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Ankle pain of Foot Pain is often due to an ankle sprain. A sprain is an injury to the ligaments, a connection of bones with one another. In most cases of ankle sprain, the ankle is twisted inward, causing small tears in the ligaments. This makes the ankle unstable. The tearing leads to swelling and bruising, making it difficult to bear weight on the joint.
Other structures in the ankle that can be damaged and cause pain are tendons (which join muscles to bone), cartilage (which cushions joints), and blood vessels. Adjacent areas can cause pain to be felt in the ankle, such as the foot, lower leg, knee and even hip.
Causes
- Bunions , a protrusion at the base of the big toe, which can become inflamed
- Hammer toes, toes that curl downward into a claw-like position
- Calluses and corns, thickened skin from friction or pressure.
- Plantar warts, from pressure on the soles of your feet.
- Fallen arches, also called flat feet.
- Poorly-fitting shoes
Other common causes of foot pain include:
- Broken bones
- Stress fracture
- Arthritis
- Gout -- common in the big toe, which becomes red, swollen, and very tender
- Plantar fasciitis
- Bone spur
- Sprains
- Bursitis of the heel
- Tendinitis
Natural Cures
- Apply ice to reduce pain and swelling. Do this just after an activity that aggravates your pain.
- Elevate your painful foot as much as possible.
- Reduce activity until the problem improves.
- Wear foot pads in areas of friction or pressure. This will prevent rubbing and irritation.
- Take over-the-counter pain medicine, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Try this for 2 to 3 weeks (unless you have a history of an ulcer, liver disease, or other condition that does not allow you to take one of these drugs).
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