Your Ankle Hurts. Now What?

Your Ankle Hurts. Now What?

Your Ankle Hurts.  Now What?

Have you been experiencing sustained and severe ankle pain?  Are you unable to put weight on your ankle without feeling sharp or intense bouts of pain?  Ankle pain has a range of causes, from a sports injury to a slip and fall to an inflamed case of arthritis.  To treat your ankle pain, an orthopedic surgeon in Orange City will ask you questions and perform a physical exam in hopes to pinpoint the cause of your pain.  To prepare yourself for your appointment with a foot and ankle specialist, you will want to consider a few things about your history and your ankle pain.

Your Age

Unfortunately, the older you get, the more prone you are to joint injuries.  Conditions, like arthritis, become more severe as your body ages.  When you are above the age of 50, you will want to contact your doctor anytime you feel any prolonged or acute ankle pain.  They will discuss treatments that can lessen the effects of arthritis-related pain, and they will keep an eye as your joints wear down.  Prolonged ankle pain may make you a candidate for a replacement.

How Long You've Been in Pain

Is this pain chronic?  Has this pain started recently?  It is important to take into account how long you've been experiencing ankle pain, aches, or discomfort.  If you have long-lasting pain, it could be the result of deteriorating joints or worsening arthritis symptoms.  Your orthopedic surgeon in Orange Springs will take these into consideration when making a diagnosis and determining the right treatment.

Your Frequent Activities

Talk to your doctor about activities that you typically engage in, no matter how strenuous or relaxing.  Athletes, runners, laborers, and medical workers will want to find a treatment that alleviates pain quickly so they can get back to working on their feet.   Also, these frequent activities are important considerations when determining the cause of your pain.  If you've suffered from acute, sudden pain, you will want to consider exactly what you were doing at the time of injury.

Medications You Are Taking

Some medications can actually increase your risk of joint and ankle pain and inflammation.  Antibiotics and steroid injections are just two examples.  If your injury or pain is not getting better after you take over-the-counter medications, rest, ice, and compress the area, write down a list of medications you've been taking, and make an appointment with your doctor.

Previous Medical History

Anytime you are dealing with pain and suffering, you should always take into account your previous medical history.  Do you have a family history of bone disease?  Do you have a family history of arthritis?  Ankle and foot specialists will take these factors into account anytime they are treating you, prescribing medications, or determining the right solutions for you.

These are a few of the considerations that will help to pinpoint the cause of your ankle pain.  If you are experiencing sustained or severe ankle pains, contact a local orthopedic surgeon in Orange City to schedule your appointment today.