Managing Chronic Ankle Pain: A Podiatrist’s Approach

Chronic ankle pain can affect your quality of life, making it difficult to support your weight and stay active. A podiatrist can help you manage chronic ankle pain so you can enjoy life again. Dr. Jeffrey Belancio at South Jersey Foot and Ankle Specialists in Vineland, NJ, provides a wide range of foot and ankle services, including treating and managing chronic ankle pain.

What You Need To Know About Chronic Ankle Pain

There are several reasons you might be suffering from chronic ankle pain. Common causes of ankle pain include:

• Joint swelling and inflammation caused by ankle arthritis
• Damaging or tearing a tendon or ligament in your ankle
• Injuring a nerve in your ankle
• Fracturing a bone in your ankle
• Having a previous ankle injury from trauma or practicing a sport
• Pain from scar tissue that has accumulated due to previous ankle sprains

Chronic ankle pain can cause significant problems in your daily life. You may experience:

• Difficulty supporting your weight
• Instability when you try to stand or walk
• Falling frequently, resulting in additional injuries

You should consider seeking out the services of a podiatrist if you notice:

• Frequent, severe pain on the outside of your ankle
• Abnormal movement of your ankle when you try to stand
• Ankle pain when you walk on uneven surfaces
• Swollen, stiff, or painful ankles

A podiatrist can help you manage ankle pain and will begin with thoroughly examining your ankle. You may need imaging studies to determine if structural issues are causing your ankle pain. A podiatrist will provide treatment to reduce or eliminate chronic ankle pain and get you moving again. The podiatrist approach might include:

• Assistive devices like casts or braces to stabilize your ankle and help you walk
• Physical therapy, exercises, and stretching to improve mobility, strength, and flexibility
• Prescription medications, including anti-inflammatories to decrease swelling and ankle pain
• Surgical therapy to repair torn tendons, ligaments, and dislocated or broken bones

Want To Know More About Managing Chronic Ankle Pain?

To learn more about managing chronic ankle pain and how your podiatrist can help, call Dr. Jeffrey Belancio at South Jersey Foot and Ankle Specialists in Vineland, NJ. You can reach him in the office by calling (856) 839-0579, so call today.