Ankle pain can affect balance, mobility, and overall quality of life — and according to Diane Carroll, orthopedic physical therapist at the Hospital for Special Surgery at Naples Comprehensive Health, the key to addressing it lies in understanding where the pain originates.
Carroll explains that most ankle pain stems from issues with stability, arch control, or power, and each has a distinct pattern:
- Inside ankle pain often relates to arch problems.
- Outside ankle pain typically signals weak stabilizing muscles.
- Pain at the back of the ankle points to tightness or overuse of the Achilles tendon — the body’s main “power” muscle.
To help patients manage symptoms, Carroll recommends simple, at-home exercises that target each cause: arch-lifting movements to support the inner ankle, balance exercises for outer ankle stability, and calf stretches to relieve Achilles tension.
Through HSS at NCH, Carroll and her colleagues provide specialized care for foot and ankle issues, helping patients restore strength, mobility, and confidence.
Read the full article from Fit&Well here: These are the three most common types of ankle pain and the exercises that can help, according to a physical therapist | Fit&Well