4 Ankle Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

At PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we hear patients who feel a weird twinge in their ankle, and their first instinct is to rub it, walk it off, and carry on. We like to think of our ankles as indestructible hinges, but they are just as susceptible to injury as they are strong. Here are 4 symptoms you shouldn’t just ignore.

1. The Giving Way Sensation

If you’re just walking across a flat kitchen floor and suddenly feel like your ankle is going to collapse, that is a massive red flag. This usually points to chronic ankle instability.

This happens when a previous sprain didn’t heal properly and left the ligaments stretched out like a loose rubber band. If you ignore this, you might be one bad step away from a complete ligament tear or a nasty fall.

2. The Locked Joint

Ever try to flex your foot and feel like there is a physical block stopping the movement? Like a pebble is stuck in the hinge of a door? This is often caused by a loose body, which is a tiny piece of bone or cartilage that has broken off and is floating around in the joint space.

It’s literally a rock in your shoe, but inside your body. If that piece gets caught in the wrong spot, it can grind down your healthy cartilage and lead to early-onset arthritis.

3. Persistent Night Pain

Normal soreness usually gets better when you put your feet up and binge-watch a show. But if your ankle is throbbing or aching specifically when you are lying still in bed, pay attention.

Persistent night pain can be a sign of bone stress or deep inflammation that isn't related to activity. If it’s accompanied by heat or redness, it could even be an infection or a gout flare-up.

4. Numbness or Zapping Sensations

Your ankle is a transit desert for nerves. If you feel a zing of electricity or a patch of skin that feels like it’s wearing a thick glove, a nerve is being pinched.

This could be Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome or even a back issue. Nerves are notoriously unforgiving; the longer they stay compressed, the harder they are to wake up later.

The Bottom Line on Serious Ankle Signals

While a little soreness after a long day is normal, your ankles have a specific way of screaming when something is actually wrong. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to pay a visit to your local podiatrist.

At PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we care for a wide variety of foot and ankle ailments. Dr. Charlotte George, Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are ready to serve our Hartford County patients. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.