Ankle pain without swelling can arise from several factors, including overuse and nerve issues.
Several potential reasons can explain why your ankle hurts when you walk, even without any visible swelling:
- Overuse of Calf Muscles: According to the provided reference, if you overuse your calf muscles, you may experience ankle pain with no swelling. This is common among athletes or runners.
- Peripheral Neuropathy: The reference also mentions that damage to the nerves in your ankle or feet (peripheral neuropathy) can lead to pain without swelling.
Here is a table summarizing the possible causes:
| Cause | Explanation | Associated Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Overuse of Calf Muscles | Strain and tension in the calf muscles can refer pain to the ankle. | Athletics, running, repetitive movements |
| Peripheral Neuropathy | Nerve damage causing pain signals even without visible inflammation. | Diabetes, injury, infection |
Therefore, considering the lack of swelling, the pain is more likely due to muscle strain or nerve-related issues than an acute injury like a sprain.
