A Podiatrist May Help Your Nagging Ankle Pain With These Possible Treatment Options
Ankle pain can be very bothersome. It's difficult to walk when each step causes pain in your ankle. It can even make you unsteady on your feet, which could lead to a fall. If you've been having ankle pain and you don't know why, you should see a podiatrist. The problem might be arthritis, or it could be due to a nerve or tendon injury. Proper treatment is necessary so you don't lose range of motion in your ankle and develop problems with mobility. Here are some possible treatment options for your ankle pain.
Anti-Inflammatory Medication
If your ankle is swollen due to an injury or arthritis, anti-inflammatory drugs might help reduce your pain. Your podiatrist might recommend over-the-counter medications if your condition is mild. More serious problems may need prescription drugs or even injections directly into your ankle. When swelling decreases, you'll have less pain and better mobility so your ankle won't become stiff and sore due to lack of activity.
Ankle Exercises
Ankle exercises might be needed to strengthen the muscles and reduce strain. Strong muscles provide support for the joints in your ankle and make your ankle more stable. This might help relieve strain on your tendons and ligaments too because your ankle will be held in a normal position when you walk. Strong ankles help with balance too. Your podiatrist might teach you some exercises to do daily at home, or you might be referred to a physical therapist. If you have an injury in your ankle that isn't healing, a physical therapist can establish an exercise routine and provide other treatments that help with healing and reduce the risk of further injury.
Braces And Orthotic Devices
While your podiatrist may not want you to keep your ankle immobile for too long, it might be necessary to wear a brace while your ankle is in the initial healing phase. Another option is to wear an orthotic insert or even have custom shoes made so your ankle and foot are held in proper alignment. It's possible a problem with your feet or your gait contribute to your ankle pain. Correcting your foot problem may be what's needed to stop your ankle pain.
A podiatrist can pinpoint the reason for your ankle pain so proper treatment can begin. Pain can severely limit your ability to run or play other sports. It can even be bad enough to interfere with your job and other usual activities. Ignoring the pain isn't a good idea because you could do damage to your tendons or joints that needs surgery to repair. Instead, follow the advice of your podiatrist on treatment and recovery and don't resume strenuous activity until you're cleared to do so.