Overview
Walking, running, standing, etc can be difficult after waking up in the morning or after a resting period and this can be due to morning stiffness of the ankle joint. This can be severe but it normally lasts for less than 30 minutes. Morning stiffness is a frequent condition that can impact us all over the body, including the ankles. While stiff ankles in the morning are often associated with the ageing process, they can also be caused by a variety of traumas. Know the causes and seek medical help.
What is Ankle Pain?
Ankle pain refers to any kind of pain or discomfort that affects any part of the ankle. It usually gets better with at-home therapies with the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) method. A physical therapy program can help you strengthen your muscles and avoid another injury.
The therapy for an ankle sprain is determined by the degree of the injury. While there are several over-the-counter medications and home remedies for ankle pain, a medical evaluation is required to determine the extent of the injury.
Causes of Ankle Pain?
Ankle pain can be caused due to several injuries and conditions. Here are some of the most common causes of ankle pain:
Fractures
Accidents or various injuries can cause bone fracture. Fractured ankles involving bones in any part of the ankle joint can cause ankle swelling and pain.
Sprains
An ankle sprain happens when ligaments stretch or tear and are the most common causes of ankle pain. The sprain happens when the ankle rolls forcefully out of its normal position.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is a soft-tissue injury caused by irritated, inflamed tendons. Sometimes, a tendon can tear and may need surgical repair.
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Treatment for Ankle Pain:
The ultimate goal of treating a sprained ankle is to reduce swelling and pain, promote healing, and restore normal ankle function.
Most ankle pain gets better with the RICE method, which is one of the standard home remedies for ankle pain caused by a sprained ankle. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
Rest
If you have an injury, such as a sprain, you should take rest. You can walk on crutches or a walking boot to avoid putting pressure on your ankle.
Ice
Apply ice or a cold compress to the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes every few hours to reduce swelling.
Compression
Wrap the ankle in a compression bandage. Wrapping too tightly can cause numbness and the toe may also turn blue.
Elevation
Inflammation and pain can be reduced by elevating the ankle while lying on the bed.To lift the ankle above the heart level, place a pair of pillows under it.
Physical Therapy for Ankle Stiffness:
Physical therapy can help to increase range of motion in the ankles to improve general functionality, whether it's due to a reversible accident or a nonreversible condition like arthritis.
The following primary physical therapy methods can be used to treat ankle pain:
Therapeutic exercises
Strengthening the soft tissues around these joints through this exercise, can help in supporting the body and enabling movement.
Active and passive stretches
Targeted stretches, whether performed by the patient or on the patient by a therapist, can help to improve range of motion and reduce stiffness.
Manual therapies
Morning ankle stiffness can be reduced by using joint and soft tissue mobilisation therapies.
Education and lifestyle recommendations
The therapist can help you to learn about factors like posture, diet, ergonomics and how they can affect your specific condition and develop an effective plan to address these issues
When to consult a doctor?
Those who have severe swelling or bruising, along with the inability to put weight or pressure on the area without major pain, should consult a doctor.
Seek medical help if there is no improvement during the course of the first few days.
At Medicover Hospitals, we provide patients with specialised orthopaedic surgery with 24-hour care, examination, and world-class treatment methods. We treat a wide spectrum of ankle-related orthopaedic problems. Our team has years of experience performing ankle repair surgery and we promise the best service for your complete recovery.
