Treating Your Ankle Pain

When should you see a podiatrist about ankle pain? 

Ankle pain is certainly something you don’t want to ignore, especially if it’s appeared suddenly. There are many injuries and problems that can result in ankle pain and it’s important to know when to seek medical attention from our Salem, OR, foot doctors Dr. James Lisle, Dr. Trevor Tippets and Dr. Bryce Rich. Dealing with mild ankle pain? You may be able to treat it at home following these simple rules,

  • Ice your ankle for up to 20 minutes at a time, 2-3 times a day
  • Elevate your ankle above your heart to reduce swelling
  • Wear compression bandages or compression stockings to help with blood flow
  • Rest as much as possible and avoid putting too much weight on the affected ankle
  • Take over-the-counter pain relievers that target both pain and swelling


While the RICE method is great for tackling more minor bouts of ankle pain due to sprains and overuse, this method alone won’t be right for people dealing with more serious injuries or conditions. It’s important that you see our Salem, OR, foot doctor right away if,

  • Your ankle pain came on suddenly
  • Your ankle pain is due to an injury
  • Pain or swelling is severe
  • You can’t put weight on your ankle (you have trouble walking or standing)
  • There is a visible deformity of the ankle (could be a sign of a broken bone)
  • There is numbness or tingling present in the affected foot
  • You develop a fever along with ankle pain
  • The skin around the ankle is red and tender to the touch (could be a sign of infection)


It’s also a good idea to give your podiatrist a call to schedule an evaluation if,

  • At-home care isn’t providing you with relief after 4-5 days
  • Your symptoms are getting worse
  • You notice new symptoms


What can cause ankle pain? 

There are so many reasons why someone may deal with ankle pain. The most common causes are strains and sprains; however, other causes of ankle pain include,

  • Ankle fracture
  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Bursitis
  • Chronic lateral ankle pain
  • An infection
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Gout
  • Other forms of arthritis
  • Flat feet
  • Ruptured tendon


It’s important that you see a doctor if you’ve never dealt with ankle pain before, your pain has lasted more than a week or if you are experiencing any of the symptoms above. Since many ankle injuries can lead to long-term pain and instability it’s important that you get the proper treatment you need to help your ankle heal properly and to prevent complications.


Cascade Foot Center in Salem, OR, provides top-notch foot doctors who are ready to help you get your ankle pain under control. Protect the health of your feet by calling us today at (503) 588-8188. We can get you on the road to recovery.

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