Ankle Pain When Walking

Ankle is a hinged joint connecting the foot with the leg, bounded by strong ligaments, tendons and muscles. It enables the foot to move in two main directions: away from the body (plantar flexion) and towards the body (dorsiflexion). Sharp pain in ankle when walking is mainly due to an ankle sprain or a twist in the ankle, which is nothing but an injury or a small tear in the ligaments connecting the bones to one another. The most common symptoms of ankle pain are swelling and bruising, which make them extremely difficult to bear weight on the joint. Sharp pain in ankles when walking can also be due to the rupture or damage of other structures in the ankle, like the tendons (which join muscles to bone), cartilage (which cushions joints), and blood vessels. In some cases, the pain may also spread to the adjacent areas like the foot, lower leg, knee, and even hip. Read more on sprains and strains.

Causes of Ankle Pain and Swelling
Along with ankle sprains and injuries, other causes for ankle pain when walking are:

• Gout: Gout is a painful inflammation of the big toe and foot caused by defects in uric acid metabolism or too much production of uric acid in the body. This extra uric acid gets deposited in the form of crystals or salts in the joints and blood, instead of being excreted in the urine.
• Pseudogout: It's a kind of arthritis characterized by sudden and intense painful swelling in one or more of the joints, triggered by crystals in the joint lining. Being similar to gout, it mainly occurs in elder people and commonly affects the large joints of our extremities.
• Osteoarthritis: It's the most common joint disorder in which the cushioning between the bones called cartilage wears away in the joints. As osteoarthritis gets worse, the cartilage disappears and bone rubs on bone, causing loosening and weakening of the muscles and ligaments.
• Psoriatic Arthritis: It's a type of arthritis which is often related to psoriasis of the skin. Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition characterized by dry red patches covered with scales on the body. The arthritis may be mild and involve only a few joints, especially at the end of the fingers or toes, causing joint swelling and skin soreness.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: It's a type of arthritis which causes long term inflammation of the joints and the surrounding tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, i.e. the body's immune system confuses healthy tissues for foreign bodies, and so the body attacks itself.
• Septic Arthritis: It's an inflammation of a joint due to bacterial invasion which grows when the bacteria get transported from a source of infection through the bloodstream to a joint, or when the joint is directly infected by traumatic penetration or surgical procedures. Septic arthritis causes symptoms like joint swelling, intense joint pain and low grade fever.

Read more on what causes swollen ankles.

Treatment for Ankle Pain When Walking
Treatment for ankle pain mainly involves simple home care and remedies. Rest for few days, don't move the affected area and avoid putting weight on it. If the ankle is unstable, support it by crutches or a cane while standing or walking to keep the weight off the ankle. If there is swelling in the foot, keep it raised above the level of the heart. Applying ACE bandages or keeping ice over the affected area for 10 - 15 minutes every day will also help to relieve the pain and swelling. Read more on swollen ankle treatment.

For intense pain or swelling, you can also have some over the counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to alleviate the discomfort and uneasiness. But if you still experience ankle pain when walking, it recommended to consult a doctor for diagnosis and necessary treatment.