Ankle Pain When Walking? How to Relieve It with DASS

Ankle pain is a common problem often caused by a specific activity, injury, or condition. Fortunately, most ankle pain responds well to rest, pain medication, and the support of an ankle brace to help prevent re-injury.

Tired of ankle pain slowing you down? Learn about common causes, explore treatment options, and see how the PowerStep® Dynamic Ankle Support Sock can provide relief and protect against injury.

In This Article:

• What causes ankle pain?
• How can an ankle support brace help?
• How do you treat ankle pain?
• Other FAQs about ankle pain.

The Common Causes of Ankle Pain

Any injury to the bones, ligaments or tendons of the ankle can cause discomfort. Whether it's a sports injury, overuse, or even arthritis, symptoms can range from discomfort, swelling, and stiffness to difficulty walking or bearing weight.

The location and severity of pain can help identify the cause. Below are some common reasons for ankle pain ranging from an acute sprain to conditions like plantar fasciitis.

Ankle sprains

A twisted or sprained ankle happens when supporting ligaments in the ankle stretch too far and can tear. This can cause pain, swelling, and bruising. The three grades of ankle sprains range from mild to a partial tear to a fully torn ligament that may require surgery.

Broken ankle

A broken ankle happens when a bone or bones in the ankle joint are fractured. Symptoms include a snapping or popping sensation and a sudden, sharp pain once injured along with difficulty bearing weight.

Did you know? Ankle sprains and breaks that heal improperly can lead to long-term pain. According to research, up to 40% of ankle sprains lead to chronic pain and 20% of people with acute sprains have chronic ankle instability. The Dynamic Ankle Support Sock can help prevent reinjury, improve stability and relieve pain.

Achilles tendinitis or rupture

Activities that put repetitive stress on the Achilles tendon can cause Achilles tendinitis. Symptoms include pain in the back of the ankle and heel that worsens with activity. You might also have swelling, stiffness, and ankle pain in the morning.

Sharp or sudden heel pain, a popping sound, and extreme difficulty walking are signs of an Achilles tendon rupture. A partially or fully torn Achilles tendon requires immediate medical attention.

Peroneal tendinitis

Outer ankle pain is a common symptom of peroneal tendinitis. This type of tendinitis affects the tendons that run along the outer ankle bone alongside your foot. Causes include repetitive stress from high impact activities, inflammation, or a past ankle sprain.

Arthritis

Ankle joint pain can be caused by several types of arthritis including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. While gout usually affects the big toe joint, painful flare-ups can occur in the ankle.

Past ankle injuries can also develop into post-traumatic arthritis. Research shows that 75 to 85% of cases of osteoarthritis of the ankle are a result of a past sprain or injury that may not have fully healed.

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD)

The posterior tibial tendon spans the inside of the ankle from the upper calf muscles down to your arch. Inflammation and stress from overuse or injury can cause the tendon to weaken, leading to inner ankle pain and arch pain while walking.

PTTD is a leading cause of adult-acquired flatfoot or fallen arches. You can alleviate pain and prevent the condition from worsening with supportive insoles for flat feet that help control overpronation, or the inward rolling of the ankle.

Heel bursitis

A bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac that sits between your heel bone and the Achilles tendon. Heel bursitis happens when the bursa becomes inflamed due to overuse or a sudden increase in activity, causing ankle and heel pain, swelling, and redness.

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of the tendon that connects the heel to the ball of the foot. Although heel pain is the most common symptom, this discomfort might radiate to the ankle because of irritated nerves or changes in how you walk.

PowerStep Pinnacle® orthotic insoles are the #1 podiatrist-recommended insoles for plantar fasciitis. They are clinically proven to help relieve and prevent foot and ankle pain, helping to improve overall foot function.

What Makes DASS The Best Brace for Ankle Pain & Recovery

Rigid ankle braces can weaken the ankle over time, so doctors recommend using a soft ankle brace or sleeve for long-term recovery. The Dynamic Ankle Support Sock, or DASS, offers the best ankle support for everyday wear and injury prevention.

