The ankle region is a complex and one of the most hardworking regions of the human body. For most people, it is not uncommon to experience ankle pain at some point in their lives. But what are some of the viable treatment options for ankle pain?
The most suitable treatment for ankle pain and swelling depends on what causes ankle bone pain. Mild ankle pain may be nothing too serious, and a home remedy may suffice. However, pain that doesn’t resolve within 24 hours may indicate a more serious underlying issue and will need a clear diagnosis.
Symptoms of Ankle Pain
Trained healthcare providers such as podiatrists, orthopedic surgeons, and physiotherapists carefully examine ankle pain causes, and treatment is then decided. Seek immediate medical attention if you:
- Exhibit signs of infection such as warmth, redness, discoloration, high fever, and tenderness in the affected area
- Have severe pain and swelling even after taking pain medication
- Have a deformity or an open wound
- Cannot put weight on your foot
- Have persistent pain lasting longer than three months
- Have diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or scleroderma
How to Cure Ankle Pain At Home
Your physician may guide you on how to cure ankle joint pain at home using the RICE method. This is a four-step therapy to treat ankle pain and includes:
- Rest – Most doctors consulted on how to help ankle pain from running recommend rest. Avoid putting weight on the injured foot or ankle. Take a break from exercising. Instead, try moving the ankle gently from time to time to stop the area from getting stiff.
- Ice – Place an ice pack or frozen peas, covered in a damp cloth, on the painful area for 20 minutes every 2-3 hours. You can also take an ice slush bath when pain occurs.
- Compression – wrap a compression bandage around the ankle to reduce swelling. It should be tight enough to offer support, but not too tight that your toes turn blue from restricted blood flow.
- Elevate – Ensure the foot is above your heart’s level on a stack of pillows or any other support structure to reduce swelling.
Gentle periodic massage is an effective way of treating ankle pain from running. It reduces inflammation and increases blood flow. You can use your hand to gently flex the ankle up and down. Some over-the-counter pain medications such as naproxen sodium (Aleve) ease pain and aid healing. Avoid hot baths, alcohol, and heat packs in the fast few days as they affect treatment for ankle pain.
How to Treat Ankle Pain through Non-Surgical Methods
Sometimes, ankle pain and swelling treatment will need more than home remedies. It’s best to visit a center offering ankle pain treatment near me for a detailed diagnosis. Most times the diagnosis is done without the need for scans, x-rays, or blood tests, unless the pain is being caused by a condition, such as arthritis. In such a case, a podiatrist will come up with the best treatment for ankle pain without injury.
Soft tissue takes time to heal, but there are things you can do to help speed up the recovery process. Below are some non-surgical remedies to treat ankle pain.
Braces and Splints
Ankle braces are reliable for front ankle pain treatment. They are available in various sizes and levels of support. Some braces can be worn with regular shoes while others resemble a cast encompassing both the ankle and foot. Braces and splits are readily available at the drug store or pharmacy. It’s best to consult your doctor for the best braces for ankle pain and swelling treatment.
Medications
In the treatment of ankle pain without injury like bursitis, arthritis, and gout you may not completely heal the injury. However, the pain can be managed by using topical pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and swelling.
Joint Aspiration (Arthrocentesis)
An ankle pain tendonitis treatment procedure is done to remove excess fluid in the ankle joint using a sterile needle and syringe. This fluid is then examined to determine the cause and how to cure ankle pain. Joint aspirations are easily performed at an outpatient center for ankle pain treatment near me or the bedside of inpatients.
Orthotic Inserts
These are inserts that fit into shoes. They help support, stabilize, and ensure proper alignment of the foot to reduce ankle pain. You can get them from the store in different sizes and degrees of stiffness. A doctor can also customize the inserts depending on what causes ankle bone pain.
Exercise and Physical Therapy (PT)
Do some research on how to relieve ankle joint pain through guided and targeted exercises. They help in treating ankle pain from running and stiffness. Start gently and slowly build up as the exercise becomes easier or more comfortable. However, if the movements cause even more pain, stop and consult a healthcare provider.
Physiotherapy is an important treatment for ankle injury in almost all orthopedic conditions. Consult a physiotherapist on how to relieve ankle pain from running. Together, you can create a customized PT plan to improve flexibility and strengthen muscles through exercises and stretches.
Steroid Injections
Runners and other athletes are prone to ankle injuries and tendonitis. Anti-inflammatory ankle pain tendonitis treatment medication, such as cortisone, can be injected directly into the joint to reduce swelling, stiffness, and pain in the area. These injections act within a few hours with the effects said to last 3 to 6 months later.
Steroid procedure is a non-surgical and non-invasive ankle pain running treatment meaning athletes get back in the game after a few rest days. It’s a recommended solution for patients seeking how to treat tendonitis of the ankle.
Treating Ankle Pain Through Surgery
Surgery is usually the last resort for the treatment of ankle injury when all else fails. Most patients who undergo surgery usually have recurrent and persistent symptoms or are looking for how to cure tendonitis in the ankle permanently.
One surgical front ankle pain treatment is the Brostrom repair procedure. It’s a treatment for ankle pain and swelling caused by a loose ligament. During surgery, an orthopedic surgeon tightens ligaments on the outside of the ankle making the ankle more stable. Other surgical options include correcting flat feet and joint replacement to restore ankle functionality.
