Ankle pain can manifest in a number of different ways, but for a subset of Americans, they find that their ankle discomfort is most prominent on the back of the foot, just above the heel area. While it may seem like a strange location for ankle pain to develop, there are a few important structures housed in this area that could be responsible for this discomfort. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the common causes of pain on the back of an ankle, and we share some treatment options for these issues.
Causes Of Back Of Ankle Pain
For a clear understanding of what’s causing your pain near the back of your ankle, we recommend connecting with a foot and ankle specialist who can view your foot in person. With that said, here are some common culprits they’ll likely look to confirm or rule out.
Achilles Tendonitis – Your Achilles tendon connects at the base of your heel, and problems with the tendon can feel like they are developing on the back of your ankle. Achilles tendonitis typically develops as a result of repetitive strain or overuse, leading to microtears of the strong tendon fibers. Rest, physical therapy and a gradual return to greater physical challenges are a great way to overcome Achilles tendonitis.
Arthritis – Arthritis can affect any joint in your body, and oftentimes the problem develops in the ankle. Depending on how the protective cartilage in your ankle joint breaks down, it’s possible that tenderness and pain may be felt along the back of the ankle. Weight loss, regular exercise and physical therapy that focuses on restoring and maintaining mobility is crucial for patients dealing with ankle arthritis.
Bursitis – Your bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that lubricate soft tissues and help to cushion bones and other structures near your joints. Repetitive stress can cause these bursae to inflame, leading to localized inflammation and range of motion restrictions. Your retrocalcaneal bursa is located near your heel in the back of your ankle, and if this sac is overstressed, symptoms may develop on the back of your ankle. Short-term rest followed by anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy can help you calm an irritated bursa sac.
Acute Injuries – An acute injury like a sprain or an ankle fracture may also lead to pain at the back of the ankle, but this isn’t the most common location for discomfort to develop. If you’re dealing with these injuries, you likely have pain on the sides and front of your ankle as well. Ankle sprains typically cause damage to the ligaments on the sides of your ankle joint, so back of the ankle pain is not that common with a sprain injury, and an ankle fracture will lead to discomfort in a significant portion of your ankle. Rest and physical therapy can help you manage these injuries, although a minimally invasive corrective procedure may be recommended for more severe acute ankle injuries.
Ankle pain near the back of your ankle isn’t likely to go away by ignoring the problem, and in fact it’s more likely to worsen, so connect with a specialist or your primary care physician if you’re having difficulty putting this discomfort to rest. For more information about back of the ankle symptoms, or for help with a different foot or ankle issue, connect with Dr. Silverman today.