Foot and Ankle Pain

Pain in the foot and the ankle could be caused due to a variety of reasons. It could be attributed to foot injuries or could be a symptom of medical conditions such as arthritis, ankle tendinitis or plantar fasciitis. Formation of corns, calluses or bone spurs in feet could also lead to foot pain. Ankle injury caused due to tearing of the ligaments is the most common foot injury that causes pain in the ankle region.

Causes

Do you often experience foot and ankle pain while running? Did you notice any swelling around your ankles? Pain and swelling in foot could be caused due to a variety of reasons. Let's look into the possible reasons.

Sprain
The most common injury that is likely to cause pain and swelling in the foot and ankle is an ankle sprain. Ankle sprain is caused due to tearing of ligaments, that are bands of tissue that connect the bones to each other and provide support to the ankle joint. These could get overstretched or torn due to the sudden rolling or twisting movements while running or even walking on uneven surfaces. The symptoms of an ankle sprain include pain, tenderness in the sprained ankle, stiffness in the ankle joint, bruising and swelling. The severity of the symptoms depends on the degree of sprain. The symptoms will be more severe in a third degree sprain which is associated with complete rupture of the ligaments in the ankle, unlike the first and second degree sprain where the ligament gets overstretched or partially torn.

Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a medical condition associated with the inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of connective tissue that covers the bones located at the bottom of our feet. This thick band of tissue runs from the bottom of the heel bone to the ball of the foot. Inflammation of plantar fascia due to an overuse is most likely to cause heel pain. Those who indulge in physical activities that exert excessive pressure on the heel bone and the tissues are more likely to develop this condition. People suffering from obesity, structural foot abnormalities or a defective gait are also at an increased risk of suffering from plantar fasciitis. Wearing an ill fitting footwear could also give rise to an inflamed plantar fascia and that would give rise to pain.

Calcaneal Fractures
The calcaneus bone refers to the quadrangular heel bone located at the rear part of the foot. It is the largest of the tarsal bones and supports our entire body weight while walking. It comprises a tough outer part which encloses a soft spongy bone. A calcaneal fracture is one of the most common tarsal bone fractures which is commonly caused due to a fall from a great height or overuse injuries. Since this heel bone supports the lateral column of the foot and carries our entire body weight when we walk, damage to the calcaneus gives rise to pain while walking.

Arthritic Conditions
Medical conditions such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, septic arthritis and tendonitis could also cause pain. Gout is caused when large amounts of uric acid gets accumulated in the joints. If uric acid gets accumulated in the ankle joint, it gives rise to pain and swelling in the ankle region. Those suffering from inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and Achilles tendonitis are also likely to suffer from pain and swelling in the ankles. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease which is associated with the wear and tear of the cartilage. Cartilage is a connective tissue that is found at the end of the bones in the joints. It acts like a cushion and protects the bones. If the joints in the feet get affected by osteoarthritis, it gives rise to pain, stiffness, swelling in or around the joint and restricts the range of motion.

Treatment

Since pain in the feet could be caused due to a variety of reasons, the treatment will depend on the underlying cause. Many a time, pain could be experienced by people who perform high-impact exercises such as running, jogging and other sports. Those who have been experiencing pain from running must make sure that they wear a good quality footwear. They must discontinue the strenuous exercises or activities that put pressure on their feet and get themselves medically examined. The pain could be caused due to a twist in the ankle or an overuse injury. Doctors generally conduct an X-ray to determine the type of injury. Those suffering from a sprain will have to wear a cast in order to compress or hold the ligament in place while it heals. One has to take ample rest and avoid putting pressure on the injured ankle so as to speed up the recovery.

Painkillers or steroids might be prescribed for the treatment of a sprained ankle. Once there are signs of recovery, the patient could also benefit from physical therapy. If the pain in and around the top of the foot is caused due to other medical conditions, you must follow the treatment plan chalked out by your doctor. The treatment could involve use of orthotic devices, medicines and physical therapy. Since wearing ill fitting footwear is one of the most common causes of pain, you must make sure that you wear shoes that fit you perfectly.

Since ankle swelling and pain could be caused due to serious medical conditions, therefore, people suffering from the aforementioned symptoms must consult a doctor immediately.