We rely on our feet to get us around throughout the day, and our feet depend on our ankles for unimpeded mobility. If your ankles hurt, it can make walking uncomfortable and even difficult. If you haven’t injured your ankle, then you probably want to know what could be behind your ankle pain. There are a few common conditions that can cause a sharp pain in the ankle but no swelling.

Are you curious how a physical therapist could help if you experience a sharp pain in your ankle but no swelling? If you’re wondering how to relieve your ankle pain, it’s important to get checked out by a professional so that you can get the appropriate treatment. 

What are some common causes of sharp pain in the ankle without swelling? 

If you haven’t injured your ankle, there are a few common conditions that can cause this kind of pain.

• Achilles tendinitis — This condition commonly affects runners or other active people. When the Achilles tendon is torn, the condition is known as Achilles tendinitis. This can cause a sharp pain in the ankle. Sometimes it might not cause swelling depending on the severity of the damage to the tendon.

• Osteoarthritis — Arthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the bones is worn away, leaving the bones to rub together. This can be extremely painful and may cause a sharp pain in the ankle. Osteoarthritis can occur gradually over time, which is why it’s also known as “wear-and-tear” arthritis. Sometimes the pain from osteoarthritis can seem like it comes out of nowhere. 

• Gout — A gout attack can cause sudden sharp pain in the ankle that may not come with swelling. Gout occurs due to a buildup of uric acid in the joints. Gout is technically a form of arthritis, and it can be extremely painful. 

How a physical therapist can help the sharp pain in your ankle

If you think an ankle condition is causing sharp pain but no swelling, a physical therapist can help you find relief. Depending on the condition that’s causing your pain, a physical therapist may employ a variety of techniques to address the problem. Some of the most common techniques include: 

• Therapeutic exercises to strengthen the muscles that support the ankle joint. This can reduce the stress and tension on your ankle joint, which may be contributing to the pain.

• Joint mobilization techniques to increase the range of motion of the ankle. Joint mobilization can also maintain ankle flexibility and can even reduce pain caused by cascading stiffness. 

• Soft tissue mobilization to increase blood flow to the ankle joint and reduce inflammation. 

If you’re experiencing a sharp pain in your ankle, Continuum Wellness can help 

Ankle pain can disrupt your life and make getting around seem like a chore. Our team at Continuum Wellness has years of experience managing different foot and ankle conditions. We are prepared to build you a personalized treatment plan that targets the cause of your ankle pain. 

Contact our team today for more information about ankle pain or to schedule an initial appointment.