What Can Cause Ankle Pain Without Injury?

Many times, pain in the ankle is caused by an injury – primarily if you work a physically demanding job. But if your ankle has not been injured, why is it hurting? There are a few things that can cause ankle pain without an injury. Many of these problems can be caused by overuse of the ankle at work. Sometimes these problems can cause temporary or even permanent disability.

• Achilles tendonitis or tendinosis: These foot problems are considered overuse disorders. Achilles tendonitis and tendinosis usually occur when people do activities using the Achilles tendons too much. This leads to pain in the ankles. Laborers are especially at risk for these disorders because they are on their feet so much.
• Bursitis: When sacs in your ankle become inflamed, it can lead to bursitis. In your ankle, the bursae are small sacs of fluid that cushion your ankle joint. When the bursae become inflamed, the muscles, tendons, and bones in your ankle are not cushioned as well. Bursitis is usually caused by excessive use of the joint.
• Osteoarthritis: This is a type of arthritis that is caused by your cartilage wearing down over time. This can also happen because of repeated stress to the ankle. While osteoarthritis can’t be reversed, you can slow down the disease’s progression by staying healthy.
• Plantar fasciitis: This is another type of inflammation in the ankle joint. The plantar fascia is a band of tissue connecting the toes to the heel bone. When this tissue becomes inflamed, you might experience stabbing pain while walking. This is especially true early in the morning when you are first walking. Usually, the pain is at the bottom of the heel, but it can also cause ankle pain.

People who work in professions that require them to be on their feet for long periods are at a higher risk for developing ankle pain over time. Nurses, warehouse workers, construction workers, cashiers, and movers can all develop ankle problems from the overuse of the joint, which can lead to a workers’ compensation injury.

The good news is, your pain does not have to be caused by an injury for you to be eligible for workers’ comp. If the requirements of your job have caused your ankle to develop an overuse disorder, you can file for workers’ compensation benefits in the state of New York.

Because your employer may deny your claim, you should get your ankle looked at and documented by a doctor. A doctor can determine if your pain is caused by overuse from the requirements at your job.

You can expect it to be harder to file for workers’ compensation claims for an overuse disorder than an injury. This is because problems related to overuse usually develop over time, rather than happening at once. Unlike with an injury, you will not have witnesses to substantiate your workers’ comp claim. Insurance companies may claim that your injury is not “work-related.” Hiring an experienced workers compensation attorney can ensure you receive the benefits you are entitled to.