Symptoms and common causes:
Tibialis Posterior tendinopathy
Pain on the inside of the ankle and foot. The tendon of the tibialis posterior muscle becomes stressed and irritated, causing pain, stiffness and discomfort while walking and standing. This is especially so on the first step in the morning, and with extended walking, running and jumping.
Peroneal tendinopathy
Pain on the outside of the ankle and foot. The tendon of the peroneal muscle becomes stressed and irritated, causing pain, stiffness and discomfort while walking and standing. This is especially so on the first step in the morning, and with extended walking, running and jumping.
Achilles tendinopathy
Pain at the back of the ankle and heel.The Achilles tendon becomes stressed and irritated, causing pain, stiffness and discomfort while walking and standing. This is especially so on the first step in the morning, and with extended walking, running and jumping. Achilles tendinopathy is one of the most common causes of ankle and heel pain.
Ankle sprains
A sprain to the ankle causes injury to the ligaments around the ankle. Such injuries can cause pain and swelling. Patients can also feel weakness and instability in the ankle.
Cartilage damage
In a more serious ankle sprain, the cartilage of the ankle joint can be injured and damaged. This may cause pain, swelling and stiffness in the ankle with difficulty walking and mobilising. If the fragment has come loose, it can also cause locking or instability symptoms.
Fractures
There are different types of ankle pain and each should be treated differently. While some ankle fractures can be treated like sprains, others may require surgery.
Gout
Gout can cause acute pain and soreness in the ankle, making it difficult to move and walk on. This is usually accompanied by swelling and warmth. It is a relatively uncommon cause of ankle pain.
Arthritis
Arthritis is not a common cause of ankle pain but can occasionally cause issues, especially with individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, or cartilage damage from an ankle injury.
