Ankle Pain Symptoms

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The ankle joint is the meeting of the bones of the leg and the foot and is responsible for the up and down motion of the foot. In popular usage, the ankle is often considered to be the ankle joint plus the surrounding anatomic region, including the lower end of the leg and the start of the flat part of the foot. Pain in the ankle can result from inflammation or injury to any of the structures in this region, including the bones, joint space, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, or muscles.

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REFERENCE:

Fauci, Anthony S., et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2008.

Main Article on Ankle Pain
  • Ankle Pain and Tendinitis Ankle pain is commonly due to a sprain or tendinitis. The severity of ankle sprains ranges from mild (which can resolve within...learn more »

    Terms related to Ankle Pain:

    • Ankle Sprain
    • Sprained Ankle
Causes of Ankle Pain
    • Ankylosing Spondylitis Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes chronic inflammation of the spine. The tendency to develop ankylosing...learn more »
      In This Article
      Ankylosing Spondylitis Article
      • Ankylosing spondylitis facts
      • What is ankylosing spondylitis?
      • What causes ankylosing spondylitis?
      • What are ankylosing spondylitis symptoms and signs?
      • How is ankylosing spondylitis diagnosed?
      • What are ankylosing spondylitis treatment options?
      • Can ankylosing spondylitis be prevented?
      • What is the prognosis (outlook) for patients with ankylosing spondylitis?
      • What is in the future for patients with ankylosing spondylitis?
      • Where can people find more information about ankylosing spondylitis and learn about support groups?
    • Arthritis Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness...learn more »
      In This Article
      Arthritis Article
      • Arthritis facts
      • What is arthritis? What causes arthritis?
      • What are risk factors for arthritis?
      • What are arthritis symptoms and signs?
      • Who is affected by arthritis?
      • How is arthritis diagnosed, and why is a diagnosis important?
      • What is the treatment for arthritis?
      • Is there a special diet for arthritis?
      • What are the prognosis (outlook) for arthritis, and what are arthritis complications?
      • Can arthritis be prevented?
      • What is the national financial impact of arthritis?
      • What is a rheumatologist?
      • What is the Arthritis Foundation?
    • Bone Fracture (Broken Bone) Fractures occur when bone cannot withstand the outside forces applied to the bone. Fractures can be open or closed. Types of...learn more »
      In This Article
      Bone Fracture (Broken Bone) Article
      • Bone fracture facts
      • Introduction and definition of bone fracture
      • What causes a bone fracture?
      • What are the signs and symptoms of a bone fracture?
      • What are common types of bone fractures?
      • Broken wrist
      • Broken hip
      • Broken leg
      • Broken shoulder
      • Broken hand or fingers
      • Open fracture
      • Stress fracture
      • Compression fracture
      • Broken rib
      • Skull fracture
      • Other fractures
      • Bone fracture in children
      • How is a bone fracture diagnosed?
      • What is the treatment for a bone fracture?
      • Bone fracture surgery
    • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome And Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which irritation of the wrist's median nerve causes tingling and numbness of the thumb,...learn more »
      In This Article
      Carpal Tunnel Syndrome And Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Article
      • What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
      • What is tarsal tunnel syndrome?
      • What conditions and diseases cause carpal tunnel syndrome?
      • What are carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms?
      • How is carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosed?
      • What is the treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome? Can carpal tunnel syndrome be prevented?
      • What are complications of carpal tunnel syndrome?
      • What is the prognosis for carpal tunnel syndrome and tarsal tunnel syndrome?
      • Carpal tunnel syndrome and tarsal tunnel syndrome facts
    • Cellulitis Cellulitis is an acute spreading bacterial infection below the surface of the skin characterized by redness, warmth,...learn more »
      In This Article
      Cellulitis Article
      • Cellulitis facts
      • What is cellulitis?
      • What are cellulitis symptoms and signs?
      • Where does cellulitis occur?
      • What does cellulitis look like?
      • What are cellulitis risk factors?
      • What causes cellulitis?
      • Is cellulitis contagious?
      • How is cellulitis diagnosed, and what is the treatment for cellulitis?
      • Can cellulitis be prevented?
      • What is the outlook/prognosis for cellulitis?
    • Gout Gout is a condition that results from crystals of uric acid depositing in tissues of the body. Gout is a condition that can lead...learn more »
      In This Article
      Gout Article
      • Gout and hyperuricemia facts
      • What is gout? What is hyperuricemia?
      • Who is affected by gout?
      • What are gout causes and risk factors?
      • What are gout symptoms and signs?
      • How is gouty arthritis diagnosed?
      • What is the treatment for gout?
      • Gout diet
      • Gout medications
      • What are complications of gout?
      • Can gout be prevented?
      • What is the prognosis (outlook) for patients with gout?
      • What does the future hold for patients with gout and hyperuricemia?
    • Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis caused by inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of cartilage in the joints. Also...learn more »
      In This Article
      Osteoarthritis Article
      • Osteoarthritis facts
      • What is osteoarthritis?
      • What causes osteoarthritis?
