Ankle Pain Specialist

Orthopedic Center for Sports Medicine Our Services Ankle Pain

Orthopedic Center for Sports Medicine

Sports Medicine Physicians & Pulmonologist located in Metairie, LA

It’s easy to lose track of where you’re walking and suddenly twist or roll your ankle. Movements like these can cause ankle sprains, a leading cause of ankle pain. At Orthopedic Center for Sports Medicine in Metairie, Louisiana, Luis Espinoza, MD, and their team treat all types of ankle pain with effective strategies like physical therapy and ankle bracing. To find the cause of your ankle pain and treat it so you can walk comfortably again, call Orthopedic Center for Sports Medicine or schedule a consultation online today.

Ankle Pain Q&A

What causes ankle pain?

You rely on your ankles to walk, run, jump, and climb stairs. Even if your ankle pain starts out mild, it can worsen very quickly as your ankle supports the weight of your body. Ankle pain can come from several different conditions and injuries, but the most common cause is an ankle sprain. Around 85% of all ankle injuries are sprains. 

Sprains happen when the ligaments in your ankle are torn or stretched beyond their capacity. It's easy to sprain your ankle by accidentally rolling your foot as you walk, instead of stepping down onto the base of your foot. This action can also cause cartilage or tendon damage leading to ankle pain. 

If your ankle pain doesn’t come from a cartilage, ligament, or tendon injury, it might come from an underlying condition like arthritis, gout, nerve damage, or an infection in the joint.

When should I book an appointment for ankle pain?

Before you book an appointment at the Orthopedic Center for Sports Medicine, you can attempt to treat your ankle pain with home care. For home care, you should follow the RICE method: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. You can also safely take over-the-counter medications to ease inflammation and pain and gently exercise your ankle if it’s still mobile.

If home care doesn’t effectively treat your pain, you should schedule an appointment at Orthopedic Center for Sports Medicine. You should also book an appointment for the pain if:

  • Your ankle is extremely swollen
  • You see bruising around your ankle
  • You can’t stand on your ankle or put pressure on it
  • There is no improvement in the pain in the first few days

When you arrive for your appointment, the team performs a quick physical exam and may ask you to complete some movements to test your ankle’s mobility. If the physical exam isn’t conclusive, they might use an imaging procedure like an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to view the inner structures of the joint. 

How is ankle pain treated?

Your ankle pain treatment plan depends on the type of injury or condition that is causing the pain. The team at Orthopedic Center for Sports Medicine creates a treatment plan for you to help ease your pain and allow you to walk comfortably again. Treatments typically include multiple strategies for the best chance at success, including:

  • Orthotic shoe inserts
  • Ankle braces
  • Corticosteroid injections
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
  • Physical therapy
  • Arthroscopic surgery

The team tells you how to care for your injury at home while you undergo treatment. Between your appointments, they might encourage you to gently exercise your ankle with specific movements to help preserve its mobility. 

For expert diagnostic services and treatments for ankle pain, call Orthopedic Center for Sports Medicine or book your appointment online today.