Is pain in the back of the ankle above the heel normal?

Occasional soreness and tightness in the ankles can occur after physical activity, but ongoing and intense ankle pain are the signs of something more serious. Pain in the back of your ankle above the heel might not be normal if the pain is persistent and accompanied by other symptoms like swelling, sensitivity, grinding and clicking.

Take a look at the following conditions to become familiar with what might be causing pain in the back of your ankle above the heel, and find out what you can do to treat this pain. 

Three conditions that commonly cause pain in the back of the ankle above the heel

1. Achilles tendinitis — The Achilles tendon is the large tendon in the back of your heel that runs from the heel bone to your calf muscles. Overloading the ankle joint can put a high amount of pressure on this tendon, which leads to a painful inflammation of the tendon known as Achilles tendinitis.
2. Bursitis — The bursae are fluid sacs located between the tendons and muscles and the bones of your joints. Overexertion of the joint in physical activity can cause the bursae to become inflamed, which is a condition known as bursitis. Bursitis can occur in the back of the heel above your ankle since there are bursae located in that area.
3. Arthritis — Long-lasting pain, stiffness and a grinding sensation in the back of the ankle above the heel are likely connected to arthritis. With this condition, the cartilage in your ankle joint has been worn down, resulting in the bones of your ankle rubbing against one another with no cushioning. 

Treatment for pain in the back of the ankle above the heel

Treatments for ankle pain vary depending on the cause and severity of your condition. With each of the three conditions outlined here, physical therapy is almost always a viable treatment option. 

Physical therapists can use a variety of techniques to help reduce your ankle pain, improve your range of motion and prevent future pain. If you visit a physical therapist at Advent Physical Therapy, we’ll customize your treatment to your personal needs using methods like:

• Therapeutic exercise
• Stretches
• Joint mobilization
• Soft tissue mobilization
• Posture guidance and more

Advent Physical Therapy can help with pain in the back of your ankle above the heel

Are you tired of pain in the back of your ankle above the heel keeping you off your feet? Our physical therapists at Advent Physical Therapy are ready to assist you in your recovery. Contact our team today for more information about treating pain in the back of your ankle above the heel or to schedule an initial appointment.