Ankle Pain

Ankle pain when walking can stem from a variety of causes, especially for athletes and active adults who put continuous strain on their feet and ankles. Common culprits include overuse injuries such as Achilles tendinitis, which inflames the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel, or ligament injuries from an ankle sprain. Arthritis, particularly osteoarthritis, can also lead to pain due to the wear and tear of cartilage in the ankle joint. Improper footwear, poor biomechanics, or running on uneven surfaces can further aggravate these conditions, making ankle pain more noticeable when in motion.

Inside ankle pain, or medial ankle pain, is frequently caused by posterior tibial tendonitis, which occurs when the tendon that supports the arch becomes inflamed or damaged, often from overuse in sports that involve running or jumping. Stress fractures in the tibia or talus bones can also lead to this type of pain, especially in high-impact sports like basketball or soccer. Medial ligament sprains or conditions such as tarsal tunnel syndrome, where a nerve becomes compressed, are additional sources of discomfort in the inner ankle. Athletes may notice increased pain after activities that involve sudden direction changes or heavy load-bearing exercises.

Outside ankle pain, or lateral ankle pain, is most commonly associated with sprains or injuries to the ligaments that stabilize the outer part of the ankle, particularly the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL). Athletes in sports that involve quick lateral movements, such as tennis or basketball, are at higher risk of these injuries. Peroneal tendonitis, which affects the tendons running along the outer ankle, is another frequent cause, often resulting from overuse or improper foot positioning during activities. Additionally, conditions such as sinus tarsi syndrome, where inflammation occurs in the small channel located outside the ankle joint, can also contribute to pain in this area.

Sudden ankle pain without any noticeable injury or swelling can be concerning, especially for active individuals. Often, this type of pain can be traced to underlying conditions like tendonitis, where tendons become irritated from overuse, or nerve entrapment, such as tarsal tunnel syndrome, where the nerves around the ankle are compressed. Another possibility is the onset of arthritis, which may not always present with visible swelling but still cause discomfort. In some cases, small stress fractures or joint inflammation from conditions like gout can manifest as sharp, sudden pain without an obvious external injury.

The best solution for hip pain is finding the root cause and addressing it with targeted exercises. If you can’t come in for an evaluation or you want to get started immediately, we've created a home guide designed for athletes and active adults to help alleviate ankle pain.