Ankle arthritis is sneaky. It doesn’t always shout for attention. While most people expect pain, swelling, and stiffness, there’s much more to the story. As the cartilage in your ankle joint breaks down and the bones start rubbing together, other symptoms sneak in, surprising even those who’ve lived with arthritis for years.

Dr. Selene Parekh, a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon, highlights five symptoms of ankle arthritis that you might not recognize right away—and that could be throwing you off track.

1. An Unsettling Sense of Instability

Ankle arthritis doesn’t just hurt; it disrupts your balance, too. The first time it hits, it’s unsettling. You’re walking, and suddenly, it feels like the ground might swallow you whole, or your foot might give way under your weight. It doesn’t happen with every step, but when it does, it’s enough to make you hesitate. You might try to adjust your gait, walk more cautiously, or avoid certain movements altogether. What you’re experiencing is weakness, and it’s one of the more surprising signs of arthritis creeping into your life.

2. Delayed Pain

Imagine this: You go for a walk, a light jog, or even just a day at work. You feel fine. Nothing alarming. But then, hours later—bam!—the pain sets in. It's delayed, and it hits you like a truck. You’re left with aching, throbbing discomfort in your ankle, catching you completely off guard. This is not the usual “pain while moving” scenario. No, this is the type of pain that decides to show up fashionably late, after your day is almost done. It can feel as if your ankle’s been silently plotting its revenge. Many don’t realize this delayed onset of pain is often a sign of arthritis getting worse.

3. The Pain Spreads

At first, arthritis may seem confined to the ankle joint itself. But as the condition progresses, the pain can radiate outward. Suddenly, it’s not just the ankle that hurts. The discomfort travels up into the lower leg, creeping along the shin, or even down into the foot. This isn’t just a stiff joint—it’s a cascade of tension, inflammation, and discomfort. It’s easy to misinterpret this as something else entirely—perhaps tendonitis, muscle strain, or nerve compression. But in reality, it’s your arthritis calling the shots from multiple locations, stretching its influence across your body.

4. Your Range of Motion Slowly Slips Away

At first, it’s subtle. But then the tightness becomes something more. You notice that you can’t move your ankle as easily as before. Bending, flexing, and pointing your toes—these simple actions feel more difficult with every passing day. You may not even realize this loss of range until you try to do something as simple as getting in the car or walking up a flight of stairs, and your ankle just won’t cooperate. This creeping restriction in movement is often dismissed or ignored, but it’s one of the most insidious signs of arthritis.

5. Your Walk Changes

This one’s a quiet saboteur. You might start walking differently, but you don’t even realize it’s happening. Little by little, your gait shifts to compensate for the pain and weakness in your ankle. And soon, your knees, hips, and lower back begin to feel the strain of that altered walking pattern. What began as a small change can end up causing a domino effect throughout your body. And that’s why this particular symptom often goes unnoticed until it’s too late.

Early intervention is key to maintaining your mobility and quality of life. Don’t let arthritis silently take control. Contact Dr. Parekh today, and take the first step toward reclaiming your ankle health before it’s too late.