What are the possible causes of pain in my ankle?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Ankle pain is most often caused by sprains or acute injuries, though it can also result from less common conditions such as tendon inflammation (tendonitis), arthritis, or nerve-related issues. Common symptoms include swelling, stiffness, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight. Identifying the underlying cause is essential for proper treatment and recovery.

Because ankle pain has many possible causes—ranging from minor strains to conditions that need medical attention—guessing can delay the care you need. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand what may be causing your pain and get clear guidance on your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover why your ankle hurts See if ankle pain needs care Find likely causes of ankle pain Find OTC relief for ankle pain Find an ankle pain specialist Learn medically valid ankle pain remedies Understand if ankle pain is serious

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Explanation

Ankle pain can come from many different causes. The most common cause is a sprain, which happens when you stretch or tear the ligaments that support your ankle. Sprains often occur during activities that involve sudden stops or twists.

Other causes of ankle pain include:

Injuries: Like fractures or tendon injuries, which can happen during sports or accidents.
Arthritis: A condition that causes swelling and stiffness in the joints.
Tendon Problems: Such as tendinitis, where the tendons become inflamed.

Sometimes, ankle pain can be from less common conditions that are harder to diagnose. If you have ankle pain that doesn't go away, you can use our free AI symptom checker to help identify potential causes, or talk to a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis.

(References)

Choudhary S, & McNally E. (2011). Review of common and unusual causes of lateral ankle pain. Skeletal radiology, 20972871.
How CH, & Tan KJ. (2014). Doctor, I sprained my ankle. Singapore medical journal, 25631892.
Abd-Rasid AF, & Bajuri MY. (2020). Commonly Missed Diagnosis of Lateral Ankle Pain: A Case .... Malaysian orthopaedic journal, 32983388.

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