A comfortable compression sock and ankle brace in one, DASS is your ultimate defense against sprains, strains, and instability. Its anatomical design includes:

• Compression Sock Base: Mimics ankle wrapping to support the ankle, stabilize the heel, and reduce swelling.
• Adjustable Straps: Simulates ankle taping to provide stability, protection against injury, and improve fit.
• Flexible Support Cage: Supports and protects the ligaments for healthy motion while restricting extreme movement.
• Low-Profile Design: Fits comfortably into most shoes, so you can move with confidence.

Ask your podiatrist about the PowerStep Dynamic Ankle Support Sock and read more about How DASS Prevents Injuries and Relieves Pain on the PowerStep Blog.

Ankle Pain Treatments & At-Home Solutions

Talk to your healthcare provider if your ankle hurts when you walk. A foot and ankle doctor can help determine the cause of your pain and how best to treat it. If your doctor suggests wearing an ankle brace, ask about PowerStep’s most comfortable ankle brace.

The following at-home treatments can provide relief for mild to moderate ankle pain:

• The RICE method. Rest the injured ankle, apply Ice to reduce swelling, use Compression, and Elevate the ankle above your heart to reduce pain and promote healing.
• Pain medications. Over-the-counter pain medications help reduce swelling and pain. For natural relief, use a topical pain reliever like Doctor Hoy’s for arthritis.
• Shoe insoles. PowerStep orthotic insoles add arch and heel support to your shoes, improving alignment and stability to help relieve and prevent foot and ankle pain.
• Proper footwear. Wearing the right footwear for the activity you’re doing is crucial to preventing injuries that can cause ankle pain.
• Ankle braces. Ankle braces and post-injury ankle support sleeves help speed up recovery and prevent reinjury by supporting and stabilizing the ankle.
• Physical therapy. Exercises that strengthen the ankle and improve flexibility can help reduce your chance of future injury.

Severe ankle sprains, fractures, and other injuries may require further treatment including surgery. Post-op support and rigid bracing can help keep the ankle stabilized and protected during recovery.

More FAQs about Ankle Pain

Ankle pain makes it hard to stay on your feet, especially if you enjoy being active. These commonly asked questions can help you learn more about the causes of ankle pain and when to seek treatment.

What causes pain in the ankle without injury?

You don’t have to be injured to have ankle pain. Health conditions that affect your joints like arthritis, lupus, and gout as well as having flat feet or high arches can cause ankle pain without prior injury.

Why does the side of my ankle hurt?

Different types of tendinitis can make the side of your ankle hurt. Peroneal tendinitis often causes outer ankle pain while posterior tibial tendinitis can cause pain along the inside of the ankle.

Can plantar fasciitis cause ankle pain?

Plantar fasciitis can cause ankle pain when you change how you walk, putting extra stress on your ankle joints, or when irritated nerves send pain up your heel and into your ankle.

How do I know if my ankle pain is serious?

For severe ankle pain, seek immediate medical attention if: you hear a snapping or popping sound at time of injury, your ankle is at an unnatural angle, or you cannot move or put weight on the injured ankle.

For mild to moderate discomfort, see your doctor if your ankle pain continues to worsen, interrupts your daily routine, makes it hard to walk, or you have diabetes with foot or ankle pain.

Relieve Ankle Pain with the Dynamic Ankle Support Sock

Ankle pain can feel like a setback, but understanding its causes and knowing your treatment options is key to recovery. The PowerStep Dynamic Ankle Support Sock offers comfortable, everyday support for ankle pain relief that helps you stay active.

PowerStep® does not diagnose or treat any medical conditions. The products above are designed to help relieve and prevent ankle pain from various types of injuries. See a doctor if you have ankle pain that makes it hard to walk or perform daily activities.