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Ankle Pain Relief Without Surgery

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Published: 29Oct2009
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Do your ankles hurt anytime you walk? Are they worse first step in the morning? Maybe you have a history of ankle sprains or even broken ankles. Have you been told you have ankle arthritis? Have you been told you need surgery or might even need your ankles fused? This condition is not that abnormal. In fact, many people are often not given many options for pain in the ankles all the time (chronic ankle pain). Let me show you some options that may help.

Orthotics --> Although custom shoe inserts, or orthotics are not treating the ankle, they can often alleviate the retrograde pressure that causes your ankle pain. The goal is to modify your walking to a more neutral pattern and allow the foot and ankle (and leg for that matter) to function more appropriately. Often this resolves the pain.

Ankle Foot Orthosis (Custom Ankle Brace) --> If an orthotic is not sufficient to alleviate you ankle pain, or you truly have bony problems in the ankle including arthritis, an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) will often allow you to return to full activities without pain. This AFO is a brace designed specifically for your ankle and be formed to eliminate the pain that is causing your discomfort. In fact, the pain is usually completely resolved while the brace is being utilized. Although this doesn't fix the problem, it truly can eliminate the symptoms and allow normal functioning.

Cortisone Injections --> Sometimes ankle pain can be alleviated, at least temporarily, by ankle injections. The goal is to alleviate the inflammation that causes the pain and improve the symptoms to allow return to regular activity. This should only be done, however, a limited number of times and should be spaced out to limit the side effects of steroids in the joint.

Of these options, what is right for you? Each ankle is different and the causes of the pain should be understood prior to determining what needs to be done. Sometimes the best solution may be surgery, but often the pain can be alleviated or improved significantly with any one of these treatments or a combination. Here is our suggestions for determining what is best for you:

1. Get a true diagnosis, including demonstration of what is causing your pain either on x-ray, CT or MRI. A simple diagnosis of "arthritis" without an explanation of how the doctor knows that is insufficient.

2. Get treatments (not just one treatment)recommended by a specialist in the foot and ankle and ask for the pros and cons of each treatment. For example, the orthotic or AFO may require a change in shoegear.

3. Understand that any treatment only works if you are consistent. If you never wear an orthotic or AFO, they can't improve your ankle pain.

4. Participate in all activities that you desire. The treatment should allow you to return to these activities and continue to enjoy life.

Life is too short to let pain keep you from participation. Pain is never normal and should never stop you from being a part of life. Often the pain associated with the ankle can be helped

Brandt R. Gibson, DPM, MS is a podiatrist in American Fork, Utah that specializes in foot and ankle pain. For further educational materials and recommended medical products, visit http://www.UtahFootDoc.com/Educate.htm . A free book can also be ordered at http://www.MyFeetHurtBook.com

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