When you suffer from ankle pain, it can affect your ability to stand, support your weight, and walk. Knowing what can cause ankle pain and when to visit a foot and ankle specialist is important. The podiatrists at Thurber & Thurber Podiatric Medicine & Foot Surgery offer comprehensive foot and ankle services, including diagnosing and treating ankle pain. They have several convenient office locations in Horseheads, Waverly, and Elmira, NY, to help you.

What You Need To Know About Ankle Pain

You may develop ankle pain suddenly due to an accident, sports injury, or trauma. Ankle pain can also develop gradually due to a medical condition like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

If you experience minor, occasional ankle pain, you can treat it yourself. You should:

• Apply ice or heat to your ankle to reduce swelling and relieve pain
• Rest and elevate your ankle to relieve swelling and enable your ankle to heal
• Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medication to help relieve pain and decrease swelling
• Wear an ankle brace to help provide stability, enabling you to move around while your ankle heals

So, when should you visit your foot and ankle specialist? You need to see a foot and ankle specialist if you are experiencing:

• Chronic, intense pain on the outside of your ankle
• Unstable ankle movement
• Problems walking on uneven surfaces
• Recurrent swelling and stiffness in your ankle
• Frequent ankle sprains

If you are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms listed above, schedule an appointment with your foot and ankle specialist. Diagnosis begins with a thorough ankle examination and may include imaging studies. Depending on the cause of your ankle pain, you may need:

• Prescription strength anti-inflammatory medication to reduce ankle swelling
• Physical therapy and stretching to increase range of motion and flexibility
• Steroid medications to reduce swelling and pain
• Walking casts or ankle braces to support your ankle
• Surgical treatment to repair and restore torn ligaments, tendons, or fractured bones

Want To Know More About Ankle Pain?

Talk with the experts to discover more about the common causes of ankle pain and when to visit your podiatrist. Call the podiatrists at Thurber & Thurber Podiatric Medicine & Foot Surgery. You can reach them at:

• Elmira, NY, by calling (607) 734-4582
• Horseheads, NY, by calling (607) 739-8318
• Waverly, NY, by calling (607) 565-8128

Call today.