The answer is what is the root cause of the ankle pain. So in order to fully answer your questions, the root cause has to be diagnosed and then treatment options can begin.

There are a lot of things to do for ankle pain. If it is inflammation we can do steroid injections or if a lot of scar tissue is in there a ankle scope would be advised. If it is arthritis or a defect on the cartilage again a scope could help with that. It depends on the specific problem that is occurring. If ligament pain we try a walking boot and anti-inflammatories as well.

First it has to be evaluated to determine the reason for the pain then a treatment plan initiated. Bracing, taping, physical therapy, orthotics, injections, pain medications are all possible treatments

Pain is the symptom. If they are a good podiatrist they will run some tests to see why there is pain and fix the problem not the symptom.

A podiatrist will first examine and evaluate your ankle. X-rays will be taken to make sure you do not have any fractures. You will be instructed to rest, elevate and ice your affected ankle. Depending on the severity of the injury or pain, your ankle can be immobilized using an ace bandage, a brace or a cam walker booth. You also will probably be prescribed some antiinflammatory medication for the pain and inflammation. An MRI may be ordered to rule out a stress fracture, ligamentous or tendon injury.

A Podiatrist will examine your foot/ankle, as necessary. If they feel the injury requires, they will send you for imaging studies, such as x-rays, CT scans, MRI. And if conservative treatment is indicated, you will be treated conservatively. If a tendon or ligament is severely sprained, attenuated, or torn, or if there is a fracture, surgical intervention may be indicated.

A podiatrist will work up ankle pain similar to any other practitioner. Depending on the symptoms, we will order x rays and do a physical exam. I recommend you schedule an appointment with a podiatrist (foot and ankle surgeon) for more information

The very first event in a podiatrist office is to evaluate, examine, and obtain an X-ray to see what the contributing factors are.

Accurately diagnose the condition and provide necessary conservative treatment and/or surgical treatments.

Thank you for the question. Problem is that this question is too wide to give you a specific answer. For foot and ankle pain, we need radiographs, sometimes MRI, and then we can proceed with the appropriate treatment which may be physical therapy, exercise, foot orthotics, or injection therapy. Hopefully you will be able to find a physician in your area.

Thank you,

Dr. Mark Gorman