What are the potential causes of pain on the inside of the ankle?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Inner ankle pain often results from ligament injuries, joint instability, or lingering effects of a previous outer ankle sprain. Common causes include posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, deltoid ligament sprains, stress fractures, or tendonitis. Symptoms may include swelling, tenderness, and difficulty bearing weight on the affected foot.

Because inner ankle pain has many possible causes—some minor, some requiring prompt care—identifying the underlying issue early is key to proper treatment and recovery. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you clarify what may be causing your discomfort and guide your next steps with confidence.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn what’s causing inside ankle pain See if inside ankle pain needs care Discover if ankle pain could be serious Find OTC relief for ankle pain Find an ankle pain specialist near you Explore home remedies for ankle pain Understand your ankle pain with a symptom check

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Explanation

Pain on the inside of the ankle, also known as medial ankle pain, can have several causes. One common cause is injury to the deltoid ligament, which is a group of strong ligaments on the inside of the ankle. These can be damaged during an ankle sprain, especially if the sprain happens on the outside of the ankle. This can lead to pain and instability in the ankle joint.

Another cause of medial ankle pain is medial ankle instability. This occurs when the structures that support the inside of the ankle become weak or damaged, leading to a feeling of looseness or giving way in the ankle. This condition can make it difficult to walk or run without discomfort.

In some cases, medial ankle pain can occur after a lateral ligament rupture, which is a tear in the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. This can cause stress on the inside of the ankle, leading to pain and discomfort. If you are experiencing persistent pain on the inside of your ankle, you can check your symptoms with our free AI symptom checker to help determine the underlying cause and whether you should seek medical attention.

(References)

van Dijk CN, Bossuyt PM, & Marti RK. (1996). Medial ankle pain after lateral ligament rupture. The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume, 8682821.
Hintermann B. (2003). Medial ankle instability. Foot and ankle clinics, 14719838.
Crim J. (2017). Medial-sided Ankle Pain: Deltoid Ligament and Beyond. Magnetic resonance imaging clinics of North America, 27888852.

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