Hi onlyme... I am really glad that you could find out the reason for your ankle pain.

I also have arthritis in my ankle as well as degenerative disc disease type in my neck and spine as well as all my joints.

I find that for one specific area like the ankle, when flares up really bad, heat and cold on and off, switching. Important with the ankles and feet if you have any diabetic neuroapaty or neurapathy in your feet or ankles the heat can be too hot if loss of sensation has occurred, so be sure the heat is not too hot by testing the temp. somewhere else on your body. When using cold or ice, it is important to have a towel or cloth between the cold pack and the skin to prevent like frostbite or such.

The Al eve, Motrin, and other OTC anti-inflammatory agents can be great benefit to arthritis, however read the warnings of the NSAI agents on the labels for conditions which it can interfere with first or ask your MD or Pharmacist, sometimes the NSAI agents can really do a number on your stomach, blood pressure, and cause edema or holding water in your lower extremities, thus possibly causing additional swelling of the ankle and feet.

I also have Plantar Fasciitis and do you wear any sort of custom made orthotic insoles in your shoes?
To help add support and stability to your feet and ankles?

I had to go to a specialist for my feet and he prescribed the orthotic insoles which are great as I now have artificial arches where there are now none and it helps with my pain and gain in both my feet and ankles. I like them as they can be taken out of each pair of shoes and even wear them in my house shoes.

sorry for the long post just can identify with foot and ankle problems.