Anyone can experience ankle pain, but it’s how you treat it that matters.

No matter how athletic you are, there are times that even the strongest person reaches a limit. When we push our bodies too much, we often experience pain. If you’ve noticed ankle pain during your morning runs in Norridge, it might be time to do something about it.

Do you notice any of these symptoms?

• - Difficulty walking
• - Pain on the outer portion of the ankle
• - Stiffness
• - Inflammation
• - Tenderness
• - Ankle instability

These are the most common problems associated with ankle problems; however other causes of chronic ankle pain include bone fractures, arthritis, joint inflammation, nerve injury, scar tissue or a torn tendon.

Here are some of the ankle pain treatments in Norridge that you can expect when you visit our office:

Medication

When it comes to treating a condition, if more conservative options suffice, then we want to exhaust those first. This means using over-the-counter medication, prescription medication, or a combination of both. Anti-inflammatories will help to relieve swelling around the ankle. If the pain is severe, we may also recommend pain relievers or even steroid injections. Steroids can help alleviate inflammation and other symptoms faster and for longer periods of time.

However, it’s important that you talk to us about your medical history and any allergies you have before we put you on any medication.

Physical Therapy

Stretching and strengthening exercises are some of the most effective ways to increase durability and mobility in muscles and joints. We will show you the different exercises you can utilize to help with ankle pain, including tilt-board exercises. These exercises are particularly beneficial for those with limited mobility, as they don’t put stress on the ankle’s ligaments.

Over time you will notice a reduction in pain and swelling. As this happens we can begin incorporating inverted and everted ankle movements to your exercises.

When performing any stretching exercises be sure to hold them for at least 20 seconds each to give your muscles time to loosen up. Try three sets of each exercise at least twice a day, and build gradually from that.

Orthotics and Support

Rest is an essential part of healing; however when you are mobile, the use of ankle braces and ankle taping can help protect your foot from further injury, support the tendons and ligaments, and avoid putting weight on the painful areas.

Immobilization

If your ankle pain is due to a fracture or sprain, it’s important to stay off your foot. In fact, one study found that immobilization initially offered a faster recovery for ankle sprains. Immobilization may be necessary in the beginning stages of treatment, particularly for more severe conditions; however, we tend to utilize a combination of the above treatments to help get you back on your feet.

If you want to nip ankle pain in the bud, then give our Norridge, IL office a call so we can see you right away. The sooner you seek treatment, the better your performance will be.