by Kelly
(New York)
My right ankle is tender to the touch (on the top-right side) and only hurts when I am sitting or lying down. It does not hurt at all when I am standing or walking. I first noticed the pain after playing 18 holes of golf. I normally walk 9 holes on a fairly flat course. On this day, I played 18 holes and drove a cart on a very hilly course. I had walked 9 holes on this course 2 weeks previously with no ill effects. I have taken acetaminophen previously for muscle/joint aches with great success, but the acetaminophen has not done anything to lessen the pain/discomfort I feel when sitting or lying down. I have tried elevating my foot, but this does not cause any pain relief. Any suggestions?
Hi Kelly,
If I understand correctly the area that is hurting you, it sounds like your lateral ankle ligaments. It surprises me that it only hurts at rest and not while walking.
I do not know your age or weight or overal health, but one question I have is there any discoloration or anything else unusual in the skin in that particular area? Usually when patients have pain in that area at rest it from the pressure of the bed directly on the area due to a circulatory issue.
Assuming the skin appears normal, I would then go back to a ligament problem.
If you see a connection between athletic activity and then the onset of discomfort, I would try some kind of ankle stabilization device to support the ankle while golfing.
If that does not seem to help, then a visit to a podiatrist would be appropriate.
Marc Mitnick DPM
Click here to read the rest of this article from Foot Pain Explained
