What if ankle just hurts when you walk?

Possible Causes:

- Ligament sprain: Overstretching or tearing the ligaments that support your ankle can cause pain when walking. This can occur during sports or other physical activities that involve twisting or turning your ankle.

- Tendonitis: Inflammation of the tendons around your ankle can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness. This can be caused by overuse, such as from prolonged walking, running, or other repetitive activities.

- Stress fractures: Small cracks in the bones of your ankle can cause pain that worsens with activity and gets better with rest. Stress fractures are often caused by overuse or sudden changes in activity level.

- Arthritis: Degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, can damage the cartilage in your ankle and cause pain, stiffness, and swelling.

- Nerve compression: Pressure on the nerves around your ankle can cause pain, numbness, or tingling. This can be caused by a variety of conditions, such as a bone spur or a ganglion cyst.

- Infection: A bacterial or viral infection in your ankle can cause pain, fever, and swelling.

- Other causes: Less common causes of ankle pain when walking include ankle instability, gout, and complex regional pain syndrome.

When to See a Doctor:

If the pain in your ankle is persistent, severe, or getting worse, it's important to see a doctor for evaluation and treatment. This is especially important if you're having difficulty walking or bearing weight on your ankle.

Treatment:

The treatment for ankle pain depends on the underlying cause. Treatment may include:

- Rest: Resting your ankle can help reduce inflammation and pain. Avoid activities that aggravate the pain.

- Ice: Applying ice packs to your ankle for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day, can help reduce swelling and pain.

- Compression: Wearing an elastic bandage or compression wrap around your ankle can help reduce swelling and provide support.

- Elevation: Elevating your ankle above your heart when you're sitting or lying down can help reduce swelling.

- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help relieve pain and inflammation.

- Physical therapy: Physical therapy exercises can help strengthen the muscles around your ankle and improve your range of motion.

- Orthotics: Custom orthotics can help correct foot abnormalities and reduce stress on your ankle.

- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair damaged ligaments, tendons, or bone.