Ankle Pain Specialist
Coastal Maine Foot and Ankle
Podiatry, Foot & Ankle Surgeon and Wound Care Specialist located in Yarmouth, ME
Any of the bones, ligaments, and tendons within and around your ankle can cause ankle pain, one of the most common reasons that people visit podiatrists today. At Coastal Maine Foot and Ankle, caring podiatrist Barry White, DPM, has a long history of experience in treating ankle pain using both conservative approaches and advanced surgical care. Call the Yarmouth, Maine, office or arrange your visit online.
Ankle Pain Q&A
What causes ankle pain?
The most common causes of ankle pain include:
- Ankle sprains
- Fractures
- Arthritis
- Achilles tendinitis
- Achilles tendon ruptures
Sometimes, ankle pain can stem from problems in your foot or leg. For example, plantar fasciitis affects the ligament on the underside of your foot. But, untreated plantar fasciitis can be so painful that it makes you alter your walking patterns. This can lead to ankle pain and instability.
What are the symptoms of ankle pain?
Ankle pain can vary, from a dull ache to a very sharp pain whenever you try to walk. Although the specific issues vary based on the tissues or bones affected, ankle pain often happens simultaneously with bruising, swelling, and stiffness.
When should I seek treatment for ankle pain?
If your ankle pain lasts for more than a couple of days, or if it doesn’t improve significantly with rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medication, call Coastal Maine Foot and Ankle to make an appointment with Dr. White.
As an esteemed foot and ankle expert with nearly 20 years of experience, he can identify any cause of ankle pain and then help you feel better very quickly.
Unfortunately, damage within your ankle has a high chance of worsening if you don’t get treatment early. For example, Achilles tendinitis — a condition that’s easily treated with conservative care — could become a much more serious Achilles tendon rupture if you don’t seek treatment.
How is ankle pain diagnosed?
Ankle pain diagnosis starts with a comprehensive examination of your foot and ankle. Dr. White reviews all your symptoms and asks some questions about how the ankle pain started, how often it occurs, and how painful it is on a scale of 1-10.
He may gently rotate and manipulate your ankle joint, and he may ask you to bear weight on the foot, walk, or make certain movements with your ankle.
You may need X-rays to check for problems in and around your bones, or other kinds of imaging like ultrasound to check for issues within your soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, and muscles).
What does ankle pain treatment involve?
Ankle pain treatment can vary with the specific injury and degree of tissue and bone damage.
You may need anti-inflammatory medication, an ankle brace or walking boot, physical therapy, and a period of rest. Thanks to your body’s internal regenerative powers and Dr. White’s treatment expertise, most cases of ankle pain improve with non-surgical care.
For severe ankle damage, you may need a surgical repair. Dr. White is board-certified in ankle and rearfoot surgery and has many years of experience with ankle procedures of all types, so you can depend on him for excellent results.
For ankle pain help from the best local ankle specialists, call Coastal Maine Foot and Ankle or click on the online appointment scheduler.