Don’t Minimize Ankle Pain

Nothing slows down an active person like ankle pain. Nothing can curtail a training regimen like an ankle pain. Swelling, tenderness and pain often will not go away without treatment by a licensed professional. "People underestimate ankle injuries all the time," says Dr. Foley. "I hear, oh, I just twisted it, or I rolled it, I can tape it up and go. The first thing people should do is shut it down and get a proper diagnosis."Recurring or persistent (chronic) pain on the outer (lateral) side of the ankle often develops when there is incomplete healing after an ankle sprain. When you sprain your ankle, the connecting tissue (ligament) between the bones is stretched or torn. Without thorough and complete rehabilitation, the ligament or surrounding muscles may remain weak, resulting in recurrent instability. "I can’t tell you how many times patients re-injure themselves after rushing back to their activity," Dr. Foley adds. "Serious ankle injuries requiring a comprehensive rehabilitation program can take weeks to heal," says Dr. Foley. "Most patients get antsy and want to resume their activity before the ankle is strong enough. Unless you’re playing for the Lakers or Dodgers, there’s no rush."