Experiencing ankle pain at night when you’re trying to sleep can be frustrating. Persistent ankle pain can keep you awake and prevent you from getting the rest you need. If your ankle pain continues to persist into the day, it can make your daily routine more challenging. You may have trouble with weight-bearing activities like walking or running. Sometimes ankle pain goes away on its own; in many cases, however, it persists until it’s treated. Your pain may even worsen without professional attention, which can make intervention essential.

The cause of ankle pain at night isn’t always obvious. Your pain may be especially concerning if you’re not sure why it’s occurring. Understanding the cause of your ankle pain can be the first step toward finding a good solution. If you don’t know why you’re experiencing ankle pain, seeking physical therapy is an excellent option. Your physical therapist will thoroughly evaluate your condition to identify the source of your pain. This can allow them to provide effective, targeted treatment.

What’s causing your ankle pain at night?

Are you unsure what’s causing your ankle pain at night? You may be able to get a better understanding of your condition by learning about some of the possibilities. Here are some potential explanations for your ankle pain:

• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is a kind of overuse injury. When your tendons are subjected to repetitive stress and pressure, they can become inflamed. This tendon inflammation is called tendinitis. Tendinitis can develop in tendons throughout the body, including the ankle. The most common form of ankle tendinitis is called peroneal tendinitis. Peroneal tendinitis affects the peroneal tendon, which runs along the outside of the ankle and foot. When this tendon becomes inflamed, you may experience persistent ankle pain that worsens at night. This is because tendons can stiffen when inactive. When you’re resting and your legs are inactive for several hours, your ankle tendons may become more stiff and painful. If you’re experiencing the symptoms of tendinitis, physical therapy can be crucial to finding relief.
• Ankle sprain — A sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched too far or torn. Ankle sprains typically occur due to a sudden jerking or twisting motion. After spraining your ankle, you may immediately start to experience sharp pain and swelling. Later, other symptoms such as bruising and tenderness will likely develop. Depending on the severity of your sprain, medical treatment may be necessary. Rest is also important. Your recovery time after an ankle sprain will vary depending on the nature of your injury. Ankle sprains are categorized into three grades. Grade 1 and 2 sprains can take one to six weeks to heal. The most severe sprains, however, may take much longer. According to Harvard Health Publishing, a Grade 3 ankle sprain can require several months of recovery. Physical therapy treatments can be key to reducing your pain and accelerating your recovery timeline.
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome — Do you experience a tingling pain or numbness in your ankle at night? The cause could be tarsal tunnel syndrome. Similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, tarsal tunnel syndrome is a kind of nerve compression. Where carpal tunnel syndrome affects the median nerve running into the wrist, tarsal tunnel syndrome affects the tibial nerve running into the foot. The tibial nerve, which is a branch of the much larger sciatic nerve, runs down the lower leg. The tarsal tunnel is a passage that allows the tibial nerve to pass through the ankle. When this passage becomes swollen or compressed, it can pinch the tibial nerve. This can lead to symptoms such as numbness, tingling and burning pain. You may also feel like your control over your foot is more limited. The pressure on your tibial nerve can increase when you’re in a sleeping position, which may lead to increased ankle pain at night.
• Flatfoot — Do the arches of your feet fall flat when you put weight on your feet? If so, you may have flatfoot, a condition also known as fallen or collapsed arches. Flatfoot may affect more than a quarter of the population, according to the findings of one study. It can be a congenital condition or one acquired later in life. Flatfoot can lead to gait changes and change your weight distribution, potentially putting excess pressure on your feet and ankles. This can lead to persistent pain in your lower legs. The strain on your ankles may start to be particularly noticeable when you try to rest. Fortunately, the symptoms of flatfoot can be managed. Through techniques like posture and gait training, your physical therapist can help you avoid further ankle pain.
• Arthritis — Are you experiencing persistent pain and stiffness around your ankle joint? The cause could be arthritis. Arthritis is a kind of chronic condition characterized by joint inflammation. There are multiple forms of arthritis, with the two most common being rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Both can affect the ankle joint. Though arthritis has no known cure, its symptoms can be addressed through physical therapy.

How physical therapy can address ankle pain at night while resting

Ankle pain at night can be hard to manage, especially when you’re trying to get much-needed rest. Fortunately, physical therapy may be able to help. Here are some strategies your physical therapist may use to address your ankle pain:

• Stretching exercises — Stretches are a great way to reduce painful tension in your ankle. Your physical therapist can help you practice stretches that target your particular condition. If your ankle pain is caused by tendinitis, for example, you may benefit from stretches that loosen the soft tissue around your peroneal tendon. Physical therapy stretches for ankle pain may engage your calves, heels and toes as well as your ankles. With the right stretches, you can improve your ankle mobility and keep your pain from worsening at night.
• Strengthening exercises — Ankle pain can be caused by muscle imbalances or a lack of support. When the joints and muscles in your ankle aren’t adequately supported, they may bear excess weight and pressure. By improving your ankle support, you may be able to reduce your discomfort and reduce the risk of future ankle pain. Targeted physical therapy exercises can help you build strength in the muscles that support the structures in your ankle. Your physical therapist may recommend exercises like calf raises, ankle circles and various resistance band exercises.
• Specialized modalities — Physical therapists incorporate a range of specialized modalities into treatment. This helps ensure that your care is as comprehensive as possible. Modalities like electrical stimulation and ultrasound therapy use innovative technology to deliver pain relief. Each treatment has its own strengths. Electrical stimulation works by disrupting the body’s pain signals, allowing you to experience rapid relief. This solution can also reduce stress in muscles and other soft tissue. Ultrasound therapy works by generating heat deep in your tissue. This heat helps relax tight tissue, which can eliminate tension and reduce pain. These treatment methods may be integrated into your treatment plan, depending on your particular condition. Your physical therapist will tailor your treatment to your personal needs and goals.

Lattimore Physical Therapy can help you find relief from your nighttime ankle pain

Are you ready to address your ankle pain? Lattimore Physical Therapy can help treat your painful condition. Whether your ankle pain is caused by tendinitis or nerve compression, our expert team is equipped to offer effective, evidence-based treatment. With our help, you can get relief and start sleeping with less pain.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.