Talk about being attentive to my care! After my fall, Dr. Riley was with me throughout it all. A very patient doctor who will explain everything in full detail (as many times necessary.) Thank you for all you do doctor.
I've always been a very active person. After years of aching shins, I decided to take a leap and go see a local physician. It turned out I was experiencing a stress fracture! I am so glad I went to see Dr. Riley before it got worse. He suggested orthotics and to give it a rest on the sports for a bit. Thanks doc, is now better than ever!
Dr. Riley is the absolute BEST surgeon around! I wouldn't trust anyone else with my care. After exhausting all of the possible options for my knee without surgery. He allowed me to finally come to the conclusion that it is time. I am now a year pain-free!
Since I can remember I've played baseball. Due to pitching for so long, I had to retire my glove for about a year while I recovered from my UCL surgery. Even though the recovery path was long, I'm now back to playing the sport I love. Dr. Riley was nothing short of a miracle worker! I recommend him to everyone, you can't go wrong.
Why am I experiencing ankle pain?
More so than not, ankle pain is often the result of an injury, and an ankle injury is often considered a sports injury. Although, you don’t have to be an athlete to twist your ankle and injure it. It is possible to injure your ankle by simple walking on an uneven surface.
Ankle Pain Causes
Although ankle pain is often considered a sports injury, it is often caused by instability, arthritis, gout, tendonitis, fracture, nerve compression infection and poor structural alignment of the leg or foot. Below you will find common causes of ankle pain:
Ankle fracture: The ankle joint is balanced by several ligaments that stabilize the joint. When the ankle is stressed past its threshold, you injure the joint. There are many ways which a fracture can occur; twisting the ankle to both sides, extending the joint, rolling the ankle, or by applying force to the joint (such as landing too hard on your feet.)
Ankle Sprain: When an ankle is sprained it is due to it being forced out of its normal position, such as a roll, twist or turn in an awkward way. A sprained ankle occurs when ligaments are forced past their normal range of motion.
Syndesmotic injury: A high ankle sprain happens when the foot is on the ground and a sudden excessive outward twisting occurs. Although, the most common motions are extreme external rotation or dorsiflexion of the Talus. This type of sprain is typical to athletes, such as football and downhill skiing.
Cartilage injury: A cartilage injury can occur for many reasons, including wear and tear, lack of movement or injury. People of all ages can be affected by this injury. However, it is more common in middle-aged women.
Peroneal tendonitis: Peroneal tendonitis is enlargement and thickening of the peroneal tendon. It occurs typically from an overuse injury with a sudden increase in exercise or improper footwear.
Achilles tendon injury/ rupture: A tendon rupture affects the back of your leg. It can occur if you overstretch the tendon. Typically if an Achilles tendon has ruptured you will hear a pop, followed by sharp pain. This injury often occurs from an increase in exercise, falling from a height or stepping into a hole.
Common Ankle Pain Treatments
Your physcican will usually first suggest rest, ice and heat, or physical therapy to attempt to treat your pain the conservative way. If it appears your ankle pain is not subsiding from conservative treatments your surgeon might suggest surgical options.
Non-operative Ankle Treatments
A cortisone injection may help to relieve pain and inflammation in a specific area of your body. This injection typically includes a corticosteroid medication and a local anesthetic.
The trigger point injection (also known as TPI) is used to treat pain in certain areas in the body that contain knots of muscle that form when muscles don’t relax.
Platelet Rich Plasma injections may help damaged tissue when plasma is injected into the damaged tissue to stimulate your body to grow new healthy cells and promote healing.
Surgical Ankle Procedures
When your broken bone won't heal properly, surgery is often considered. There are many procedures used for an ankle fracture. The repair is usually done using metal screws, rods, pins or plates to hold the bone in place.
This is a surgical procedure which allows the surgeon the opportunity to insert a tiny camera and tiny tools through a small incision to operate on the ankle.
First, an incision on the back of the lower leg. Next, the surgeon will locate the two ends of the ruptured tendon and sew them back together. The incision is then closed.
This procedure is typical for a cartilage injury. This surgery is performed arthroscopically by the surgeon inserting a tiny camera and tiny tools into the incision. Then, the surgeon will smooth the damaged cartilage and remove any loose edges to prevent rubbing or further irritation.