Illness name: ankle pain
Description:
There are lots of causes of ankle pain. You can usually ease the pain yourself. But see a GP if the pain does not improve.
If you see a GP about ankle pain, they'll usually suggest you try these things:
rest and raise your ankle when you can
put an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on your ankle for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
wear wide comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole
use soft insoles or heel pads in your shoes
wrap a bandage around your ankle
to support it
try regular gentle stretching exercises
use painkillers such as
paracetamol
or
ibuprofen gel
(or ibuprofen tablets if needed)
do not walk or stand for long periods
do not wear high heels or tight pointy shoes
You can ask a pharmacist about:
Find out more about managing ankle pain, including exercises you can do, on the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy website
These might be signs of a broken ankle.
Ankle pain is often caused by exercising too much or wearing shoes that are too tight.
Your symptoms might also give you an idea of what's causing your ankle pain.
Do not worry if you're not sure what the problem is.
Follow the advice on this page and see a GP if the pain does not get better in 2 weeks.
Page last reviewed: 22 February 2022
Ankle pain
How you can ease ankle pain yourself
Do
Don’t
A pharmacist can help with ankle pain
Non-urgent advice:
See a GP if:
Immediate action required:
Go to an urgent treatment centre or A&E if:
What we mean by severe pain
Common causes of ankle pain
Symptoms
Possible cause
Pain, swelling, bruising, started after intense or repetitive exercise
Sprained ankle
Pain in ankle and heel, pain in calf when standing on tiptoes
Achilles tendonitis
Redness and swelling, dull aching pain
Bursitis
Sudden sharp pain, swelling, a popping or snapping sound during the injury, difficulty walking, ankle at odd angle
Broken ankle
Next review due: 22 February 2025