If you look down at your ankle, you’ll see a bony prominence on the inside and outside of the ankle joint. These bony bumps are called the medial and lateral malleolus, and they are actually part of the lower part of your fibula bone as it forms your ankle joint. Perhaps you’ve knocked these bony bumps on a table or chair leg at some time in your life, but what’s going on inside your foot if you’re dealing with pain or tenderness in these formations without direct trauma? We explore what may be causing ankle malleolus tenderness and how to treat it in today’s blog.
Causes Of Malleolus Pain
Pain and tenderness in the medial or lateral malleolus can be caused by a few different issues in the feet. Perhaps the most common is the ankle sprain. A moderate or severe ankle sprain can disrupt ligaments in the area, leading to localized pain and tenderness in and around the malleolus. While this is the most common source of malleolus discomfort, since it’s tied to an acute injury like an ankle sprain, it’s not going to be very hard to understand why this injury led to these symptoms. Malleolus pain can also develop from some not so obvious causes, including:
- Repetitive strain/Overstress injury
- Stress fractures
- Posterior tibial tendonitis
- Arthritis
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Bursitis
If symptoms are mild, you can likely work to treat the discomfort at home. Many of the above conditions respond well to conservative care, including treatments like rest, ice, compression, elevation and anti-inflammatory medications. You may also benefit from some physical therapy exercise to strengthen the ankle complex and a gradual return to more physical activities so as not to aggravate the issue (especially if it developed as a result of overstress or repetitive strain).
When To See A Doctor
It’s also possible that your malleolus discomfort is paired with more pressing symptoms that suggest you’d be wise to consult with a doctor or a foot and ankle specialist. If you’re dealing with any of these symptoms alongside your malleolus tenderness, consider scheduling an appointment with a doctor or heading to an urgent care facility:
- Visible foot deformity
- Inability to bear weight
- Pain remains elevated or worsens after 24-48 hours
In these instances, a provider will likely want to assess for a potential fracture. They’ll do this by talking with you about your symptoms, examining your foot in person and having you perform some simple movement tests. They’ll also likely get a closer look with the help of an imaging exam like an X-ray.
Even if a fracture is confirmed, there’s no guarantee that surgery will be needed. In many instances, you’ll be able to get by with conservative treatment, although bracing, a walking boot or similar protective gear may be recommended. In rare instances, surgery may be necessary to address a fracture, but that is typically reserved for more obvious cases of trauma. It’s unlikely that dull or chronic malleolus tenderness would be triggered by an issue that can only be solved with surgery.
For more information about malleolus pain and your treatment options, connect with Dr. Silverman and his team. You can reach out to him by clicking here.