OSNA's Expert Q & A - Ankle Pain

Q: How common is ankle pain?
A: Ankle pain is quite common, and often is a result of previous injury.  As the general population becomes more active, the prevalence of ankle pain will increase.

Q: How do I distinguish between occasional ankle pain and ongoing pain that warrants medical attention?
A: Ankle pain that lasts beyond a few weeks or pain that affects your daily activities should be evaluated by your physician.

Q: What are the main causes of ankle pain?
A: The main causes of ankle pain are traumatic injuries, arthritis, and tendinitis.

Q: What are the main treatments for ankle pain?
A: Treatment is based on a good patient history and physical exam coupled with imaging studies as needed.  With the exception of traumatic injuries, most conditions are treated with non-operative methods first. Often this consists of changes in shoe wear, orthotics (shoe inserts), immobilization in a boot or cast, bracing, physical therapy, medications, or injections.  Operative treatment should only be considered if non-operative treatment fails.

Q: How do I know if I will need surgery?
A: Decision for surgery should be made jointly by the patient and orthopedic surgeon.  Risks and benefits to surgery should be discussed with your orthopedic surgeon.

Q: What are the benefits of seeing a foot and ankle specialist?
A: Orthopedic surgeons specializing in foot and ankle receive additional training in foot and ankle specifically.  The vast majority of their practice is related to the foot and ankle.  This means that, compared to the general orthopedic surgeon, they perform not only more foot and ankle cases, but also more complex foot and ankle cases.

Q: What is your advice for patients with ankle pain?
A: Your orthopedic specialist can perform an evaluation to determine your treatment options.