Best Remedies for Ankle Pain

Ankle pain doesn’t have to stop you from living your best life, getting out and moving, or doing your normal everyday routine. 

We’ve put together a list of the best-known remedies for ankle pain to get you back on your feet! First, let’s discuss what could be causing your pain.

1. Arthritis: Arthritis means joint inflammation, but the term is used to describe around 200 conditions that affect joints, the tissues that surround the joint, and other connective tissue.
   
   
2. Gout: A disease in which defective metabolism of uric acid causes arthritis, especially in the smaller bones of the feet, deposition of chalkstones, and episodes of acute pain.
   
   
3. Nerve Damage (such as sciatica): Anything that results in trauma or compression of nerves can result in nerve pain and nerve damage. Sciatica specifically refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg.
   
   
4. Blocked Blood Vessels: The arteries in your legs and feet can get blocked, just like the arteries in your heart. When this happens, less blood flows to your legs, which can lead to pain in the ankles and feet.
   
   
5. Joint Infection: This type of infection can be caused from any number of factors but will likely cause pain in the joints of the ankles, and possibly redness and swelling.

Best Home Remedies

There are many home remedies you can try to relieve ankle pain but the following are the most successful:

1. Rest: When in doubt, rest! Rest is one of the best things you can do for ankle pain. Staying off of your feet until you know the cause of your pain will save you a lot of headaches later on.
   
2. Ice the Area: To help reduce swelling and pain, you can ice the area for 20 minute intervals. Be sure to wait at least 90 minutes between icing sessions.
   
3. Compression: You may also wrap your ankle with an elastic bandage. Do not wrap the area too tight. You’ll notice numbness, tingling, or discoloration if you do this. Be sure to wrap just snug enough to apply pressure but not cut off circulation.
   
4. Elevate: If you are able to, elevate your ankle above heart level by sitting in a recliner or propping your leg up on pillows.
   
5. Over-the-Counter Medications: You can take NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen to help provide short-term relief for pain and swelling.
   
6. Epsom Salt Soak: You can try soaking your ankle in a warm epsom salt bath. This will also provide short-term relief from pain you may be in. This will help with joint stiffness as well. It’s important to wait a few days before soaking your ankle, for the first couple of days, use the icing method and then you can try the Epsom salt soak.

Foot & Ankle Associates

If you suspect something isn’t quite right, give us a call at Foot & Ankle Associates. While our practice offers the most modern and innovative services available in Mooresville, Huntersville, Denver and Charlotte, NC, our greatest distinction comes from the personal attention we give each patient. We would love to help you get your confidence back with healthier feet! Contact us via our online contact form or give us a call at (704) 971-7100 to schedule a consultation today.