If you have ankle pain, you may find it difficult to walk, work, and enjoy life. Whether your ankle pain is from a sports injury, arthritis, or some other cause, a podiatrist can help manage your pain. The ankle pain relief treatment they recommend depends on the cause of your pain. Here are a few options they may choose from for ankle pain management.
Medication
Ankle pain is often due to inflammation of the joint, tendon, or other tissues in your ankle. Inflammation triggers pain, so anti-inflammatory medications could be important for pain management. Your podiatrist might prescribe medication, advise you on the over-the-counter medications to use, or inject an anti-inflammatory drug into your ankle.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is known for its use in treating plantar fasciitis, but it can be used for other foot and ankle conditions too. With this treatment, the podiatrist guides a wand that produces shock waves over the painful area in your ankle. The waves travel deep under your skin to stimulate the injured area. The shockwaves reduce pain, increase blood flow, and encourage healing of the tissues.
Ultrasound Therapy
Ultrasound therapy is similar to shockwave therapy, except the waves are not as intense. Ultrasound therapy uses sound waves to penetrate the tissues in your ankle. The waves travel inches under your skin to provide an anti-inflammatory effect to injured tissues. Plus, the waves produce heat that increases blood flow to the area, and this helps with healing.
Cold Laser Therapy
A cold laser gets its name because it doesn't produce heat like other lasers do. A cold laser doesn't cause any discomfort when used. The light from the laser penetrates your skin and targets cells in damaged tissues. The result is ankle pain relief and less inflammation. The treatments also stimulate your cells to start repairing injured tissues, so the laser helps speed healing as well as provide pain relief.
Immobilization
In some cases, it may be necessary for your podiatrist to immobilize your ankle with a cast or other device so your ankle is stable and heals properly. With your ankle in proper alignment, you may also experience less pain. You may need to use crutches or a knee walker when your foot and ankle are immobilized so you can continue to stay mobile while your ankle heals.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy might help with ankle pain relief too. You might need to strengthen or stretch your muscles to keep your ankle mobile and for pain relief. Plus, you can get other treatments in PT, such as massage therapy and education on how to adapt to walking and other activities while your ankle heals. Visit a clinic like Scola Podiatry to learn more.
Share13 January 2022
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