Best Shoes for Ankle Pain
Ankles are amazing. They allow your feet to move up and down and side to side, and help you keep your balance so you can stand, run, and jump.
With everything our ankles do, it’s no wonder they take a beating. In fact, ankle injuries are one of the most common lower body injuries in the US. If you or a loved one suffers from ankle pain or instability due to an injury or chronic condition, then you know how important it is to have the right kind of footwear support.
Shoes designed with your ankles in mind can help ease pain and provide the support you need to help keep you moving and reduce your risk of injury.
Ankle pain is any discomfort or soreness felt in any of the tendons, ligaments, or bones of the ankle joint. Ankle pain has many causes and can happen for many varied reasons.
If you are experiencing ankle pain, you may feel pain, stiffness, or swelling anywhere in or around the ankle joint. Depending upon the severity of your pain, you may not be able to bear weight or walk without crutches.
Knowing the cause of your ankle pain can help you know the best possible way to treat your symptoms. Choosing the best shoes for ankle pain will help your feet and ankles get the support they need, all while easing your painful symptoms.
In addition, improving ankle mobility and strength can help alleviate ankle pain, and foot circle exercises are a great way to achieve this. To learn how to perform these exercises and incorporate them into your daily routine, check out the video below. With the right shoes and regular exercise, you can effectively manage your ankle pain and improve your overall foot health.
Learn more about the causes of ankle pain and symptoms you can expect, as well as takeaways to help you determine the best treatment option.
There are many different causes of ankle pain. The most common causes are ankle injuries, arthritis, tendonitis, and normal wear and tear.
Knowing the causes and risk factors can help you better understand how to prevent and treat ankle pain.
Common Causes of Ankle Pain:
• Achilles tendonitis or tendon rupture
• Arthritis
• Ankle sprain
• Broken bones in feet
• Flat feet
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Peroneal Tendonitis
• Stress fractures
Common Risk Factors of Ankle Pain:
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Exercising Too Much, Too FastThere’s a reason experts recommend starting slow when you begin a new exercise program. Attempting advanced workouts as a beginner puts you at a higher risk of an ankle sprain or injury.Exercising Too Much, Too Fast
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Muscle and Ligament FatigueAnkle injuries are much more common when you are tired. As you near the end of your workout, your muscles and ligaments are tired. Listen to your body. You might need to pause for a quick rest instead of pushing through.Muscle and Ligament Fatigue
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Skipping the WarmupA gentle warmup before working out does wonders for your muscles and ligaments. Even just a few minutes of dynamic stretching or walking helps prevent injury by warming up your body, helping to relieve tightness and increasing flexibility.Skipping the Warmup
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WeightCarrying excess body weight can put added stress on your joints, increasing your risk of injury.Weight
Symptoms & Diagnosis
As with any medical condition, it is always best to make an appointment with your doctor to get a formal assessment and diagnosis of ankle pain.
That said, there are a few common symptoms people experience when suffering from ankle pain that might help you know when it’s time to visit the doctor:
- Pain in the ankle joint
- Swelling and bruising in the ankle and/or foot
- Ankle instability
- Stiffness
- Weakness
- Numbness or tingling
- Pain when bearing weight/inability to bear weight
For a few tips on conservative treatments you can try at home, check out our Ankle Pain Treatment section below.
Facts and Stats
We take a look at some facts and stats you might not have known about ankle pain. Read on to find out more!
- More than one million people visit the emergency room each year because of ankle injuries.
- Ankle sprains are the most common ankle injury. Every day in the United States, 25,000 people sprain their ankle.
- When it comes to ankle sprains, your age and gender play a role. Females over the age of 30 are more prone to ankle injuries than their male counterparts, while males between 15–24 are more prone to ankle injuries than their female counterparts.
- The best way to prevent ankle injury or pain is to maintain strength, balance, and flexibility in the legs, feet, and ankles.
If you are looking for ankle pain treatment, we’re here to help! We’ll cover treatment options and provide shoe recommendations for ankle pain relief.
The causes of ankle pain vary, and there are many different treatment options that may help ease ankle pain and discomfort. As always, talk with your doctor about the best possible treatment options for you.
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Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (RICE)In many cases, pain caused by injury can be treated with conservative, self care. Simple measures such as keeping weight off the ankle, icing the painful area for 10–15 minutes three times a day, using a compression bandage to prevent swelling, and elevating the ankle above the heart can help ease your ankle pain.Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (RICE)
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Over-the-Counter MedicationsNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help relieve ankle pain and help reduce swelling and inflammation.Over-the-Counter Medications
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Ankle StabilizationAn ankle brace can help stabilize your foot and ankle, relieve pain, and help prevent further injury.Ankle Stabilization
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Physical TheraphyNo matter the cause of your ankle pain, a customized physical therapy plan may help reduce your ankle pain by strengthening the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your lower leg and ankle.Physical Theraphy
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Steroid InjectionsIf needed, your doctor can inject anti-inflammatory medication directly into the ankle joint to help reduce pain.Steroid Injections
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SurgeryFor some, surgical intervention is a good option for treating ankle pain by repairing torn ligaments or tendons.Surgery
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Supportive ShoesWhether you are an athlete or not, you need to choose shoes that will give your feet and ankles the support they need. Avoid shoes without arch support and shoes that are too tight or put the foot in an unnatural position, such as high heels.Supportive Shoes
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Can shoes cause ankle pain?
