There are some fairly common conditions and injuries that can result in pain being felt in the feet and the ankles, although it is more likely to feel pain in one of these areas rather than both. Below, we are going to have a look at some of these conditions and injuries in the hope that it will help you discover what is causing you your pain. If you are experiencing pain in your toes as well as your foot, it might be worth reading our article about pain in the toes from Monday.
Strains and sprains
Strains and sprains affect the ligaments and muscles in your ankles and feet. Typically, they happen when you change speed or direction quickly. They can also happen if you land on your ankle or foot awkwardly or collide with a person or object. You are likely going to experience pain and a swelling in and around the affected joint as well as bruising and tenderness. Strains and sprains typically heal by themselves with rest, ice, compression and elevation. You can also use painkillers if needed.
A fractured bone
A fractured bone in your ankle or foot can be caused in similar ways to sprains and strains. They can also occur gradually over time, as a result of doing a lot of high-impacts sports. The affected area is going to be painful and tender to the touch. If you suspect that you have a fractured bone, avoid putting weight on your foot and ankle and go to A&E.
Oedema
If your whole foot and ankle are swollen and painful, this can be the result of oedema. This is a build-up of fluid in the tissue which is causing the swelling. Oedema will usually affect the whole of your lower leg. You should make an appointment to see your GP, or if you think the swelling is very severe, go straight to A&E.
Arthritis
In older people, repeated occurrences of swelling and pain in the ankles or feet can be arthritis or a sudden worsening of the condition if you have it already. Osteoarthritis is caused by a general wear and tear to the tissues and results in the tissues becoming inflamed and painful. It is also possible to get rheumatoid arthritis in your feet and ankles. However, this is rare. If you think you have arthritis or that your arthritis is getting worse, go and see your GP.
We hope this list of the common conditions that result in pain in the ankles and feet has been helpful. Before you go, please have a look at some of the other articles on our blog. We have plenty of others that go into more detail about the conditions and injuries mentioned here as well as others that we couldn’t fit into this article. If you think that you have any of the conditions or injuries mentioned here, please go and see your GP. They will examine your feet and ankles, request further tests if needed and then diagnose you and help you get the treatments that you need.