobility and quality of life. Contact us today to schedule your appointment & comprehensive ankle assessment to begin your journey of pain-free movement and healthy lifestyle
