The ankle is a very complex joint and receives tremendous pressure as you walk. It is actually composed of three bones, the tibia, fibula and talus. There are many muscles and ligaments that are involved in motion of this joint. Ankle pain can be one of the most debilitating and long lasting pains a person can experience.
Symptoms
There are a number of different ways this pain will present, depending on the exact cause. The pain can be on either the inside or the outside of the ankle. It can be a sudden sharp pain, although it usually is a constant dull ache, related to activity. The pain will generally increase in severity over time.
Cause
This condition may appear suddenly, due to an injury, or present gradually over time. If the foot moves improperly there will be incorrect motion at the ankle joint and resultant pain of the ligaments and tendons surrounding the ankle. Having your foot and ankle move properly will alleviate the stresses placed on your ankle. HealthMedica Custom Orthotics will provide tremendous relief of ankle pain.
Ideal Walking
As we walk (gait) our feet ideally move in different directions, supination and pronation. Our arches rise up and lock into place (supination), when we are preparing to step off a firm platform, our foot. When we land our arches unlock and start to lower (pronation), allowing us to absorb shock. Ideally our foot should go through both these motions in normal walking. Unfortunately not everyone is built perfectly and often our arches unlock excessively or fail to lock properly. This is sometimes referred to as a “flat foot” or “fallen arches” or “collapsed arches.” This flexible or pronated foot results in the foot stretching the tendon and ligaments on the inside of the ankle and impingement (pinching) of the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. There will also be abnormal motion inside of the joint, resulting in “wear and tear” of the cartilage.
See other Pages in this section
Understanding Foot Pain
| Heel & Arch Pain | Painful Calluses |
| Diabetic Foot Problems | Ankle Pain |
| Knee & Low Back Pain | Bunions & Hammertoes |
| Test Your Need For Orthotics |
Anatomy & Mechanics
The Gaitscan System
Foot clinic – Guarantee
Foot Clinic FAQ