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What are the causes of morning ankle pain and stiffness?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

My wife has pain in and around the ankle on both feet after waking up in the morning. She gets some relief after having a walk for a few steps within half an hour. She has a small lump-like swelling on the anterior side of the ankle. It started a year back with mild symptoms. But at present, it is getting worse day by day. If she sits for a long time, the pain recurs several times.

Please suggest.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Nupoor Acharya

Education:

DM

Professional Bio:

Dr. Nupoor Acharya is a skilled Rheumatologist. She specializes in diagnosing and managing autoimmune and musculoskeletal disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, vasculitis, and gout. With her expertise in clinical evaluation and advanced therapies, she focuses on improving patients’ joint function, pain management, and overall quality of life.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Your wife has symptoms of inflammatory arthritis. Ankle arthritis is seen in different conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathy, sarcoidosis, and Poncet's disease.

Please mention whether she has other symptoms such as pain in the small joints of the hands, backache, hip pain, fever, weight loss, and cough. A thorough history helps us to have a definitive diagnosis. I would suggest to her some investigations, such as the following:

  1. X-ray of both feet and chest.
  2. ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate).
  3. CRP (C-reactive protein),
  4. CBC (complete blood count),
  5. AST (aspartate transaminase),
  6. ALT (alanine transaminase).
  7. KFT (kidney function tests).

These are some basic investigations that need to be done. She needs to do some specific tests to confirm the diagnosis. For symptomatic relief, she can take a tablet of Naproxen 500 mg or Etoshine 60 mg (Etoricoxib).

I hope this helps you.

Thank you

Medically reviewed by Dr. Sneha Kannan
Published At September 30, 2020
Reviewed At June 2, 2026

Education:

DM

Professional Bio:

Dr. Nupoor Acharya is a skilled Rheumatologist. She specializes in diagnosing and managing autoimmune and musculoskeletal disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, vasculitis, and gout. With her expertise in clinical evaluation and advanced therapies, she focuses on improving patients’ joint function, pain management, and overall quality of life.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sneha Kannan is a skilled Dental Surgeon with expertise in providing general dental care, including scaling, fillings, and preventive treatments. She does oral surgery procedures such as extractions and minor surgical interventions. She does procedures in restorative dentistry, including crowns, bridges, and dentures. She is an expert in doing endodontic treatments such as root canal therapy. She is well-versed in doing procedures in cosmetic dentistry, including teeth whitening and smile correction. She can provide pediatric dental care for children’s oral health and preventive treatments. She promotes oral hygiene awareness and preventive dental practices.  

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

DM

Professional Bio:

Dr. Nupoor Acharya is a skilled Rheumatologist. She specializes in diagnosing and managing autoimmune and musculoskeletal disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, vasculitis, and gout. With her expertise in clinical evaluation and advanced therapies, she focuses on improving patients’ joint function, pain management, and overall quality of life.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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