Ankle pain can make everyday activities difficult. Walking, standing, exercising or simply putting your foot into a shoe can become uncomfortable when the ankle is painful, stiff or unstable.
There are many possible causes of ankle pain. It may follow an injury such as an ankle sprain, develop gradually through changes in movement or loading, or be associated with weakness, reduced ankle movement or problems elsewhere in the foot and lower limb.
At MK Orthotics in Milton Keynes, we assess the foot, ankle and lower limb as a whole to understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether orthotics, an ankle support or another orthotic solution could be appropriate.
What can cause ankle pain?
Ankle pain can have many different causes.
These can include:
-
Recurrent ankle instability
-
Achilles tendon problems (Achilles Tendinopathy)
-
Tendon injuries around the ankle
-
Joint stiffness or arthritis
-
Foot and ankle alignment problems (Flat Feet)
-
Reduced muscle strength or control
-
Nerve-related problems
-
Previous fractures or surgery
-
Changes in walking or running mechanics
-
Problems with the foot that are affecting the ankle
Sometimes the original injury has healed but the ankle continues to feel weak, painful or unreliable.
Understanding what is happening now can be just as important as knowing how the problem originally started.
Ankle sprains
An ankle sprain occurs when the ankle is twisted, rolled or forced beyond its normal range of movement, overstretching or tearing one or more of the supporting ligaments.
The most common type of ankle sprain affects the ligaments on the outside of the ankle.
An ankle sprain can happen during sport, but it can also occur during everyday activities such as stepping off a kerb, walking on uneven ground or simply placing the foot awkwardly.
Symptoms of an ankle sprain
Common symptoms include:
-
Pain around the ankle
-
Swelling
-
Bruising
-
Tenderness
-
Difficulty walking
-
Difficulty putting weight through the foot
-
Reduced ankle movement
-
Weakness
-
A feeling that the ankle is unstable
More significant injuries may require medical assessment to determine whether there is a fracture or other significant damage.
Why does my ankle keep giving way?
Some people continue to experience problems long after an ankle sprain.
You may notice that your ankle:
-
Gives way unexpectedly
-
Feels unstable on uneven ground
-
Feels weak during exercise
-
Is difficult to trust when changing direction
-
Becomes painful after prolonged walking or standing
-
Has been sprained several times
Repeated ankle sprains can sometimes develop into ongoing ankle instability.
This does not necessarily mean that you need an orthotic. Strength, balance, proprioception, ankle movement and rehabilitation can all be important.
However, if your symptoms continue despite appropriate rehabilitation, it can be useful to assess how the foot and lower limb are functioning.
Can the way I walk affect my ankle?
The foot and ankle work together every time you stand and move.
The way your foot contacts the ground and moves through the walking cycle can influence how forces are transferred through the ankle and lower limb.
During an assessment, we may consider:
-
Foot posture
-
Ankle range of movement
-
Foot and ankle strength
-
Lower-limb alignment
-
Balance and proprioception
-
Walking mechanics
-
Running mechanics
-
Previous injuries
-
Footwear
-
Your normal activities
There is not one particular foot shape that automatically causes ankle pain.
The aim is to understand your individual movement pattern and whether it may be relevant to your symptoms.
Can orthotics help ankle pain?
Sometimes.
An orthotic is not automatically required simply because you have ankle pain or have previously sprained your ankle.
Where appropriate, an orthotic may be designed to influence how the foot interacts with the ground and how forces are distributed through the foot and lower limb.
The design needs to be based on your individual foot shape, movement, symptoms and footwear.
For some people, an ankle brace or other form of support may be more appropriate than a foot orthotic.
For others, rehabilitation or treatment of an underlying movement restriction may be more important.
The important thing is to assess the problem before deciding what type of support, if any, is appropriate.
Ankle braces and supports
An ankle brace may be useful for some people who need additional support or stability.
The most appropriate type of support depends on factors such as:
-
The original injury
-
Current ankle stability
-
How much movement you need
-
Your activity levels
-
Your footwear
-
Whether you are returning to sport
-
Previous injuries
-
Any associated weakness
At MK Orthotics, we can assess whether an ankle support may be appropriate and consider how it needs to work with your footwear and normal activities.
When might an AFO be appropriate?
An Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) is different from a simple ankle support.
AFOs are prescribed for a range of conditions where additional control, stability or assistance with foot and ankle movement is required.
They may be considered for problems such as:
-
Foot drop
-
Dorsiflexion weakness
-
Peroneal nerve problems
-
Neurological conditions
-
Significant ankle instability
-
Weakness affecting walking
-
Problems controlling the position of the foot during gait
The type of AFO required depends on the individual.
For some people, a conventional AFO may be appropriate. In other cases, an external AFO such as the TurboMed XTERN may be worth considering.
What happens during an ankle assessment?
Your initial MK Orthotics appointment lasts approximately 90 minutes and includes video gait analysis where appropriate.
Depending on your symptoms, your assessment may include:
-
Discussion of your symptoms and medical history
-
Previous ankle injuries
-
Your normal activities and exercise
-
Footwear assessment
-
Foot posture
-
Ankle and foot movement
-
Muscle strength and function
-
Lower-limb alignment
-
Balance and functional movement
-
Walking mechanics
-
Running mechanics where relevant
-
Video gait analysis
-
Assessment of existing orthotics or ankle supports
The assessment is tailored to you.
We do not prescribe an orthotic simply because you have a particular diagnosis.
What if I have already tried orthotics?
If you have previously used insoles, orthotics or an ankle support and they have not helped, bring them with you.
Looking at what you have previously used can provide useful information about:
-
What the device was designed to do
-
How it was fitted
-
Whether it was comfortable
-
What footwear you used
-
Whether it changed your symptoms
-
Whether there may be another factor contributing to your problem
A previous orthotic that did not work does not necessarily mean that orthotics can never be useful. It is important to understand what was previously tried before deciding what to do next.
When should ankle pain be assessed?
Consider having your ankle assessed if:
-
Your pain is persistent or worsening
-
Your ankle repeatedly gives way
-
You have had several ankle sprains
-
You are struggling to return to normal activities
-
You cannot return to your usual sport
-
Your walking pattern has changed
-
You have ongoing swelling or stiffness
-
You have persistent weakness or instability
-
You have tried an ankle support or orthotics without success
If you have severe pain, cannot walk, the ankle looks deformed, or you heard a significant snap or popping sound when the injury occurred, seek appropriate medical assessment
.
Ankle pain and orthotics in Milton Keynes
At MK Orthotics, we look beyond the painful area and assess how your feet and lower limbs are functioning as a whole.
The aim is to understand what may be contributing to your ankle problem and whether an orthotic, ankle support, AFO or another approach may be appropriate.
Our clinic is based in Blakelands, Milton Keynes.
Related pages
You may also find these pages useful:
Book an ankle assessment
If ankle pain, weakness or instability is affecting your walking, exercise or everyday activities, a detailed assessment can help identify the factors that may be contributing.
Initial assessment with video gait analysis — approximately 90 minutes.
MK Orthotics, Blakelands, Milton Keynes.