Ankle Pain
Do daily activities such as walking around or climbing the stairs hurt due to ankle pain? If so, then you are likely limited in what you can do each day. It is either get things done and hurt, or avoid getting hurt, but there is no way to get everything done without the pain. We understand what that is like, and we are here to tell you some good news. There are things that can be done to help make your ankle pain a thing of the past. Here at Epic Healthcare & Physical Medicine, we know how to help treat all types of pain. Let us help give you back the ability to live your life.
Where Does Ankle Pain Come From?
There are quite a few different things that can lead to daily ankle pain. Since your ankle has so many components, they all need to work together in harmony to avoid pain. Even one of these components not working properly can lead to regular, chronic ankle pain. You may have a problem with the bones in the ankle, the muscles that hold it in place, or the tendons and ligaments that help it move properly. Each of these components is fragile, so even one wrong move can lead to pain.
Things like walking in the wrong type of shoes or walking on your toes for no reason can lead to ankle pain. Ailments like arthritis and bursitis can also cause pain in your ankles. Injuries that lead to strains, sprains, dislocations, and fractures can also cause long-term pain. Each of these problems has a different treatment regimen to help it feel better. If you treat the pain, it can help your ankle feel better, which can give you back your quality of life.
What Type of Treatments Can You Use at Home to Help with Ankle Pain?
When you struggle with ankle pain, at-home treatment is often what you consider first. This may be resting with your ankle elevated or trying to alternate between ice and heat packs. These are both great options, if the pain is temporary or it just started. However, they may not help if you have been struggling with ankle pain for quite some time.
Another option is putting a brace on your ankle. This can help your ankle stay in place, plus the pressure can help you get relief from pain. You can also try taking some over the counter medications that reduce inflammation, such as naproxen sodium or ibuprofen. These can reduce the swelling in the joint, which can provide extensive relief from pain under the right circumstances.
What if At-Home Treatments Do Not Relieve Your Ankle Pain?
You still have options if none of the at-home treatments give you enough relief. You would need to come in and let us help see what is causing your pain. Once we have an idea where your ankle pain comes from, we can then help treat it. First, we can try physical therapy. This helps you learn how to move your ankle joint properly, without pain. It strengthens the joint, and gives you back the ability to use your ankle without it slipping out of alignment.
Another option you have is getting the bones in your ankle realigned. Most people would only go in and see a chiropractor when their back gets sore. However, chiropractors are able to help with pain in many other parts of the body, too. If you have issues with your ankles, they can also help. Your ankle pain may stem from a misalignment in your back, or even in parts of your legs or ankles. Once those parts of your body go back into their proper place, you can start to heal and get relief.
There are some people who would prefer to try medication or surgery to relieve their ankle pain. However, these have downsides you need to consider as well. Pain medication runs the risk of being something your body relies on. This is a danger that comes with using any type of prescription pain reliever. Plus, surgery is no guarantee of relief. Once surgery is done, there is also a lot of recovery time to consider. That is a lot of risk when you do not have a guarantee that you will feel better when all is said and done.