Written & Reviewed by Clinics Asia Healthcare Team | Learn more about our expert review process.
Overview
There are lots of causes of ankle pain. You can usually ease the pain yourself. But see a General Physician (GP) if the pain does not improve.
Causes
Ankle pain is often caused by exercising too much or wearing shoes that are too tight.
Your symptoms might also give you an idea of what's causing your ankle pain.
| Symptoms | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Pain, swelling, bruising, started after intense or repetitive exercise | Sprained ankle |
| Pain in ankle and heel, pain in calf when standing on tiptoes | Achilles tendonitis |
| Redness and swelling, dull aching pain | Bursitis |
| Sudden sharp pain, swelling, a popping or snapping sound during the injury, difficulty walking, ankle at odd angle | Broken ankle |
If you're not sure what's causing your ankle pain:
Do not worry if you're not sure what the problem is. Follow the advice on this page and see a GP if the pain does not get better in 2 weeks.
Treatment Options
How you can ease ankle pain yourself
If you see a GP about ankle pain, they'll usually suggest you try these things:
Do:
- rest and raise your ankle when you can
- put an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on your ankle for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
- wear wide comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole
- use soft insoles or heel pads in your shoes
- wrap a bandage around your ankle to support it
- try regular gentle stretching exercises
- use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen gel (or ibuprofen tablets if needed)
Don’t:
- do not walk or stand for long periods
- do not wear high heels or tight pointy shoes
A pharmacist can help with ankle pain
You can ask a pharmacist about:
- the best painkiller to take
- insoles and pads for your shoes
- if you need to see a GP
When To See A Doctor
See a GP if:
- ankle pain is stopping you doing normal activities
- the pain is getting worse or keeps coming back
- the pain has not improved after treating it at home for 2 weeks
- you have any tingling or loss of sensation in your foot
- you have diabetes and foot pain – foot problems can be more serious if you have diabetes
Get urgent treatment or go to the Emergency Department if:
- you have severe ankle pain
- you feel faint, dizzy or sick from the pain
- your ankle or foot has changed shape or is at an odd angle
- you heard a snap, grinding or popping noise at the time of injury
- you are not able to walk
These might be signs of a broken ankle
Our content undergoes a thorough process of research, writing, peer review, and rigorous checks and approvals. It is designed for educational purposes and is freely accessible for individual patients to read and share. For detailed information regarding usage, copyright, and disclaimers, please visit our Terms & Conditions page.