An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments that connect two bones together becomes damaged through overstretching or tearing. This can result in pain, swelling, and bruising. One way to treat the pain of a sprained ankle is to follow the PRICE acronym. PRICE stands for protect, rest, ice, compress, and elevate. Protect the injured ankle from further damage by avoiding any additional weight being placed on the ankle. Rest the ankle as often as possible for several days. Ice the ankle by placing an ice pack wrapped in a towel over the injured area. Compress the damaged ankle with bandages to limit movement. Finally, elevate the ankle to prevent fluid buildup and further swelling. While home treatment can help ease your pain, if you believe that you have sprained your ankle it is recommended that you see a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and an effective treatment plan.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Dr. Kevin F. Gallagher from Gallagher Podiatry. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in McMurray and Hickory, PA . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.