Causes of ankle pain

The ankle pain can be caused by acute injury, overuse or chronic structural problems. It is a fundamental joint for gait, balance and stability, so any alteration can significantly affect mobility. The most common causes of ankle pain include:

Traumatic injuries

  • Ankle sprain (strain or tear of the ligaments, especially the external lateral ligament)
  • Bone fractures
  • Dislocations or subluxations joints
  • Contusions or bruises after impacts

Overuse or wear and tear injuries

  • Tendonitis of the Achilles or peroneal tendon
  • Plantar fasciitis (although it affects more the foot, it can cause pain radiating to the ankle).
  • Anterior or posterior ankle impingement syndrome
  • Retrocalcaneal bursitis
  • Ankle osteoarthritisespecially after poorly recovered injuries
  • Biomechanical or structural alterations
  • Chronic ankle instability
  • Flat or cavus foot without correction
  • Dysmetria or gait disturbances
  • Poor plantar support (detectable by means of a study of the footprint)

Ankle and foot pain symptoms

The symptoms of ankle and foot pain vary with the cause vary depending on the cause, but usually include:

  • Localized pain on the inside, outside, front or back of the ankle
  • Swelling, redness or temperature increase
  • Difficulty to support or walk normally
  • Sensation of ankle instability or “failure” of the ankle
  • Joint stiffness or locking
  • Pain that increases with physical activity or going up/down stairs
  • In the foot: pain in the sole (especially when standing up), in the heel or in the arch.
  • Tingling or numbness if nerve involvement is present

Persistent or recurrent pain may indicate a poorly healed injury or a functional impairment that needs specialized treatment.

Types of ankle and foot pain

Ankle osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis of the ankle involves degeneration of the articular surfaces that form it: the articular aspect of the tibia, the talus and the fibula. This wear and tear, in addition to pain, causes limitations of movement, especially when walking. Its development is slow and the pain appears little by little and worsens with the passage of time. As there is no cure, we must stop its deterioration and provide the ideal conditions for it to last for many years.

Although it is not as frequent as the hip or knee joint, it is very limiting due to its role as a great shock absorber of the lower extremity. This function is performed thanks to the talus, which is the main focus of wear in the joint.

For more information click here.

Ankle bursitis

Bursae are small sac-like structures that are placed between muscles, tendons and ligaments allowing their displacement. Some hip injuries produce ankle bursitis, which involves an inflammation of these structures producing significant and intense pain.

For more information click here.

Morton's neuroma

Foot pain due to Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflammation of one of the nerves that runs through the foot and is called plantar digital nerve.
It is one of the most common causes of pain in the front of the foot and sometimes its intensity leads to the sufferer not being able to put on shoes or support the affected foot.

For more information click here.

How to treat ankle and foot pain

At MIVI Health we perform a comprehensive approach to treat ankle and foot pain, adapting the treatment to each patient according to the diagnosis and their level of activity.

1. Medical and physiotherapeutic assessment

  • Analysis of gait and support
  • Stability, mobility and strength tests
  • Musculoskeletal ultrasound if necessary.
  • Referral for advanced imaging tests (radiography, MRI) in complex cases.

Specialized physiotherapy

  • Manual therapy and joint mobilization
  • Strengthening and proprioception exercises to avoid relapses
  • Dry needling or percutaneous electrolysis (EPI) in tendinopathies
  • Treatment of fasciae, ligaments and trigger points
  • Re-education of the footprint and postural correction
  • Specific stretching and functional motor control

3. Interventional treatments

In cases of persistent pain, we apply advanced techniques:

  • Ultrasound-guided infiltrations with anti-inflammatory drugs or hyaluronic acid
  • Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) for chronic tendinopathies
  • Nerve blocks or radiofrequency in selected cases of neuropathic pain

Recover mobility at MIVI Salud

Ankle or foot pain that does not improve? At MIVI Salud we help you to walk without pain and recover your quality of life. We have an expert team in physiotherapy, pain and biomechanics that will work with you from day one.

Accurate diagnosis

Personalized treatments

Complete functional reeducation

Make an appointment and start moving without limitations.

