What is causing your ankle pain after walking?

Foot and ankle pain after walking can be a frustrating experience. If you are someone who spends a lot of time on their feet, being able to walk without ankle pain is important. You do not have to be a seasoned athlete to have persistent ankle pain seriously impact your life. This kind of pain can make it difficult to complete daily activities, especially if your job requires you to move around. When it comes to addressing ankle pain after walking, the first step is identifying the cause. A physical therapist can play an essential role in identifying your condition and helping facilitate treatment. Though the conditions all affect the same region, different ankle pain causes may need different treatment strategies. This makes an accurate diagnosis of your condition essential for successful treatment and lasting relief.

Top causes of ankle pain after walking

• Ankle sprain — Spraining your ankle typically causes immediate acute pain in the injured region. While a minor ankle sprain may be able to heal on its own, a more severe injury should be treated to help ensure a proper recovery. Walking after spraining your ankle can cause persistent pain. An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments supporting the ankle are stretched or torn. In order for these ligaments to fully heal, allowing time for your ankle to rest is vital. Your physical therapist can guide you through at-home treatment strategies and provide clinical care to promote faster healing.

• Achilles tendinitis — Tendinitis is the medical term for tendon inflammation. Your tendons are the dense cords of tissue that function to connect your bones and muscles. When these cords become inflamed, they can cause nagging pain in localized areas. Achilles tendinitis refers to tendinitis in the Achilles tendon. This tendon runs from your calf all the way down to your heel bone. Inflammation in this tendon can cause ankle pain during and after walking and running. Tendinitis is often caused by overuse, meaning it is important to reduce your activity levels with this condition. A physical therapist can help alleviate your pain by reducing swelling and inflammation in your tendons.

• Stress fractures — Stress fractures are small bone cracks. These are typically not as serious as complete bone breaks. However, stress fractures can still cause persistent ankle pain after walking. Stress fractures are most often caused by repeated stress on the feet and ankles. High-impact activities like sports can be a central factor in the development of these fractures. Rest and immobilization are essential for treating stress fractures. Your physical therapist can guide you through management solutions and recommend assistive devices if necessary.

• Plantar fasciitis — The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue along the bottom of the foot. When this tissue is affected by microtears and inflammation, it can result in a condition called plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis pain is primarily localized around the bottom of the foot. However, the condition can also cause referred pain in the ankle and lower leg. If you feel foot and ankle pain after walking, you may have plantar fasciitis. Targeted exercises and other anti-inflammatory techniques are key to effective physical therapy treatment for plantar fasciitis.

• Neuropathy — Peripheral neuropathy refers to nerve damage outside of the central nervous system. When you experience nerve damage or nerve compression around the ankle, it can cause nerve pain in the ankle after walking. The ankle pain may be accompanied by numbness and a tingling sensation. Nerve pain can come with a variety of sensations such as a sharp, piercing feeling or a burning sensation. Neuropathy tends to have an underlying cause, and physical therapy can work to help address this underlying cause. For example, your physical therapist may be able to alleviate tissue swelling that resulted in nerve compression. This kind of holistic treatment can lead to long-term pain relief.

• Bursitis — Bursitis is the inflammation of small fluid-filled sacs called bursae. These sacs function to cushion joints in many different parts of the body. When a joint is overused or experiences too much stress, it can irritate the bursae. Ankle bursitis occurs when the ankle bursae become inflamed through overuse or injury. Movement can exacerbate your inflammation, leading to ankle pain after walking. Your physical therapist can help address this condition with a range of specialized techniques. Focused ankle exercises and manual therapy techniques can be instrumental in treating your bursitis.

Advent Physical Therapy can help alleviate your ankle pain after walking

Need help addressing your ankle pain after walking? Advent Physical Therapy can offer expert guidance and personalized treatment. Our dedicated team is ready to develop a tailored strategy designed to address your needs and improve your overall ankle health.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.