Patient Education

Chronic lateral ankle pain is recurring or chronic pain on the outside part of the ankle that often develops after an injury such as a sprained ankle.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Ankle instability.
• Difficulty walking on uneven ground or in high heels.
• Pain, sometimes intense, on the outer side of the ankle.
• Repeated ankle sprains.
• Stiffness.
• Swelling.
• Tenderness.

Although ankle sprains are the most common cause of chronic lateral ankle pain, other causes may include:

• A fracture in one of the bones that make up the ankle joint.
• Arthritis of the ankle joint.
• Inflammation of the joint lining.
• Injury to the nerves that pass through the ankle. In this case, the nerves become stretched, torn, injured by a direct blow, or pinched under pressure.
• Scar tissue in the ankle after a sprain. The scar tissue takes up space in the joint, putting pressure on the ligaments.
• Torn or inflamed tendon.

Treatments for chronic lateral ankle pain include:

• Over the counter or prescription anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling. Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications.
• Physical therapy, including tilt-board exercises that focus on strengthening the muscles, restoring range of motion, and increasing your perception of joint position.
• Ankle braces or other supports.
• Steroid medication.
• Immobilization to allow the bone to heal (in cases of fractures).