Here begins your life without pain

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Nuestros clientes opinan

Nena Jorge
Eñ medico es un gran profecional,enfermera muy atenta y agradable, muchas graicias por su amabilidad , el personal increible!!!!
Response from the owner:Nos alegra mucho saber Nena, que te hemos brindado una experiencia tan positiva! En MIVI Salud nos esforzamos por ofrecer un trato cercano y profesional desde el primer momento Saludos
RITA RODAMILANS
Molt profesionals, amb una atenció personalitzada val molt la pena posar-se a les seves mans .
Response from the owner:Agraïm molt la teva recomanació i confiança Rita en MIVI Salut .Sempre estarem aquí per brindar-te la millor atenció. Gràcies per triar-nos! Salutacions
Mercedes Sanchez-Cruzado Hervas
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It’s perfect I have pain in my back now I feel more better very clean and fast 🌹🌹
Response from the owner:Thank you very much ! We're glad to know your experience at MIVI Salud was excellent. We hope to serve you again in the future. Best regards.
Manuel Pavon
El doctor garcia nos atendio estupendamente y nos resolvio nuestro problema de dolor
alejandro gonzalez ruiz
Cada vez que vengo a este sitio me lo paso genial gracias a los fisios , evaluaré la posible lesion de mi tobillo para volver
Bruce Grindley
Recientemente me sometí a un procedimiento para aliviar un dolor considerable en mi espalda, después de caerme por un tramo de escaleras y dañarme la columna en tres lugares. Este procedimiento lo realizó el Dr. Santiago con la asistencia de Patricia Rodríguez Mederos de Mivi Salud Tenerife, en un quirófano del Hospital Quirón de Adeje, Tenerife, lo que me resultó mucho más cómodo que tener que subir a Sta Cruz. .

Desde que llegué fui muy bien atendido, primero por Atanay quien me preparó para el procedimiento y por Erika quien asistió al Dr. Santiago y Patricia en el quirófano. Me ofrecieron un gotero para ponerme en el brazo, con un sedante para mantenerme relajado, ya que el procedimiento se iba a realizar con anestesia local, en lugar de ponerme a dormir.

Sin embargo, rechacé el sedante porque las sonrisas de bienvenida y las garantías de todos los involucrados me tranquilizaron y no tenía ninguna preocupación. Realmente hace una gran diferencia ser tratado por estas personas tan profesionales, que me mantuvieron tranquila y relajada durante todo el tiempo que estuve allí.

Realmente no puedo elogiarlos lo suficiente y la buena noticia es que lo que hicieron fue muy exitoso y mi dolor de espalda se ha reducido considerablemente.

I recently underwent a procedure to relieve substantial pain in my back, after falling down a flight of stairs and damaging my spine in three places. This procedure was carried out by Dr Santiago with the assistance of Patricia Rodriguez Mederos of Mivi Salud Tenerife, in an operating room in the Quiron Hospital in Adeje, Tenerife, which was much more convenient for me, rather than having to go up to Sta Cruz.

From the moment I arrived, I was very well taken care of, firstly by Atanay, who prepared me for the procedure and by Erika who assisted Dr Santiago and Patricia in the operating room. I was offered a drip to be put in my arm, with a sedative to keep me relaxed, as the procedure was to be done using a local anaesthetic, rather than putting me to sleep.

However, I declined to have the sedative because the welcoming smiles and assurances from all concerned put me perfectly at ease, and I had no concerns whatsoever. It really makes a huge difference when being treated by these very professional people, who kept me calm and relaxed throughout the whole time I was there.

I really cannot praise them enough, and the good news is that what they did was very successful, and my back pain has been greatly reduced.
Response from the owner:Thank you Bruce for the 5 stars and for trusting our services and Dr. Santiago and his team. At MIVI Salud, we're here to help our patients in the best way possible. Best regards.
Adalberto Martin Rodriguez
Un gran equipo de profesionales, muy satisfecho con el trabajo, con los resultados y sobre todo el trato con el paciente.
Response from the owner:Adalberto, agradecemos mucho tu recomendación y confianza en MIVI Salud en ciudad. Siempre estaremos aquí para brindarte la mejor atención. ¡Gracias por elegirnos!
Ruth Rguez
Response from the owner:Muchas gracias por tu valoración Ruth! Saludos
Abel Garcia
Impresionante atención, diagnóstico y gran profesional. Mil gracias por todo.
Response from the owner:Muchas gracias Abel! Nos alegra saber que tu experiencia en MIVI Salud fue excelente. Esperamos poder servirte nuevamente en el fututo. Saludos

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