Imagine you are going about your day, walking from one place to another, when you feel unexpected pain in your ankles. You would probably stop in your tracks. Aching ankles can make it difficult to stay active, not to mention performing routine tasks. If you haven’t injured yourself, it may be difficult to determine why you have pain in your ankles while walking.
If your ankle pain is causing you to miss out on your favorite athletic or other activities, it may be time to seek professional help. Thankfully, most common ankle issues do not require surgery to treat. Physical therapy is an effective method for treating many conditions that cause you to feel ankle pain while walking.
What is causing pain in my ankles when I walk?
Pain in your ankles can be a red flag for a condition or injury that you may not have realized you had. Many common ankle issues don’t show themselves until they become painful. Here are four of the most common ankle conditions that may be causing you pain:
- Ankle sprain — Sprains involve structures in your ankle called ligaments. There are several of these stretchy bands of collagen fibers in the ankle, and their job is to support and position the bones of your ankle and foot. A minor sprain typically means the ligaments have been stretched too far, leading to pain while walking. Other symptoms may include tenderness, bruising and stiffness.
- Achilles tendinitis — Another injury that can lead to ankle pain when walking is Achilles tendinitis. This injury affects the Achilles tendon, which connects your calf muscle to your heel. Repetitive movements of the Achilles tendon can cause it to become overstretched or damaged.
- Osteoarthritis — This condition is common in adults who are over the age of 65, even if they are very active. As we age, the cartilage between our joints becomes weak and brittle. This can lead to pain in our joints as we walk and move around.
- Fallen arches — When the tendons in the arches of your feet are damaged, the arches lose support. This results in a condition known as fallen arches. This can place extra strain on the rest of the foot, including the ankles. It can also lead to pain in the calves and lower back if left untreated.
Can physical therapy help treat pain in my ankle while walking?
Whatcom Physical Therapy can help you treat the cause of your ankle pain symptoms. Our team offers free screenings to help pinpoint the root cause of your pain. We then construct personalized therapy plans for every patient we treat. Individualized care and attention to patient needs are what makes Whatcom Physical Therapy your trusted name in rehabilitation.
Our physical therapists can employ a number of trusted methods to treat your foot and ankle condition, including:
Don’t wait to start getting our help with your ankle issue. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
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