Symptom Checker
Step 4: Read and complete the decision guide to learn more about your symptoms.
Ankle Pain
From your answers (mild ankle pain, no fever, for at least three weeks, with swelling, no other joint pain, no morning stiffness), a number of conditions could explain your pain:
Osteoarthritis is a common cause of joint pain in persons over age 50 or if there has been previous injury or arthritis. Other forms of arthritis are also possible (see the next page).
A sprain or tendonitis could cause pain and swelling without other symptoms; sometimes people do not recall any specific injury.
There are other possibilities (if you can believe it!) and early treatment is important for many of these, so it is important that you see your doctor soon for evaluation.
If your ankle pain is already improving, you may just need to give it a bit more time; over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen) are reasonable to try unless you are already taking them or your doctor has told you to avoid these. If symptoms persist, see your doctor for evaluation.
Disclaimer: This content should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a call or visit to a health professional. Use of this content is subject to specific terms of use & medical disclaimers.
