What are common causes of pain on the inner side of the ankle?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Inner ankle pain is most commonly caused by injuries to the deltoid ligament, medial ankle instability, or tendinopathies affecting the foot and ankle. Other potential causes include tendon strains, stress fractures, or nerve compression. Because these conditions share overlapping symptoms, identifying the exact cause can be difficult without guidance. Understanding your specific symptoms is the first step toward effective treatment—take a free, instant, online symptom check to clarify what may be causing your pain and confidently navigate your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

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Discover causes of inner ankle pain See if your ankle pain needs care Find out what's causing ankle pain Find OTC options for ankle pain Find ankle pain specialists near you Learn proven home remedies for ankle pain Understand if ankle pain needs urgent care

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Explanation

Pain on the inner side of the ankle, also known as medial ankle pain, can have several causes.

Deltoid Ligament Injuries: The deltoid ligament is a strong band of tissue on the inner side of the ankle. Injuries to this ligament can cause pain and swelling.

Medial Ankle Instability: Sometimes, the inner side of the ankle may become unstable, leading to pain. This can happen due to injuries or other conditions that affect the stability of the ankle joint.

Tendinopathies: Tendons around the foot and ankle, such as the posterior tibial tendon, can become painful due to overuse or injury. This is known as tendinopathy and can cause pain on the inner side of the ankle.

Understanding the exact cause of the pain is important for proper treatment. If you're experiencing persistent ankle pain and want to better understand what might be causing it, try our free AI symptom checker to help identify potential conditions and determine if you need medical attention.

(References)

Crim J. (2017). Medial-sided Ankle Pain: Deltoid Ligament and Beyond. Magnetic resonance imaging clinics of North America, 27888852.
Hintermann B. (2003). Medial ankle instability. Foot and ankle clinics, 14719838.
Deu RS, Coslick AM, & Dreher G. (2022). Tendinopathies of the Foot and Ankle. American family physician, 35559641.

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