Tendinitis, a.k.a tendonitis, is generally identified as an inflammation of the tendon. Tendinitis of the ankle can involve the Achilles tendon, the posterior tibial tendon, or the peroneal tendon.
While generally resulting from direct trauma, this condition also can be prompted by underlying inflammatory diseases or illnesses including reactive arthritis (formerly known as Reiter's syndrome), rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
Regardless of its cause, tendinitis involves a great deal of pain, swelling, and tenderness in the afflicted tendon area. In the case of an athletic injury, the onset can come quickly. Immediate treatment involves the immobilization and elevation of the afflicted area, along with elevation, and limited weight bearing, the application of ice, and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to alleviate inflammation. NSAIDs like naproxen (Naprosyn) or ketoprofen (Orudis) are used in these instances.
More severe inflammations may require orthopedic casting. Athletic participation should be limited when the tendon remains inflamed, as a significant risk of rupturing or tearing the tendon may occur with continued athletic activity, especially in the Achilles area.
A rupture of the Achilles tendon more frequently occurs in patients who have experienced Achilles inflammation in previous instances.
When the Achilles tendon ruptures, orthopedic surgical repair is generally needed. What specific diseases and conditions prompt ankle pain, and how can they be treated?
Inflammatory categories of arthritis, otherwise known as inflammation of the joint, can affect the ankle area.
These conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, gouty arthritis, as well as psoriatic arthritis, etc. Usually not caused by trauma injury, they develop on a gradual basis. When it comes to these conditions, the sufferer generally experiences pain, swelling, stiffness, redness, as well as warmth.
Each of these ailments is associated with a very specific course of treatment. Another ankle condition that can cause ankle pain is tarsal tunnel syndrome, a direct result of nerve compression at the ankle as the nerve passes under the normal supportive band around the ankle known as the flexor retinaculum.
Ankle joint infections do not happen often. They most commonly occur as a result of bacteria being introduced into the ankle joint by way of trauma or puncture wounds. They also occur with a breakdown of the skin over the ankle resulting from abrasions or ulcerations. People with impaired immune systems, such as AIDS patients or those suffering from other immune diseases, are more likely to develop ankle and other joint infections. Also, patients suffering from diabetes or those who take cortisone medications are more likely to develop bacterial infections afflicting the joints.
Bacterial joint infections are serious and require remedies of drainage and antibiotics, generally taken through an intravenous. It is possible to develop viral infections of the ankle joints. Children are the most likely to suffer from this type of malady in an isolated joint, like the ankle, this disorder is called "toxic synovitis." This condition results in temporary joint inflammation and can be first noticed when the child develops a subtle limping. It is benign and generally takes care of itself with the symptomatic treatment, which takes the form of acetaminophen (Tylenol), for pain relief.
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