What is ankle pain?

Ankle pain is when the area around your ankle is sore or uncomfortable. This may get worse when walking.

People of any age can get ankle pain, but it’s more common in people aged over 55 years.

Your ankle joint is formed by 3 bones and held together by a group of ligaments. Your ankle lets your foot move around in different ways.

What symptoms are related to ankle pain?

As well as pain in your ankle, you may have:

• swelling
• redness
• a change in the shape of your ankle
• cuts and bruises
• poor blood flow
• a fever — a temperature of 38C or higher
• difficulty standing (weight bearing)

If you have a stress fracture, you might feel a dull pain at night.

What causes ankle pain?

There are many possible causes of ankle pain.

Acute (sudden) ankle pain is caused by damage to the bones or ligaments in your ankle. This damage could be due to an injury or fall, causing:

• an ankle sprain or strain
• a fracture or stress fracture in your ankle
• a dislocated ankle joint
• an infection in your ankle joint or ankle bones (osteomyelitis)

If you have recently started exercising, your body may need some time to adjust. This new activity can result in foot or ankle pain.

There are some conditions that might cause ankle pain over time, such as:

• arthritis — a term for many conditions that affect the joints of your body
• osteoarthritis — a type of arthritis that causes your joints to become painful and stiff
• tendinitis — an inflamed tendon
• bursitis — inflammation of the bursae (fluid filled ‘cushions’ that protect your tendons where they touch bone)

How is the cause of ankle pain diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your ankle pain. They will want to know when your ankle pain started and if anything makes it feel better or worse. You might be asked if the pain is limiting your usual activities. Your doctor will examine your ankle and may do a general examination.

Tests your doctor may recommend are:

• an x-ray of your ankle
• an ultrasound scan of your ankle
• blood tests

These can help your doctor to work out what is causing your pain.

Your doctor may suggest that you see a physiotherapist for further advice and treatment.

When should I see my doctor?

You may be able to manage short-term ankle pain yourself with rest and by using treatments from the pharmacy.

You should see your doctor if:

• your ankle is painful and not getting better
• you have several painful, stiff or swollen joints
• your ankle pain is stopping you from doing your regular activities

When to seek urgent care

See your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency department if:

• your ankle is very painful
• you think you might have a fractured ankle
• you have a dislocated ankle
• you or your child has a hot, swollen, red, painful ankle and a fever

How is ankle pain treated?

How your ankle pain is treated will depend on the cause.

With most ankle sprains, it’s best to start walking and stretching as soon as you can manage it. If you have a more complex sprain, your doctor may arrange for you to wear a boot or cast. This helps to hold your ankle still.

More serious ankle injuries or infections need treatment in hospital.

Self-care at home

If your ankle pain is caused by a minor injury, such as a sprain, try first aid with RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation). This can help reduce pain and swelling. Do not use heat packs on the injured area.

• Rest the injured area — if your ankle is hurt, your doctor might tell you to use crutches to stop you from putting weight on your ankle.
• Ice — put a cold compress or ice pack on your ankle for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Never put ice directly on your skin.
• Compression — put a bandage firmly around your ankle to stop any swelling and bruising.
• Elevate — raise your ankle higher than your heart while resting — this helps to reduce swelling.

Medicines for ankle pain

Ask your pharmacist for advice on over-the-counter pain-relief medicines. If you are in a lot of pain, visit your doctor or local hospital for advice.

If ankle pain is caused by an infection, you will need treatment with antibiotics.

Your doctor may prescribe medicines if a long-term condition, such as osteoarthritis, is causing your ankle pain.

Steroid injections may be recommended for some causes of ankle pain, such as arthritis.

Other treatment options

Depending on the cause of your ankle pain, you may be advised to:

• lose weight if you are overweight
• change how you exercise
• change your footwear

A physiotherapist or podiatrist can provide an exercise program and support to help with your:

• balance
• strength
• mobility
• recovery

You might be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon (bone doctor) to discuss treatment in some cases.

What are the complications of ankle pain?

Some possible complications of ankle pain are falls and problems with general self-care (activities of daily living).

If you sprain your ankle and it’s not treated properly, you may have further problems with stability in the joint.

Can ankle pain be prevented?

To help prevent ankle sprains, you can tape or brace the joint.

The best way to prevent ankle and foot injuries is to:

• ensure safety at home, school, and work — think about repairing any uneven surfaces, or adding a handrail if needed
• wear well-fitting shoes with ankle support — avoid shoes that are too loose or too tight, including slippers and thongs
• be careful during sports and physical activities
• get treatment after an injury

Resources and support

It’s important to look after your feet. Read more about foot care or visit a podiatrist.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association has more information on ankle sprains.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Other languages

Visit the Agency for Clinical Innovation site for information on ankle sprain in several different languages.