What can Cause Ankle Pain without Injury?

Ankle pain can occur due to several reasons. While a doctor is the best person to identify what is the reason of ankle pain or why ankle pain occurs, you can understand about the various conditions that may cause pain ankle pain as follows:

Arthritis 

1. The ankle's redness, stiffness and pain may result from ankle joint arthritis. Arthritis occurs when the cartilage in a joint breaks down. Cartilage is tissue in the joints that cushions the bones.
2. This cartilage breakdown affects the bone, and the bones start to rub against each other during movements. Many types of arthritis can affect the ankle joint. The common ones are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
3. However, arthritis is more common in people aged 65 years and above. 

Infection 

1. Many types of infections, like cellulitis, can cause pain and swelling in the ankle joint.
2. Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and the tissues under the skin. Osteomyelitis, a bone infection, can result from a staphylococcus bacterial infection, leading to pain in the ankles. 

Flat foot

1. Minimal or no arch in the sole of the foot is called a flat foot.
2. This may lead to swelling and pain in the ankles and feet. In some cases, the arches of the feet in kids are not adequately developed, resulting in flat foot.

Gout

1. Gout is a type of arthritis that occurs due to the build-up of a substance called uric acid in the body.
2. Usually, uric acid is expelled from the body through urine. But excess uric acid may lead to formation of crystals that settle in the joints, leading to swelling and ankle pain.

Plantar fasciitis 

1. The inflammation of the plantar fascia leads to a common condition called plantar fasciitis.
2. The plantar fascia is a rubber band-like ligament that stretches from the toes to the heel. Inflammation of this ligament majorly affects the foot, but sometimes, if this inflammation irritates a nerve, the pain may radiate up to the ankles.