Painful ankles without an apparent cause or underlying injury seem strange but are not unusual. In most cases, wear and tear around your ankle result in several conditions. Often, you may experience pain when the condition has progressed to some stage. Discover three non-injury-related reasons that cause ankle pain.

1. Fallen Arch

Also known as flat foot, a fallen arch is a condition where the curve of your foot's inner sole flattens. A flatfoot happens when the arches of your feet lose support and could either be flexible or rigid. A flexible arch occurs when the curve becomes flat only when you have stood. On the flip side, a rigid arch is when you do not have the curve when you stand or lift your feet off the ground.

When you are born, your feet are flat, but the curve develops at 7 to 10 years old. Nonetheless, if the arch remains fallen at a later age and develops pain, you will need medical intervention. In some cases, failure to establish the arc is genetic. Also, recreational activities, exercises you perform, and the shoes you wear can spur the pain.

Fallen arch pain always starts from the outer part of your feet. The pain then extends towards your ankle and the outer section of your lower feet. Treatment depends on the arch type, but the most common forms are therapy, serial casting, and therapeutic shoes for children. Surgery is also avail;able as a corrective measure, but only in extreme cases or if your feet are resistant to other treatments.

2. Osteoarthritis (OA)

The most frequent arthritis type is osteoarthritis, which affects more than 32.5 million US adults. Osteoarthritis is a long-term effect after the cushion between two bones at your ankles wears out. As a result, your ankle bones rub against each other and cause pain, stiffness, and tenderness. Sometimes, the pain is sudden and worsens when you wake up.

In extreme cases, OA reduces your ability to perform day-to-day tasks. Yet, you can manage the pain and inconveniences with early diagnosis and treatment. Since OA has no cure, doctors treat the symptoms with various drugs and therapy. Treatment options include painkillers, physical therapy, supportive devices, and surgery.

OA predisposes you to joint injuries, so you should take good care of your ankles. For example, if you lose or manage weight, you place less strain on your ankle joints. Do not be afraid of physical activities. Moderate and low-impact exercises improve your ability to move around safely.

3. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

RA happens when your body's immune system confuses healthy tissues as invaders. The confusion causes your immune system to attack healthy tissues such as ankle joints. Often, RA pain starts in your toes before the discomfort proceeds to your ankle. You could also feel stiffness, weakness, swelling, and instability along with the pain.

RA pain can happen in different body parts, but most victims experience pain in the feet or ankles. The symptoms often worsen when you wake up or stay inactive for long. Extreme cases lead to disability, but early treatment reduces complications. Treatment also controls your immune system to prevent further damage to joints.

Your doctor can recommend drugs, therapy, or surgery to manage symptoms. If you have moderate or severe RA, the recommended treatment is disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. You could also combine the medication with other therapies, but only your doctor can guide you on the best treatment plan. Finally, most medicines work best during the early stages, so you should not ignore ankle pain.

Ankle pain may feel random, especially if you have not been diagnosed with underlying health conditions. Nonetheless, the only way to find the root cause is to have a medical examination. If you experience ankle pain or any foot-related problem, don't hesitate to contact Huntsville Podiatry Centre PC. You will receive excellent treatment and care from experienced practitioners.