Lingering Pain from a Sprained Ankle?

Sprained ankles are one of the most common types of leg injuries. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, sprained ankle injuries occur in nearly 25,000 Americans every day. While most sprained ankles heal without complications, some people experience lingering pain in their ankles and legs. Complications and lingering pain from a sprained ankle may require a visit to an orthopedic surgeon or specialist in the treatment of leg pain.

Complications from a sprained ankle may include:

  • Instability: Instability is a common sign of a complication from a sprained ankle. Instability of the ankle often develops as a result of not giving the joint enough time to heal after the sprain. The ankle may feel weak or give way, leading to repeated strains and persistent pain in the leg and ankle. Weakness and instability of the ankle are treated with rest, physical therapy, and muscle strengthening exercises to stabilize the joint.
  • Fractures: When lingering pain in both sides of a sprained ankle is accompanied by persistent swelling, there may be a fracture of the fibula. An inability to bear weight on the ankle, bruising, or an unusual grinding sensation in the ankle while walking could indicate a fracture. In addition to a fracture in the fibula, the bones of the ankle joint may dislocate, further compounding and extending the period of the pain.
  • Arthritis: If lingering pain from a sprained ankle persists for months, this could indicate arthritis in the ankle joint. Arthritis that develops after an injury to the joint is referred to as post-traumatic arthritis. This complication can develop even if the sprain was properly treated and otherwise fully healed. Pain from arthritis may cause symptoms for years after the initial injury.

Dr. Jason Gold, DPM, FACFAS

Dr. Jason Gold, DPM, FACFAS, is a podiatrist at the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center in Boca Raton, FL, and Boynton Beach, FL. He has over 20 years of experience and specializes in foot and ankle conditions like bunions, fat pad atrophy, and sports medicine. Dr. Jason holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland, College Park, and he earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia. He's one of only 10 board-certified Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Surgeons in Palm Beach County. Dr. Gold has been featured in highly authoritative publications like HuffPost, PureWow, and Yahoo!

Dr. Jodi Schoenhaus , DPM - Podiatrist in Boca Raton, FL

Dr. Jodi Schoenhaus DPM, RPhs, FACFAS

Dr. Jodi Schoenhaus, DPM, RPhs, FACFAS, is a podiatrist at the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center in Boca Raton, FL, and Boynton Beach, FL. She has over 20 years of experience and specializes in foot, ankle, and leg vein conditions like spider and varicose veins and sclerotherapy. Dr. Jodi holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Michigan, and she earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia. Dr. Schoenhaus has performed FDA-approved research and has been published in the National Library of Medicine and PubMed. Dr. Jodi has been featured in highly authoritative publications like Cosmopolitan, Lifehacker, Parade, New York Post, and Yahoo!, among others.