If I Have Chronic Lateral Ankle Pain, What Are My Treatment Options?

If I Have Chronic Lateral Ankle Pain, What Are My Treatment Options?

Chronic pain is any pain that lasts longer than three months, and it can occur anywhere in your body. This type of pain can come and go, or it can be constant. Either way, any chronic pain condition can be frustrating and even debilitating, depending on the severity of your pain.

One chronic pain condition that many people experience is lateral ankle pain. Our team of podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Institute of Colorado has years of expertise in treating foot and ankle pain and wants you to know that there are treatment options available to get you relief for your chronic lateral ankle pain.

Causes and symptoms of lateral ankle pain

Pain on the lateral, or outer, portion of your ankle typically stems from repeated ankle sprains. If your ankle isn’t able to heal completely from these sprains, it can result in your muscles and ligaments becoming weaker and weaker, leading to pain in your ankle. 

However, ankle sprains aren’t necessarily always the culprit. Some of the other possible root causes of chronic lateral ankle pain include:

You can also experience chronic lateral ankle pain if the tendons in your ankle are inflamed or your ligaments are pinching your ankle joint in some way.

Symptoms of chronic lateral ankle pain can include the following:

The pain and difficulty walking can also cause you to constantly re-sprain your ankle.

Treatment for lateral ankle pain

If you’re suffering from chronic lateral ankle pain, there are a range of treatment options available. Our team recommends treatment starting with the most conservative method and working up from there.

Conservative, non-surgical options include:

If your pain persists even after trying all these conservative treatments, surgery may be required in order to remove any loose bone fragments, clean out any debris from your joint, or repair any damaged tendons.

If you’ve been struggling with chronic lateral ankle pain, don’t wait to seek medical treatment. Our team is ready to help you get some much-needed relief. 

To set up an appointment with our office located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, you can call us at 719-745-8806, or use our online scheduler today.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Should I Have Morton’s Neuroma Surgery?

Should I Have Morton’s Neuroma Surgery?

Morton’s neuroma is a nerve-related foot condition that requires professional treatment. However, the type of treatment you need depends on the severity of nerve damage. Discover if your Morton’s neuroma needs surgery or something more simple here.
When Does an Ankle Fracture Require Surgery?

When Does an Ankle Fracture Require Surgery?

Ankle fractures can range from mild to severe, and the treatment of them depends on the kind of break you have. While some fractures need surgery, not all do. Discover the types of ankle fractures and how they’re treated here.
When Is Fusion Surgery Appropriate for Foot Pain?

When Is Fusion Surgery Appropriate for Foot Pain?

If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you understand how painful the condition can be and how much it can affect your quality of life. Find out if fusion surgery could be the solution you need for arthritis-related foot pain here. 
5 Signs You Have Hammertoes

5 Signs You Have Hammertoes

Are one or more of your toes bent downward in a hammer shape, but you’re still not sure if you have hammertoes? We discuss telltale signs of this common foot deformity here.