Have you ever experienced sudden ankle pain sans injury? Something like waking up in the morning and finding it difficult to walk straight? If so, then this article is for you. If you have been experiencing ankle pain without any injury, you shouldn’t ignore it. You may feel sudden ankle pain without injury due to one or more of the following reasons—rheumatoid arthritis, Achilles tendonitis, flatfoot, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and gout, among others.
Ankle pain can make daily life difficult. However, there is no reason to live with it. This article will explain the probable causes and healing ways to get long-lasting relief from ankle pain.
What Causes Sudden Ankle Pain Without Injury or Swelling
Ankle pain can be discomforting, and having one without an injury or medical history can be perplexing. If you have been experiencing sudden ankle pain without injury, consider the following reasons as the potential cause:
- Repetitive Activities: A sudden increase in physical or repetitive activities can strain the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the ankle and cause pain. For example, running, brisk walking, or playing a sport can stress your ankle and cause pain.
- Tendonitis: Achilles tendonitis, also known as peroneal tendonitis, is caused when the tendons near the ankles get inflamed. It can cause sudden pain without any visible swelling. It is more common among people who play sports like tennis or racquetball.
- Arthritis: The most common cause of ankle pain is arthritis. There are two types of arthritis—osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition where the body mistakenly attacks the joint bones. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage between the joints wears down, and the bones start to bruise each other. Each of these conditions can cause abrupt ankle pain without any external swelling.
- Fractures: Sometimes microscopic fractures may occur due to overuse of the ankle bones. The fracture may not produce any visible swelling but can cause sharp localized pain, making walking or running impossible.
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: A compressed nerve in the ankle can cause sharp pain, numbness, and a tingling sensation. This neurological issue is known as tarsal tunnel syndrome.
- Gout: A buildup of uric acid in the joints can cause sudden intense pain in that area. Gout is also a type of arthritis.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Blood clots in the veins adjacent to the ankle can cause sharp pain without visible swelling.
- Lupus: Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks healthy cells and tissues. Inflammation and fluid buildup, especially in the joints, can cause ankle pain due to lupus.
- Flatfoot: Some people are born with flat feet, which have no curvature in the arch of the feet. Strained arches often cause other foot parts to compensate, leading to ankle pain.
- Wrong shoes: Wearing high heels for a long time can cause sudden ankle pain. Sometimes, even flat shoes with improper support can also contribute to ankle pain. Your shoes can affect your entire posture, misalign your hips and spine, increase pressure on the forefoot, and alter ankle joint positions. You may feel ankle pain while walking if your shoes are not proper.
How to Find Relief from Sudden Ankle Pain?
If you have sudden sharp pain in the ankle but no injury, regenerative therapy is the best way to find relief. Ankle pain without injury often indicates some underlying hidden cause that must be found and treated correctly. At Regenerative Masters, we heal patients by understanding their triggers. In other words, we focus on finding the root cause of the pain and then take practical steps toward treating the pain. Sudden ankle pain without injury can occur due to multiple causes. Thus, it is essential to find the primary cause first and treat it accordingly.
Dr. Ron Hanson founded Regenerative Masters to help people heal their bodies holistically. Our approach recognizes the body as a complete entity rather than just focusing on the affected area. Our nine experts, from diverse areas of expertise, assess and treat our clients with specially designed programs.
We aim to give people a chance to live a quality life without compromise by eliminating chronic pains and offering rejuvenation. Contact us today by sending your details to info@regenerativemasters.com or calling (612) 800-5096.