At a glance
What it is
Pain in or around the ankle joint, which can involve the bones, ligaments, tendons, or muscles. It may occur on the inside, outside, or along the Achilles tendon at the back of the heel.
Symptoms
Pain localised to the ankle or radiating along the Achilles tendon; swelling, stiffness, or difficulty bearing weight after injury.
Approach
Home treatment for mild cases; medical evaluation for severe pain, post-traumatic pain, or symptoms that do not settle with time.
What ankle pain is
Your ankle is an intricate network of bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles. Strong enough to bear your body weight and enable you to move, your ankle can be prone to injury and pain.
You might feel the pain on the inside or outside of your ankle or along the Achilles tendon, which connects the muscles in your lower leg to your heel bone. Although mild ankle pain often responds well to home treatments, it can take time to resolve. You should see your doctor for severe ankle pain, especially if it follows an injury.
Causes of ankle pain
Injury to any of the ankle bones, ligaments or tendons and several types of arthritis can cause ankle pain. Common causes include:
- Achilles tendinitis - Achilles tendon rupture - Avulsion fracture - Broken foot - Bursitis (joint inflammation) - Gout (arthritis related to excess uric acid) - Osteoarthritis (disease causing the breakdown of joints) - Osteochondritis dissecans - Plantar fasciitis - Pseudogout - Psoriatic arthritis - Reactive arthritis - Rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory joint disease) - Septic arthritis - Sprained ankle - Stress fractures - Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Book a consultation
The secretary schedules first appointments during clinic hours; please have prior imaging, operative notes and a current medication list available at the time of the call.
This page provides general information about ankle pain and is not a substitute for individual medical assessment. If your symptoms are severe or worsening, contact a clinician promptly.