My younger daughter is a dancer. And she is growing. So lots of possible explanations for her ankle pain. But also, she was diagnosed with Lyme last year. . Again I didn't know if her pain was Lyme-related, but her Western Blot was really (CDC) positive . With antibiotics, this ankle problem has greatly improved.

We saw a very esteemed orthopedist in Boston, an expert in dancers. he diagnosed her with "Sever's Disease" last spring, before Lyme treatment, which is growth and activity-related. But we really do think the symptoms are better due to antibiotics.

if the pain comes and goes, or migrates, I think (my opinion) it is more likely connected to Lyme. Also, what other symptoms does she have? Don't ahve to be dramatic. My youngest had the ankle pain, a feeling like an eyelash was in eher eye, some sleep problems, some complaints of tummy pain- that's it.

My other daughter, by the time she was diagnosed, has a list of symptoms and history that's more than one page long! That's because we didn't know enough to test for Lyme early on when she frist had problems with her knee and ankle. So good going, you are thinking about this possibility right away!

Lyme or no Lyme (that's a decision about meds), I have some suggestions from our unfortunately extensive experience.

1) If there is any physical activity that she does a lot, and she is growing, she can have temporary pain problems without injury of any kind. This has to do with bones growing faster than muscles and tendons, so they get tight, then if they are used too much etc. etc. Cut back on the activity if possible, or even stop it temporarily.

2) This is our routine, and is based on what the physical therapist have done: have your child take a warm bath or soak the ankle in warm water, or use a moist heat pad.

Then, get some lotion and massage the feet and ankle. This helps pinpoint the pain and helps ease inflammation. Certain places will sort of "crunch" under your fingers. Concentrate on these places (gently) over a week or more. I think this is scar tissue forming or something, and massage can really help this "crunchiness" in areas of pain.

Then have your child do some exercises, which are easily obtainable online and also can be gotten from PT's. Buy one of those rubbery colored bands people use for ankle exercises. You put it around the foot, at the toes, and flex your ankle while pulling on the band. Sporting goods stores have them. We have tons of exercises with and without the band for all parts of the foot and leg.

Finally, ice! We use bags of frozen peas, one on each side of the ankle. ice fr 10-15 minutes.

Do this routine, now, to help with healing. Later on, after the acute crisis is over w/pain, we now switch into this at the first twinge and avert trouble.

It is always possible that it is this routine, not anitbiotics, that has helped my daughter. So even though she definitely had Lyme, I still can't say for sure what caused her ankle problems. Might be a combination of growth, activity, anatomy and Lyme...we will never know!

I'd check it out.