What Dr. Pickard wants you to know about ankle pain

If you have ankle pain, it may go away on its own, but it can also be a sign of chronic lateral ankle pain. Don’t ignore the discomfort and try to walk it off. This could make your ankle feel much worse and keep it from healing. If you have ankle pain, you should see Dr. Laura Pickard, at Norridge Foot Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. She wants to help you feel better!

Chronic lateral ankle pain can happen if you have suffered a sprained ankle. Some of the signs and symptoms of chronic lateral ankle pain include:

• Recurrent, sometimes intense pain on the outside of your ankle
• Instability at your ankle and difficulty walking on uneven ground
• Swelling, tenderness and stiffness of your ankle
• Repeated sprains of your ankle

Repeated ankle sprains can cause chronic lateral ankle pain, but there are other causes too, including:

• Inflammation or arthritis of your ankle joint
• Fracture of one of the bones in your ankle joint
• Scar tissue developed after a sprained ankle
• Inflammation of a tendon or a torn tendon
• Injury to the nerves passing through your ankle

If you believe you might be suffering from chronic lateral ankle pain, it’s best to see Dr. Pickard as soon as you can. She can offer many effective treatments to get you back on your feet again. She may recommend:

• Prescription anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and swelling
• Physical therapy to strengthen your muscles and restore your range of motion
• Steroid medications
• Ankle braces or casts to support or immobilize your ankle

To prevent ankle sprains be sure to use adequate lighting including night lights in your home and remove items on the floor you might trip on. Also, wear supportive shoes and avoid high heels. If you have ankle pain, it isn’t something you should just walk off. It’s time to call your podiatrist, Dr. Laura Pickard at Norridge Foot Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. She can help you get back on your feet, so call today!