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Podiatrist in Alexandria and Sterling

Richard G. Lee, DPM
Steven H. Lin, DPM 

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Alexandria, VA Podiatrist
Alexandria Family Podiatry
2843 Duke St
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 823-2357


Sterling, VA Podiatrist
Alexandria Family Podiatry
21495 Ridgetop Circle, Suite 106
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 823-2357

 

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Chronic Lateral Ankle Pain

Alexandria Family Podiatry believes that informed patients are better equipped to make decisions regarding their health and well being. For your personal use, we have created an extensive patient library covering an array of educational topics. Browse through these diagnoses and treatments to learn more about topics of interest to you. Or, for a more comprehensive search of our entire Web site, enter your term(s) in the search bar provided.

As always, you can contact our office to answer any questions or concerns.

Chronic lateral ankle pain is recurring or chronic pain on the outside part of the ankle that often develops after an injury such as a sprained ankle.

Signs and symptoms include:

  • Ankle instability.
  • Difficulty walking on uneven ground or in high heels.
  • Pain, sometimes intense, on the outer side of the ankle.
  • Repeated ankle sprains.
  • Stiffness.
  • Swelling.
  • Tenderness.

Although ankle sprains are the most common cause of chronic lateral ankle pain, other causes may include:

  • A fracture in one of the bones that make up the ankle joint.
  • Arthritis of the ankle joint.
  • Inflammation of the joint lining.
  • Injury to the nerves that pass through the ankle. In this case, the nerves become stretched, torn, injured by a direct blow, or pinched under pressure.
  • Scar tissue in the ankle after a sprain. The scar tissue takes up space in the joint, putting pressure on the ligaments.
  • Torn or inflamed tendon.

Treatments for chronic lateral ankle pain include:

  • Over the counter or prescription anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling. Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications.
  • Physical therapy, including tilt-board exercises that focus on strengthening the muscles, restoring range of motion, and increasing your perception of joint position.
  • Ankle braces or other supports.
  • Steroid medication.
  • Immobilization to allow the bone to heal (in cases of fractures).

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Ask Dr. Lee!Dr. Lee - Podiatrist

Question:  I think I have toenail fungus, but it's only on my big toe and little toe.  Why is this?    

Answer:  Great question! It has to do with tight-fitting shoes and repeated "mini-traumas" to your nail plate.  As you step, your toes repetitively hit the end of your shoes gradually separating the nail plate from the nail bed.  This allows fungus to creep into the nail bed and start growing.  We see fungal nail growth more frequently in a patient's big and little toes because these toes get the most pressure from the sides of tight-fitting shoes and thus they experience mini-traumas more often than the other toes.

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Our Location

Alexandria, VA Podiatrist
Alexandria Family Podiatry
2843 Duke St
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 823-2357

 

Sterling, VA Podiatrist
Alexandria Family Podiatry
21495 Ridgetop Circle, Suite 106
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 823-2357

 

Map & Directions

Office Hours
Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
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