Ankle Pain

Achilles tendinitis is a very common injury of the lower extremities and is most common among athletic patients, particularly runners. 

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel and is the largest tendon in the body. We use our Achilles tendons during many activities, like walking, running, climbing stairs, and jumping. Achilles tendons can take on a great deal of stress, but they are also susceptible to inflammation. This inflammation is known as Achilles tendinitis.

An Achilles tendon rupture is a complete or partial tear that occurs when the tendon is stretched beyond its capacity. A tendon is a band of tissue that connects a muscle to a bone. The Achilles tendon runs down the back of the lower leg and connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Also called the “heel cord,” the Achilles tendon facilitates walking by helping to raise the heel off the ground. 

Forceful jumping or pivoting, or sudden accelerations of running, can overstretch the tendon and cause a tear. An injury to the tendon can also result from falling or tripping. 

Ankle arthritis is a degenerative condition (also known as osteoarthritis) that can cause pain, stiffness, and disability of the ankles. Over time, the protective cartilage in the ankle begins to wear away, eventually causing the bones in the ankle to rub against each other. Ankle arthritis can be just as disabling as hip arthritis, but it is not as well-known as other types of arthritis.

An ankle fracture is a common injury that is most often caused by the ankle rolling inward or outward. A fracture is a partial or complete break in a bone. 

An ankle fracture can range from the less serious “avulsion” injury (small pieces of bone that have been pulled off) to severe shattering-type breaks of the tibia and fibula. An injury can also be a combination of both.

Unfortunately, many people mistake an ankle fracture for an ankle sprain, but they are quite different and therefore require an accurate and early diagnosis.

An ankle sprain is an injury to one or more ligaments in the ankle, usually on the outside of the ankle. More specifically, the ankle sprain is an injury to the lateral ligamentous complex, comprising the anterior talofibular ligament and the calcaneofibular ligament. These are the ligaments that support the ankle. Ligaments are bands of tissue (like rubber bands) that connect one bone to another and bind the joints together. In the ankle joint, ligaments provide stability by limiting side-to-side movement.

Some ankle sprains are much worse than others. The severity of an ankle sprain depends on whether the ligament is stretched, partially torn, completely torn, or involves a number of ligaments. Ankle sprains are not the same as strains, which affect muscles rather than ligaments.

If you have persistent ankle pain that hasn’t improved after 2 to 5 days of home treatment, schedule an office visit with Dr. Tea Nguyen at Pacific Point Podiatry. Call us at (831) 288-3400 or request an appointment online.