Ankle pain is more than just a minor annoyance. When your ankle hurts, everything becomes much more difficult, from walking your dog to sleeping at night. Fortunately, your Norridge, IL, podiatrist, Dr. Laura Pickard of Norridge Foot Clinic, offers a variety of treatment for ankle pain.

Do you have any of these symptoms?

In addition to pain, ankle injuries can cause:

• Instability: Your ankle may buckle when you walk or stand.
• Swelling: Swelling is common after ankle injuries. The symptom occurs when blood flow to the injured area increases.
• Stiffness: Stiffness often accompanies swelling but may also happen if you have arthritis in your ankle joint.
• Bruising: Bruising may also occur over the injured area.
• Deformity: If your ankle is broken, the bones may move out of place.
• Difficulty Walking: Walking and standing can require considerable effort if you've injured your ankle.

What causes ankle pain?

Sprains are one of the most common causes of ankle pain. The injury occurs when you stretch or tear the ligaments that hold the bones together in your ankle joint. Sprains can range from mild to severe and may cause instability in some cases.

Fractures can occur after a fall, jump or accident and don't always displace your bones. If you can't put any weight on your foot and your ankle is painful, swollen, stiff, and bruised, call your foot doctor right away or visit the emergency room.

Other causes of ankle pain can include arthritis, gout, scar tissue, tendon injuries, bursitis, nerve damage, and joint inflammation.

How can my Norridge, IL, foot doctor help me?

Treatment of ankle pain depends on the cause but may include an brace to improve the stability of your ankle. If your ankle is broken or severely sprained, walking boots, casts, and crutches will reduce pressure on the joint, allowing it to heal.

If over-the-counter pain medication isn't effective, your podiatrist may recommend steroid medication to reduce inflammation and pain. Physical therapy can be very helpful during your recovery from an ankle injury. The therapy strengthens the muscles that support your ankle and improves flexibility and range of motion in the joint. Surgery isn't usually needed for ankle pain but may be an option if other treatments aren't successful.

Are you concerned about ankle pain? It may be time for a visit to your podiatrist's Norridge, IL office. Call Dr. Pickard at Norridge Foot Clinic at (773) 625-2211 to schedule an appointment.