Ankle Pain at Night

Our ankle is a weight-bearing joint connecting the foot with the leg, bounded by strong ligaments, tendons and muscles. It helps our foot to move in two prime directions: away from the body (plantar flexion) and towards the body (dorsiflexion). Sharp pain in ankle at night or ankle swelling at night can be due to an ankle sprain or a twist in the ankle as a result of an injury or a small tear in the ligaments connecting the bones to one another. The most common symptoms of ankle pain at night are swelling, bruising or deformity around the joint which may occur due to rupture or damage of tendons (which join muscles to bone), cartilage (which cushions joints), and blood vessels in the ankle. Quite often, the ankle pain may also extend up to the adjacent areas like the foot, lower leg, knee, and even hip. Read more on sprains and strains.

Causes of Ankle Pain at Night

• Plantar Fasciitis: It's a painful non-inflammatory degenerative condition of the foot caused by excessive stretching of the plantar fasciitis muscle. The muscle extends along the sole of the foot towards the five toes, and if overworked or seated improperly in shoes, can cause intense ankle pain. Read more on plantar fasciitis treatment.
• Ligament Sprain: A sprain in the foot or ankle can occur due to a sudden sideways or twisting movement of the foot while exercising, walking or even taking a misstep. It is an injury to the ligaments of the ankle that causes severe pain and swelling in the ankle.
• Stress Fracture: It's a type of incomplete fracture in the bones due to an over accumulation of unusual or repeated stress on the bones within the foot. Read more on stress fractures.
• Gout: Considered to be the 'rich man's disease', it usually occurs in people having a diet rich in alcohol and fatty foods. Gout is a painful inflammation of feet due to excessive amount of uric acid in the body which gets deposited in the form of crystals or salts in the joints and blood, instead of being excreted in the urine.
• Poor Circulation: Feet and hands are considered to be the most poor circulation areas in our body as the blood always have trouble circulating or refreshing itself in these extremities of our body. Diet, age, genetics, or a medical condition such as diabetes, can be some possible reasons for poor circulation which may result in pain and discomfort in the feet, especially if the feet is resting in one position for a long time.
• Arthritis: Arthritis is another cause of ankle pain at night due to degenerative changes in the joints. It mainly occurs due to aging, injury, infection, mineral deficiency or some hereditary factors. In this, the cartilage covering the joints wears away, causing pain, swelling and inflammation of the joints.
• Tendonitis: It is an inflammation or irritation of a tendon, a thick cord that connects muscles to the bone. Tendonitis is usually occurs due to repetitive, minor impact on the affected area, causing severe ankle pain.

Treatment for Ankle Pain at Night

• Elevate Your Feet: While sleeping, try elevating your feet up to a comfortable level for a few nights to minimize swelling in the feet and ankles.
• Change Shoes: Try wearing those shoes that fit your feet properly and give enough support to your arch. Avoid wearing boots or high heeled shoes, especially if you are experiencing any kind of pain or discomfort in your ankle.
• Medications: For immediate relief over-the-counter pain relief medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, etc., can be used. In fact, you can also have an aspirin before sleeping every night to reduce swelling and ankle pain.
• Braces: If walking is unavoidable, start using crutches, splints, or braces to avoid putting weight on the affected ankle.
• Other Methods: Maintaining a healthy diet, walking barefoot, massaging or applying ice packs on the affected ankle will also provide relief from pain and swelling. Read more on swollen ankle treatment.

The best way to treat ankle pain at night is to take proper rest until the pain, swelling and inflammation subside. Performing light stretching exercises of muscles, tendons and ligaments under a doctor's supervision will help relieve the pain and reduce the risks of having ankle pain again.