What can I do for pain caused by ankle surgery 30 years ago?

National Academy of Sports Medicine

Joint pain years after receiving a surgical intervention may not have anything to do with the original surgery. You may find that it has more to do with degenerative processes as the years have passed. Chronic pain can be caused by osteophytes or degenerative joint disease (DJD) and needs specific diagnosis and recommendations for treatment by a physician. It may be that you can reduce the amount of pain and discomfort through proper flexibility and resistance exercise overseen by a physician and implemented by a certified health and fitness professional.

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What's your body trying to tell you?

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Pain

Pain is your body telling you that you have hurt it. This is a good thing, important when you are injured. It can also help diagnose problems with your body. Sometimes pain continues long after it's necessary. Amputees report phantom pain in the legs or arms they no longer have. There are different kinds of pain, and describing the type is useful in diagnosis: recurring, constant, steady, knife-like, radiating, sharp, dull. Medicines that dull pain are analgesics. Those that kill all feeling are anesthetics.

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