If you’re living with ankle pain, it can disrupt your life with mobility issues and affect your gait, which can lead to other painful foot and ankle problems. You don’t have to put up with the pain. Matthew Paden, DPM, FACFAS, Dustin Kruse, DPM, MA, FACFAS, Brett Sachs, DPM, FACFAS and the rest of the team at Rocky Mountain Foot and Ankle Center in Evergreen and Wheat Ridge, Colorado, are committed to helping you live a pain-free life with expert diagnosis and treatment for ankle pain. Call the office nearest you, or make an appointment online today.
There’s a long list of potential injuries and conditions that can cause ankle pain. There are several bones, ligaments, and tendons in this complex and delicate joint that absorb much of the pressure and stress of every step you take, increasing your risk of injury.
Some of the common causes of ankle pain treated at Rocky Mountain Foot and Ankle Center include:
The podiatrists at Rocky Mountain Foot and Ankle Center combine comprehensive exams with diagnostic imaging tools to identify the cause of your ankle pain.
Your doctor will carefully examine your foot and ankle. He’ll ask you questions about your pain and other symptoms and will ask you to walk across the treatment room a few times so he can observe your gait.
When necessary, your doctor will order X-rays or MRIs to see the bones and tissues inside your ankle to confirm a diagnosis.
Treatment for ankle pain depends on the condition behind your pain. Minor injuries are typically treated with the RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) method, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy to rebuild your strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
If you have an acute injury like a fracture or a severe ankle sprain, your doctor often uses an immobilizing device like a boot or cast to keep your bones, ligaments, and tendons in the correct position while they heal. Once your tissue heals, you’ll have physical therapy to support your recovery.
Conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are often treated with medications and physical therapy. Exercise is critical to building strength and flexibility in the muscles that support your ankles so that when your arthritis symptoms flare up, your body is better able to support your joint.
If you have ankle pain, call or schedule an appointment online today.