Why Does Ankle Pain Occur? What Is the Treatment?

"The pain that occurs in the ankle without trauma can be a sign of different diseases."

Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Dr. Assistant Prof. Burak Çağrı Aksu, who emphasizes that ankle pain can have various causes and provide information about different diseases, stated, "What's important at this point is whether the pain is related to activity. Pain that occurs without any trauma or any remembered problem by the patient can lead us to different diseases." 
Ankle pain is one of the most common orthopedic problems and ranks high in emergency admissions. It can have various causes ranging from traumas to metabolic diseases. Orthopedics and Traumatology specialist Dr. Assistant Prof. Burak Çağrı Aksu pointed out that in this issue, which anyone can experience regardless of age, if the underlying cause is not treated, the pain can become chronic and even lead to different problems.
Pain can occur in a single area or throughout the entire ankle

Yeditepe Üniversitesi Kozyatağı Hastanesi Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Uzmanı Dr. Assistant Prof. Burak Aksu, especially in cases where there is no trauma or any remembered problem as the underlying cause of the pain, advises considering different diseases. He explained, "Although pain often occurs after trauma or chronic strenuous activities, it can also occur in the ankle area over time due to damage related to metabolic or rheumatic diseases. When patients come to us, they usually describe the pain in the ankle, but sometimes they may say that there is pain in the back, front, or side of the ankle. In some cases, patients may have complaints of pain that they cannot localize, meaning they say, 'My ankle hurts, but I can't describe it.'"

"The character of the pain in the foot provides information about the hidden diseases."

Dr. Assistant Prof. Aksu emphasizes the importance of knowing the character of the pain when determining the underlying cause. He provides the following information on the topic: "Some patients say their foot hurts, while others describe it as a burning sensation. All of these provide us with information about different diseases. But more importantly, it's whether the pain is related to activity. Because some pains are felt during or after activity, while others can be felt during periods when no activity is performed, such as at night. Also, pain that occurs without any trauma or any remembered problem by the patient can lead us to different diseases. We most commonly associate foot pain complaints with trauma or excessive use, but aside from that, we can see them arising from many diseases that affect the neural structure of the foot, such as herniated discs."

“Patients can experience long-lasting chronic pain”

Dr. Assistant Prof. Aksu, reminding us that the ankle consists of many bones and structures such as ligaments and tendons, which do not have their own blood vessels, explained that healing in these structures, when damaged, takes longer compared to bone and muscle tissue. In such cases, patients can experience long-lasting chronic pain. Dr. Aksu continued, "Especially if the pain is not due to an acute trauma and is related to inappropriate sports activity, it can develop gradually but eventually reach a point where it hinders the patient from bearing weight. Therefore, it's crucial to identify these issues in advance. That's why conscious sports should be practiced. Stretching exercises should be done before starting sports. Otherwise, patients may present with ligament injuries."

"If the pain persists, it's essential to consult a physician"

Dr. Assistant Prof. Aksu emphasizes the importance of paying attention to certain aspects in ankle pain that develops especially after trauma. He stated, "After trauma, if the patient cannot put any weight on their foot, cannot take a step, they should see a doctor without delay. If at least four or five steps can be taken and there is no rapid access to an orthopedic physician, in this case, the ankle can be elevated, and ice can be applied. However, if the complaints do not improve within a few days, it is essential to consult a doctor."

Dr. Assistant Prof. Aksu explains that if there is swelling or pain in the ankle without any traumatic cause, it is crucial to seek detailed examination from a physician without delay. He said, "Because these pains can be due to rheumatic reasons, and in rare cases, they can also be due to joint inflammation. Immediate intervention is necessary in such cases."

Different treatment approaches are applied based on the diagnosis

Dr. Assistant Prof. Burak Çağrı Aksu, an expert in Orthopedics and Traumatology at Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital, mentions that treatment methods can vary depending on the cause. He continues, "It is essential to determine the cause of the complaint, and in this regard, physical examination is very valuable. Depending on the patient's condition, we can further clarify the diagnosis with advanced tests. If there is regional cartilage damage, surgical treatments may be at the forefront. In cases of chronic tendon or ligament problems, we make use of injections."

"Unconscious interventions can lead to the exacerbation of problems."

Orthopedics and Traumatology specialist Dr. Assistant Prof. Burak Çağrı Aksu emphasizes that in some regions of our country, turning to individuals without medical knowledge, such as "bone setters," for problems that arise in the ankle can lead to the problem getting worse rather than being solved. He stated, "Unconscious interventions performed by untrained individuals can cause problems that could have been easily resolved to escalate. It is essential to act with awareness in this regard."