      • What are osteoarthritis symptoms and signs?
      • How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?
      • What is the treatment for osteoarthritis?
      • "If I have minimal or no symptoms with early signs of osteoarthritis, what should I do?"
      • What is the prognosis (outlook) for patients with osteoarthritis?
      • Can osteoarthritis be prevented?
      • What does the future hold for osteoarthritis?
      • Where can people get more information about osteoarthritis?
    • Osteomyelitis Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone. Potential causes include injections around the bone, fractures that puncture the skin,...learn more »
      In This Article
      Osteomyelitis Article
      • Osteomyelitis facts
      • What is osteomyelitis?
      • What causes osteomyelitis?
      • What are osteomyelitis symptoms and signs?
      • How is osteomyelitis diagnosed?
      • What is the treatment for osteomyelitis?
      • What is the prognosis for osteomyelitis?
    • Pseudogout Pseudogout, a form of arthritis, results when deposits of crystals collect in and around the joints. Symptoms of pseudogout...learn more »
      In This Article
      Pseudogout Article
      • Pseudogout facts
      • What is pseudogout?
      • What are causes of pseudogout?
      • What are risk factors for pseudogout?
      • What are pseudogout symptoms and signs?
      • How does a doctor diagnose pseudogout?
      • What are treatments for pseudogout?
      • What other conditions can accompany pseudogout?
      • Are there special circumstances that can promote attacks of pseudogout?
      • What are complications of pseudogout?
      • What is the prognosis (outlook) of pseudogout?
      • Can pseudogout be prevented?
    • Psoriatic Arthritis Psoriatic arthritis is a disease that causes skin and joint inflammation. Symptoms include painful, stiff, and swollen joints,...learn more »
      In This Article
      Psoriatic Arthritis Article
      • Psoriatic arthritis facts
      • What is psoriatic arthritis?
      • What causes psoriatic arthritis?
      • What are psoriatic arthritis symptoms and signs?
      • How does the doctor diagnose psoriatic arthritis?
      • What is the treatment for psoriatic arthritis?
      • Disease-modifying medications
      • What is the outlook (prognosis) for patients with psoriatic arthritis?
      • Can psoriatic arthritis be prevented?
      • What does the future hold for patients with psoriatic arthritis?
    • Reactive Arthritis Reactive arthritis is a chronic, systemic rheumatic disease characterized by three conditions, including conjunctivitis, joint...learn more »
      In This Article
      Reactive Arthritis Article
      • Reactive arthritis facts
      • What is reactive arthritis?
      • What causes reactive arthritis?
      • What are risk factors for developing reactive arthritis?
      • What are reactive arthritis symptoms and signs?
      • How is reactive arthritis diagnosed?
      • How is reactive arthritis treated?
      • What is the prognosis of reactive arthritis?
      • Can reactive arthritis be prevented?
      • What does the future hold for reactive arthritis?
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints, as...learn more »
      In This Article
      Rheumatoid Arthritis Article
      • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) facts
      • What is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
      • What are causes and risk factors of rheumatoid arthritis?
      • What are rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and signs?
      • What are complications of rheumatoid disease?
      • How is rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed?
      • What is the treatment for rheumatoid arthritis?
      • "First-line" rheumatoid arthritis medications
      • "Second-line" or "slow-acting" rheumatoid arthritis drugs
      • What are newer treatments for rheumatoid arthritis?
      • What about rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy?
      • Rheumatoid arthritis diet and other treatments
      • What is the prognosis (outlook) for patients with rheumatoid arthritis?
      • Can rheumatoid arthritis be prevented?
      • What research is being done on rheumatoid arthritis?
      • Where can people get additional information on rheumatoid arthritis?
    • Septic Arthritis Septic arthritis, or infectious arthritis, is infection of one or more joints by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Symptoms and signs...learn more »
      In This Article
      Septic Arthritis Article
      • What is septic arthritis?
      • What microbes cause septic arthritis?
      • Who is at risk of developing septic arthritis?
      • What are symptoms and signs of septic arthritis?
      • How is septic arthritis diagnosed?
      • How is septic arthritis treated?
      • What are complications of septic arthritis?
      • Septic Arthritis At A Glance
    • Sprains and Strains An injury to a ligament is called a sprain, and an injury to muscle or tendon is called a strain. Sprains and strains may be...learn more »
      In This Article
      Sprains and Strains Article
      • Muscle sprains and strains facts
      • What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?
      • What causes a sprain or strain?
      • Where do sprains and strains usually occur?
      • What are sprain symptoms and signs?
      • How are sprains and strains diagnosed?
      • How are sprains and strains treated?
      • What is the recovery time for sprains and strains?
      • Can sprains and strains be prevented?
      • What is the prognosis of sprains and strains?
      • Where can people find more information about sprains and strains?
Other Causes of Ankle Pain
  • Achilles Tendonitis
  • Nerve Damage (Neuropathy)
  • Ruptured Tendon
  • Trauma
  • Tumors
Examples of Medications for Ankle Pain
  • acetaminophen, Tylenol and Others
  • ketoprofen None (Note: previous brand names no longer available in the US include Orudis, Oruvail)
  • naproxen, Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn, Aleve


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