What are the symptoms and causes of ankle tendonitis?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Ankle tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons surrounding the ankle joint, typically caused by overuse, repetitive strain, or acute injury. Common symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness, and tenderness around the ankle, often worsening with movement or activity.

Because ankle pain can stem from many causes—including tendonitis, sprains, arthritis, or stress fractures—identifying the source early is key to effective treatment and preventing chronic issues. Rather than guessing, take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand what may be causing your discomfort and confidently plan your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover likely causes of ankle tendonitis Learn if ankle pain needs care today Find out if it could be tendonitis See OTC options for ankle tendon pain Find an ankle specialist near you Understand home remedies for ankle tendonitis Discover if your ankle symptoms need care

Not seeing your question? No worries.

Submit your own Question

Explanation

Ankle tendonitis happens when the tendons around your ankle become irritated or inflamed. This can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty moving your ankle. Causes of ankle tendonitis often include overuse, such as doing too much running or jumping, or from an injury, like twisting your ankle. Sometimes, wearing shoes that don't fit well or having flat feet can also lead to tendonitis.

Symptoms of ankle tendonitis include:

Pain around the ankle, especially when moving it
Swelling or tenderness
Stiffness in the ankle
Difficulty walking or standing on your toes

To help your ankle heal, it's important to rest and avoid activities that make the pain worse. Icing the area and wearing supportive shoes can also help reduce symptoms. If you're experiencing these symptoms and want to better understand what might be causing your ankle pain, try Ubie's free AI-powered symptom checker to get personalized insights in just a few minutes.

(References)

Deu RS, Coslick AM, & Dreher G. (2022). Tendinopathies of the Foot and Ankle. American family physician, 35559641.
Simpson MR, & Howard TM. (2009). Tendinopathies of the foot and ankle. American family physician, 19904895.
Federer AE, Steele JR, Dekker TJ, Liles JL, & Adams SB. (2017). Tendonitis and Tendinopathy: What Are They and How Do .... Foot and ankle clinics, 29078821.

Thinking about asking ChatGPT?Ask me instead

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Was this page helpful?

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.