What does it indicate when both ankles are in pain?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Bilateral ankle pain—pain in both ankles at once—can stem from several underlying conditions, including bone marrow edema syndrome, transient bone marrow edema, and sarcoidosis. Each of these affects the bones, joints, or surrounding tissues of the ankle in different ways, ranging from fluid buildup within the bone to inflammatory changes throughout the body.

Because ankle pain in both legs can point to conditions that vary widely in seriousness and treatment, identifying the likely cause early is important. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you clarify what may be driving your discomfort, highlight red flags, and guide your next steps—whether that means home care, seeing a primary care provider, or consulting a specialist. It takes only a few minutes and could save you time, worry, and unnecessary tests.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover causes of both-ankle pain now Learn if both-ankle pain needs care Find out what may cause ankle pain See OTC options for ankle pain Find an ankle-pain specialist near you Understand home remedies for ankle pain Check if both-ankle pain is serious

Not seeing your question? No worries.

Submit your own Question

Explanation

When both ankles are in pain, it might be due to conditions affecting the bones and tissues in that area.

Bone Marrow Edema Syndrome: This condition involves swelling in the bone marrow, which can cause pain and discomfort in the foot and ankle. It is often temporary but can be quite painful.
Transient Bone Marrow Edema: Similar to bone marrow edema syndrome, this condition is temporary and may cause swelling and pain. It usually resolves on its own but might require medical attention if symptoms persist.
Sarcoidosis: This is an inflammatory disease that can affect the ankles, causing pain and swelling. It is a part of a group of symptoms known as Löfgren's syndrome, which can include ankle pain.

If you experience pain in both ankles, you can use Ubie's free AI-powered symptom checker to help identify potential causes and determine whether you should consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

(References)

Mirghasemi SA, Trepman E, Sadeghi MS, Rahimi N, & Rashidinia S. (2016). Bone Marrow Edema Syndrome in the Foot and Ankle. Foot & ankle international, 27587374.
Sprinchorn AE, O'Sullivan R, & Beischer AD. (2011). Transient bone marrow edema of the foot and ankle and its .... Foot & ankle international, 21733459.
Mañá J, Gómez-Vaquero C, Salazar A, Valverde J, Juanola X, & Pujol R. (1996). Periarticular ankle sarcoidosis: a variant of Löfgren's .... The Journal of rheumatology, 8724301.

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.