Is Sudden Onset Of Ankle Pain A Concern?

Posted on Fri, 31 Mar 2017

Question: This is a pretty silly question...

Is it normal for ones ankle to hurt a little but out of blue? I suppose i shouldnt say out of the blue completely, considering that im a 250 male and ive just started going back to the gym, which included running the previous two days. I can feel the ache on the right side of my ankle; pretty much localized.

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
tendinitis / bursitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting the question.
I have gone through your medical history in detail.

From the symptoms,it seems that you may have an underlying bursa inflammation or an inflammation of a tendon on the right side of the ankle ( tendinitis).

If you have not gone to the gym for a long time before and started going back again recently,then the stiffened soft tissues around the ankle tend to get inflammed.The chances of inflammation are even more if you have ran for 2 days preceding the onset of pain.

I suggest you to do the exercises in the gym gradually under proper trainer guidance. You should not start with strenous exercises and running immediately.
Initially start with low grade simple stretching exercises and then gradually increase the amount of exercises as tolerated.

Take anti-inflammatory tablets with a compression bandage and local gel with hot fomentation.

If the pain still persists,then get an Xray / Mri of the ankle done and consult a orthopedist.

I hope the answer was useful.

Feel free to ask me any follow up queries that you may have.

Thank you.
Kind regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Mahaveer Patil (9 minutes later)

Will do doctor! Thank you. I attached an image of bith ankles side by side, just for conparison. You bring s doctor, im sure you know, but the bulge on the right foot is the bone itself and not exactly where the pain is. I attached another image pointing where, even though im sure these images are overkill. I suppose im attaching these out of fear that i might have disbetes, even though my last blood sugar test was completely normal .

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
seems more of a tendinitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting the photographs.
It seems more of a tendinitis than bursitis.

I hope the footwear / shoes that you wear during running and gym are fitting properly.Improperly fitting shoes (tight or loose) also can cause tendinitis.

Blood sugar levels won't affect the pain much.

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Mahaveer Patil (3 hours later)

Understood. I was fitted for the shoes when i purchased them a while back. The odd thing about this pain is that it came on early in the afternoon; the days i ran up until this morning were fine. It was literally when i was walking to work around 4:15pm when the pain came on .

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
follow the above treatment

Detailed Answer:
I am sure you will get relief with the treatment i have suggested.

Do let me know the results after 5 days.

Depending upon the results,we can decide further line of treatment.

I will be happy to help you if you have any other doubts about this question.

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Mahaveer Patil (12 hours later)

Will do doctor. Ill definitely take it easy at the gym and all. If i may ask one more, i couldnt help but look at the image i took of both feet and notice that the right ankle atleast appeared quite swollen, but i csnt tell if its just the angle or something. It doesnt appear too serious or like there might be an underlying condition?

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Other conditions less likely

Detailed Answer:
I have seen the attached images and yes,there is swelling for sure.

There are many other causes that may cause similar swelling like gout,synovitis,arthritis etc.

If you want to rule out these conditions then you will need to check you blood for raised uric acid levels,CRP and MRI of the ankle joint.

Personally,i do not feel that there is anything serious and you need not worry.

Thank you.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy