Ankle Pain Relief in Miami, FL – What You Need to Know
Ankle pain is one of the most common types of musculoskeletal (MSK) pain. Ankle pain can be caused by a wide variety of conditions, including sports injuries, arthritis, and even common activities like walking.
Generally, ankle pain is characterized by pain in the joints of the ankles. It is often caused by overuse and can persist even after the activity causing the pain has ceased. However, ankle pain can also be a warning sign of serious underlying problems that require immediate medical attention from an ankle specialist in Miami.
If you’re suffering from persistent ankle pain, you need to know the warning signs so you can get the help you need. Here’s what you need to know about ankle pain, from causes to treatment options.
What is Ankle Pain?
Ankle pain is a common complaint among patients. It can be due to many different factors, including trauma, arthritis, and overuse. The condition causes pain at the bottom of the foot. It is usually felt in the middle of the ankle, but can also be felt on the outside or inside of the ankle. Ankle pain may begin suddenly or gradually over time. The pain may be sharp and sudden or dull and achy.
The ankle is made up of several bones and joints. The largest joint of the ankle is called the talocrural joint. This joint connects your lower leg bone (tibia) to your upper foot bone (talus). You have two smaller joints in front of this one, called the subtalar joint and midtarsal joint. These joints connect your lower leg bone and your toes.
The cartilage that covers these bones is called articular cartilage. The cartilage cushions each bone against its neighbor as you move around during daily activities or exercise. It also allows bones to glide over one another as they move around in their sockets during movement.
Some people may describe their ankle pain as feeling like they are walking on marbles or even walking on glass shards in their feet. Others say that they feel like something is stuck in their foot or like they have an object underneath their heel while walking on flat ground (like stepping on a nail).
What Causes Ankle Pain?
Ankle pain can be caused by many different factors. Some are serious while others are not. The most common cause of ankle pain is inflammation or injury to one or more of the ligaments that surround the joint. Ligaments are bands of tissue that connect bones to other bones and keep them from moving too far apart from one another. Some common causes of ankle pain include:
Other possible causes include:
- Torn ligament (sprain) – Injuries to ligaments are common in sports such as football and basketball because they involve sudden stops followed by quick movement in another direction. Playing on hard surfaces like concrete also increases your risk for sprains because these surfaces make it difficult to stop quickly without slipping or falling down
- Fractured bone – Ankles are very stable joints because they have multiple bones coming together at once, but fractures can still occur if someone lands on their feet wrong after being
Should You See an Ankle Specialist in Miami?
While many ankle injuries can heal on their own, it’s important to see an ankle specialist in Miami if you think you have a serious injury. This is especially true if you have:
- Severe pain that doesn’t go away within several days
- Pain and swelling in the foot or shin, which may be accompanied by discoloration or bruising around the ankle joint
- A “popping” sensation when moving your foot up and down or side to side
- A deep wound that’s bleeding or won’t stop bleeding after five minutes of direct pressure (for example, from a cut on your ankle)
The first thing a specialist will do is ask questions about your symptoms and how long they’ve been going on. They’ll also ask about your medical history to see if there are any clues about what might be causing the pain. If there’s no obvious cause, they may order some tests to rule out other problems, such as swollen tendons or an infection in your joint.
If you have a lot of ankle pain with walking and standing on uneven ground, you may have Achilles tendonitis (tendinitis). Your doctor may recommend wearing supportive shoes or doing physical therapy exercises to strengthen your muscles around your ankle joint.
If it looks like you might have a fracture or sprain, you’ll need X-rays to make sure this isn’t the case before any treatment begins.
Ankle Specialist in Miami | Southernmost Foot & Ankle Specialists
By now, you are probably feeling a strong urge to do something about your ankle pain. With an ankle specialist in Miami like our team from Southernmost Foot & Ankle Specialists, your pain will vanish faster than you can say “restless leg syndrome.” We treat the root cause of your ankle injury and take a comprehensive approach to pain relief.
If you suffer from ankle pain, we encourage you to contact our team today. Our doctors and staff are here to help you find relief. So, what are you waiting for? Call or email us today about our services! Having a bad ankle can significantly reduce the quality of your life. Schedule an appointment with our ankle specialist in Miami and let us put your worries to rest.