Yes! Ill-fitting shoes (shoes that are too loose, too tight, or not supportive) can cause pain in the feet and ankles.
When shoes don’t give your feet the support they need or force your foot into an unnatural or uncomfortable position, it puts added stress on the bones, ligaments and tendons in both the ankles and feet. If you find that your shoes aggravate your ankle pain, it might be time to find a shoe that gives your ankles the support they need.
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What are the best shoes for ankle pain?
When it comes to supportive shoes, sometimes we think the more cushion the better. However, too much cushion without enough support puts even more stress on the bones, ligaments and tendons in your ankle joint.
For the best ankle support, choose a shoe with a supportive insole that has adequate arch support. This will keep your foot and ankle in the most natural position and prevent your ankle from over pronation (rolling inward more than it should) or under pronation (rolling outward more than it should). For back of ankle pain, shoes without a back can help that area heal without added pressure.
KURU has created some of the most comfortable shoes for ankle pain with increased support in the arch and heel to give you the most support and comfort possible.
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What are the best shoes for peroneal tendonitis?
Peroneal tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon that runs along the outside of the ankle and foot. The best shoes for peroneal tendonitis have plenty of cushion and good arch support along with a supportive heel cup to give total heel and ankle support without restricting movement.
KURU footwear is a smart choice for this condition, which includes our KURUCLOUD midsole. Made of lightweight EVA foam to absorb shock and diffuse the impact of each step, this foundation provides long-lasting comfort for all-day wear even when standing for prolonged periods or walking on hard surfaces.
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What is posterior tibial tendonitis?
Posterior tibial tendonitis happens when there is inflammation or tearing in the posterior tibial tendon. The posterior tibial tendon helps support your foot, holding up the arch, as you walk. Inflammation or injury to this tendon may lead to flat feet, as the tendon is no longer able to support the arch of the foot.
The best shoes for posterior tibial tendonitis have a stiff sole that helps give the bottoms of your feet a rest and provide relief from painful symptoms.
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The Difference Between Over and Under Pronation -
Foot Exercise for a Stronger Foundation -
Stress Fractures: What Causes Them, How Can I Treat Them?
At KURU, we pride ourselves on our unique approach to shoe design. We believe that shoes should be shaped to fit the natural contours of your feet, which is why we create every pair in three distinct support layers, not just an insole.
Our revolutionary ergonomic design starts with a curved footbed and adds unparalleled triple-layer support that includes shock-absorbing KURUCLOUD, heel-cupping KURUSOLE, and arch-supporting ULTIMATE INSOLES. The result? Shoes that are so comfortable you’ll stop thinking about your feet.
KURUSOLE
Our patented KURUSOLE protects and stabilizes the heel and provides dynamic flexion with each step. This plate extends from the arch to …Show More
Our patented KURUSOLE protects and stabilizes the heel and provides dynamic flexion with each step. This plate extends from the arch to wrap around the heel—but not under it—to support and leverage your heel’s natural cushioning system: the fat pad.
…Show lessKURUCLOUD
KURUCLOUD, is made of lightweight EVA foam to absorb shock and diffuse the impact of each step. This heavenly foundation provides …Show More
KURUCLOUD, is made of lightweight EVA foam to absorb shock and diffuse the impact of each step. This heavenly foundation provides long-lasting comfort for all-day wear even when standing for long periods or walking on hard surfaces. Ankle joints rejoice!
…Show lessULTIMATE INSOLE
Made of 5mm of durable, polyurethane foam, our ULTIMATE INSOLES last longer than traditional thin inserts. This dual-density foam supports and adapts to …Show More
Made of 5mm of durable, polyurethane foam, our ULTIMATE INSOLES last longer than traditional thin inserts. This dual-density foam supports and adapts to your arch over time to provide powerful bounce back and personalized relief from ankle pain.
…Show less
KURUSOLE
Our patented KURUSOLE protects and stabilizes the heel and provides dynamic flexion with each step. This plate extends from the arch to wrap around the heel—but not under it—to support and leverage your heel’s natural cushioning system: the fat pad.
Fine, We’ll Tell You Our Secret
What makes KURU different? Every KURU shoe comes with built-in patented KURUSOLE tech—a foot health game changer.
While other shoes are flat on the inside, KURUSOLE is shaped like your foot to hug and prevent fatigue and pain.
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