The back of my ankle hurts when i walk

Even a relatively benign ankle injury can be quite painful, at least at first. It's usually safe to try home remedies for a while.

Table of Contents Show

Seek immediate medical attention if you:
Schedule an office visit if you:
From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
Three conditions that commonly cause pain in the back of the ankle above the heel
Treatment for pain in the back of the ankle above the heel
Advent Physical Therapy can help with pain in the back of your ankle above the heel
Why does the back of my ankle hurt when I walk?
How do you treat back of ankle pain?
What causes pain at the back of your ankle?
What do you do when your ankle hurts when you walk?

Seek immediate medical attention if you:

Have severe pain or swelling
Have an open wound or severe deformity
Have signs of infection, such as redness, warmth and tenderness in the affected area or a fever greater than 100 F (37.8 C)
Cannot put weight on your foot

Schedule an office visit if you:

Have persistent swelling that doesn't improve after two to five days of home treatment
Have persistent pain that doesn't improve after several weeks

Self-care

For many ankle injuries, self-care measures ease the pain. Examples include:

Rest. Keep weight off your ankle as much as possible. Take a break from your normal activities.
Ice. Place an ice pack or bag of frozen peas on your ankle for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day.
Compression. Use a compression bandage to reduce swelling.
Elevation. Elevate your foot above the level of your heart to help reduce swelling.
Over-the-counter pain medications. Drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) can ease pain and aid healing.

Even with the best of care, you may have some ankle swelling, stiffness or pain, particularly first thing in the morning or after you've been active, for several weeks.

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March 13, 2021

Arthritis and diseases that affect the ankle. Arthritis Foundation. http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/where-it-hurts/ankle-pain/. Accessed Dec. 15, 2015.
Maughan KL. Ankle sprain. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Dec. 15, 2015.
Chorley J, et al. Ankle pain in the active child or skeletally immature adolescent: Overview of causes. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Dec. 15, 2015.
Draper TR. Non-Achilles ankle tendinopathy. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Dec. 15, 2015.
Overview of foot and ankle disorders. Merck Manual Professional Version. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/musculoskeletal-and-connective-tissue-disorders/foot-and-ankle-disorders/overview-of-foot-and-ankle-disorders. Accessed Dec. 15, 2015.

Occasional soreness and tightness in the ankles can occur after physical activity, but ongoing and intense ankle pain are the signs of something more serious. Pain in the back of your ankle above the heel might not be normal if the pain is persistent and accompanied by other symptoms like swelling, sensitivity, grinding and clicking.

Take a look at the following conditions to become familiar with what might be causing pain in the back of your ankle above the heel, and find out what you can do to treat this pain.

Three conditions that commonly cause pain in the back of the ankle above the heel

Achilles tendinitis — The Achilles tendon is the large tendon in the back of your heel that runs from the heel bone to your calf muscles. Overloading the ankle joint can put a high amount of pressure on this tendon, which leads to a painful inflammation of the tendon known as Achilles tendinitis.
Bursitis — The bursae are fluid sacs located between the tendons and muscles and the bones of your joints. Overexertion of the joint in physical activity can cause the bursae to become inflamed, which is a condition known as bursitis. Bursitis can occur in the back of the heel above your ankle since there are bursae located in that area.
Arthritis — Long-lasting pain, stiffness and a grinding sensation in the back of the ankle above the heel are likely connected to arthritis. With this condition, the cartilage in your ankle joint has been worn down, resulting in the bones of your ankle rubbing against one another with no cushioning.

Treatment for pain in the back of the ankle above the heel

Treatments for ankle pain vary depending on the cause and severity of your condition. With each of the three conditions outlined here, physical therapy is almost always a viable treatment option.

Physical therapists can use a variety of techniques to help reduce your ankle pain, improve your range of motion and prevent future pain. If you visit a physical therapist at Advent Physical Therapy, we’ll customize your treatment to your personal needs using methods like:

Therapeutic exercise
Stretches
Joint mobilization
Soft tissue mobilization
Posture guidance and more

Advent Physical Therapy can help with pain in the back of your ankle above the heel

Are you tired of pain in the back of your ankle above the heel keeping you off your feet? Our physical therapists at Advent Physical Therapy are ready to assist you in your recovery. Contact our team today for more information about treating pain in the back of your ankle above the heel or to schedule an initial appointment.

Why does the back of my ankle hurt when I walk?

The most common causes include injury, arthritis and normal wear and tear. Depending on the cause, you may feel pain or stiffness anywhere around the ankle. Your ankle may also swell, and you may not be able to put any weight on it. Usually, ankle pain gets better with rest, ice and over-the-counter pain medications.