Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
I Woke Up In The Middle Of The Night With
Question: I woke up in the middle of the night with sharp pain in the back of my ankle, above the heel. It hurts to bend my foot, it is swollen. It hurts to the touch, from the ankle bone around the back, both sides.
I just want an opinion of whether or not I should get an X-ray..seems strange I was fine when I went to bed!
I have , A few months ago, I took an antibiotic which came with a warning about rupturing tendons etc.
Thank you for your time
I just want an opinion of whether or not I should get an X-ray..seems strange I was fine when I went to bed!
I have , A few months ago, I took an antibiotic which came with a warning about rupturing tendons etc.
Thank you for your time
Brief Answer:
Likely to be due to Achilles tendonitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch,
Thanks for using 'Ask A Doctor' service.
The symptoms you describe are most likely due to Achilles tendonitis, or inflammation/irritation of the Achilles tendon. Another possibility would be calcaneal bursitis, which is inflammation of a fluid-filled sac (acting as a cushion) behind the ankle, but with your description of increased pain with bending your foot, I would suspect Achilles tendonitis as more likely.
Usually, this is due to increased activity, and I don't believe your antibiotic use a few months ago would be related.
X-rays are not needed. Your doctor can confirm the diagnosis on examination, and it is typically treated with rest from any activities that aggravate it, applying ice, taking a short course (7-10 days) of NSAID medication like Ibuprofen, and supporting the Achilles with a heel lift or taping (a good video on how to do this can be found at runnersworld.com. After a week or two, physical therapy can be started to strengthen the tendon and keep it flexible.
The only other treatment is a steroid injection, which can give some short-term relief, but usually, these are not necessary.
As far as what you should do now, if it was easy for you to get in to see your doctor, they could confirm this diagnosis and get you started on the treatment I mentioned above. Otherwise, if you just wanted to do the conservative treatments I mentioned above first, see how it goes, and only see your doctor if it is not getting better, there would be no harm in that and that would be reasonable as well.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any questions, I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Likely to be due to Achilles tendonitis
Detailed Answer:
Hello, I'm Dr. Branch,
Thanks for using 'Ask A Doctor' service.
The symptoms you describe are most likely due to Achilles tendonitis, or inflammation/irritation of the Achilles tendon. Another possibility would be calcaneal bursitis, which is inflammation of a fluid-filled sac (acting as a cushion) behind the ankle, but with your description of increased pain with bending your foot, I would suspect Achilles tendonitis as more likely.
Usually, this is due to increased activity, and I don't believe your antibiotic use a few months ago would be related.
X-rays are not needed. Your doctor can confirm the diagnosis on examination, and it is typically treated with rest from any activities that aggravate it, applying ice, taking a short course (7-10 days) of NSAID medication like Ibuprofen, and supporting the Achilles with a heel lift or taping (a good video on how to do this can be found at runnersworld.com. After a week or two, physical therapy can be started to strengthen the tendon and keep it flexible.
The only other treatment is a steroid injection, which can give some short-term relief, but usually, these are not necessary.
As far as what you should do now, if it was easy for you to get in to see your doctor, they could confirm this diagnosis and get you started on the treatment I mentioned above. Otherwise, if you just wanted to do the conservative treatments I mentioned above first, see how it goes, and only see your doctor if it is not getting better, there would be no harm in that and that would be reasonable as well.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any questions, I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you, I will follow your advice for the time being and if it gets worse will call my health care provider.
Brief Answer:
Sounds good
Detailed Answer:
That sounds good, please check back with me if you have any other questions in the next few days. Please let me know if I can help with anything in the future as well. Thank you for your question and take care.
Sounds good
Detailed Answer:
That sounds good, please check back with me if you have any other questions in the next few days. Please let me know if I can help with anything in the future as well. Thank you for your question and take care.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
