Foot pain, no matter when it occurs during the day, can be uncomfortable and unpleasant. While it is common for individuals suffering from conditions like plantar fasciitis to experience foot pain at the very beginning of the day, others experience foot pain at night. For example, it is possible to experience ankle pain during the night, and can happen for several reasons. First, tarsal tunnel syndrome can create pain that's worse at night. When nerves in your ankle become compressed and pinched, tarsal tunnel syndrome can develop. Individuals can experience pain not just in the ankles but also numbness and discomfort on the soles of the feet. Since the pressure on these nerves is most potent at night, the pain is typically more acute at this time. If you experience ankle pain at night, it may be caused by nighttime foot cramps. Comparable to the nocturnal leg cramps that usually affect the calves, foot cramps work similarly and can cause shooting pains in the feet. Sometimes, foot cramps can create pain that travels up to the ankle. If you have pain in your ankle that is more noticeable at night, contact a podiatrist to help address the problem.
Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Florida Ankle & Foot Institute. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.
Causes
The most common causes of ankle pain include:
- Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
- Ankle sprains
- Broken ankles
- Achilles tendinitis
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Stress fractures
- Bursitis
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Plantar fasciitis
Symptoms
Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.
Diagnosis
Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.
Treatment
Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Tavernier, Marathon, and Key West, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
