7 conditions that may be to blame for ankle pain when walking

Your ankles play a significant role in your everyday mobility, as they have to support your body weight for every movement. In fact, when you walk, your ankles can carry up to five times your body weight. So when you feel an ache in your ankle with every step, it can interfere with your overall quality of life. 

Ankle pain while walking can be frustrating because it makes a natural action difficult enough to stop you from carrying out your daily activities. By learning about the cause of your ankle pain when walking, you can determine the safest and most effective ways to alleviate the pain and restore its function.

We’ll talk about a few potential causes of ankle pain while walking as well as how to prevent it in the future. We’ll also discuss how we can help you alleviate the pain at Peak Performance Sports and Physical Therapy.

7 conditions that may explain your ankle pain when walking

There are some causes of temporary ankle pain when walking that aren’t a call for concern, such as walking for an extended period of time without a break. But if you’re feeling a persistent or worsening ache in your ankle with every step, then you should book an appointment with your general physician or podiatrist. They will evaluate your ankle’s function and range of motion, along with other symptoms that may accompany the pain, such as stiffness or swelling. With a proper diagnosis, you can work with your doctors to figure out the best treatment options.

Here are seven possible conditions that you may be diagnosed with that can explain your ankle pain when walking: 

1. Sprain — If you land awkwardly after a jump, or twist your ankle while walking down the stairs, it’s possible to sprain the ligaments. A sprain means that the supportive ligaments have become overstretched or torn, usually on the outside of the ankle. It’s a common injury for athletes, accounting for up to 40% of all athletic injuries. The main symptom is ankle pain that worsens when weight is applied, although it can also cause swelling and reduced range of motion.

2. Fracture — Often known as a broken ankle, an ankle fracture refers to a break in one or more of the three bones located in the joint. It can be caused by twisting the ankle or from traumatic impact, such as a car accident. The pain is often described as sharp and can intensify with every step. It can radiate from the ankle up to the knee. Deformity, bruising and swelling may also occur. 

3. Plantar fasciitis — There’s a band of tissue that stretches from the ball of your foot to your toes, called the plantar fascia, that creates tension to support your foot’s arch. It’s possible for the band to become inflamed, known as plantar fasciitis. While heel pain is the most common symptom, it can radiate to the ankle if the swollen tissue irritates your nerves.

4. Arthritis — There are several types of arthritis that can impact the foot and ankle, but the most common is osteoarthritis, or “wear-and-tear” arthritis, which means that the joint cartilage has gradually broken down over time. It can develop in the joint where your shinbone meets your ankle, causing ankle pain while walking that fades when you’re at rest. Other symptoms include reduced range of motion and stiffness. 

5. Achilles tendinitis — Your Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body, and it connects your heel to the calf muscles in the back of your leg. If this tendon becomes inflamed, it’s known as Achilles tendinitis or Achilles tendinopathy. It can be caused by intense or repetitive strain to the tissue. The condition can result in pain along the tendon that worsens with movement, such as walking, which can be felt in the back of the ankle.

6. Bursitis — There are fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joints from bones, tendons, muscles during movement, known as bursae. There are three bursae located in the ankle area. A bursa can become inflamed, resulting in ankle pain, swelling and reduced range of motion. Bursitis can be the result of overuse, trauma or infection.

7. Flat feet — Also known as pes planus or fallen arches, flat feet means that the sole of your foot touches the ground with each step from having little to no arch. It’s a condition that can cause pain that worsens with activity, such as walking. The pain can be felt along the arch area as well as on the outside of the ankle. It can also lead to ankle instability, which increases the risk of injury while walking.

How to prevent ankle pain when walking

Once you work with your doctors to determine the cause of your ankle pain while walking, it’s time to explore the treatment options that can not only help reduce your current symptoms, but also reduce the risk of experiencing them again in the future.

Here are a few options that can help you reduce and prevent ankle pain while walking.

• Supportive footwear — One way to alleviate ankle pain is to make sure that it has the proper support to heal when you’re not able to rest. Supportive footwear and orthotics can help reduce the strain on your ankle when walking. They can also go a long way in decreasing the risk of future ankle pain. Wearing the right footwear for every type of activity ensures that your weight is evenly distributed for stability.

• Rest and recovery — Whether you’re trying to heal from a condition causing your ankle pain, or you simply have an active lifestyle, resting your ankle is essential. During the healing period, it’s important to reduce the strain on your ankle from excessive movement. Be sure to schedule breaks throughout the day if you’re often on your feet. If you’re consistently putting stress on your ankle from exercise, then be sure that you rest your ankle afterward to help the affected muscles and joints cool down and recover.

• Physical therapy — A physical therapist can help you alleviate your current ankle pain as well as improve the overall quality of the affected area to improve its function and mobility while walking. With treatment options such as joint mobilization, therapeutic exercises and supportive footwear recommendations, you can reduce ankle pain and improve its overall mobility. Your therapist can also guide you through exercises that you can perform in your everyday life to maintain the ankle’s flexibility and strength before and after exercise.

Peak Performance Sports and Physical Therapy can help you address and improve ankle pain when walking

Nearly every task that you complete throughout the day requires use of your ankle, especially walking. If you feel ankle pain when you’re walking your dog or meandering through the grocery store, then it’s important to address it as soon as possible to reduce the risk of further damage. 

At Peak Performance, we’ll carry out an evaluation of your ankle’s function and mobility during your first appointment. This allows us to determine the likely cause of your ankle pain when walking as well as what treatments will be the best course of action to help reduce your symptoms. These plans may include manual therapy, guided exercises and aquatic therapy.

We’ll design a personalized treatment plan for your ankle to help reduce your pain while improving its strength, flexibility and range of motion.
Call us or request an appointment today if you’re experiencing ankle pain when walking.