My ankle hurts! - Beginners

Country Bumpkin

14/08/2003 at 11:08

The back of my ankle has been quite painful in the last couple of days, and seems to be getting worse. I do stretches after a run, but don't know if I'm doing the right ones to help this problem. Any ideas?

Batgirl

14/08/2003 at 12:05

Is it your achilles tendon that is hurting? I'm no expert but having had achilles tendonitus I would say REST REST and more REST! As well as the usual ice packs and so on.

Country Bumpkin

14/08/2003 at 12:10

It could well be, if it is what would have been the cause, too much running?

Lil' Roo

14/08/2003 at 12:37

When I first started running I got terrible pains in my knees and ankles despite stretching and good warm ups. The problem appeared to lie in my old cross training trainers not minimising the impact on my joints. A new running pair, with extra cushioning and a pair of x socks have done the trick and I have been ploding pain free ever since.

Country Bumpkin

14/08/2003 at 12:41

Lil, did you stop running when suffering from the pains. I don't want to give up something I'm enjoying. My trainers may need replacing, but they're not particularly old and were recommended by a speacialist shop, who watched the way I ran to inform their decision.

How long is the marathon course?

14/08/2003 at 12:44

I think stretching is also very important, before and after training.
I sought help from a fitness instructor in my gym about how to stretch properly. I would advice you to get some advice from some suitably qualified.
Like Lil' Roo, suggested the problem may also lay in what trainers you are running in. Again, seek expert advice.

Hope the problem clears up quickly for u.

Lil' Roo

14/08/2003 at 12:50

Bumpkin, like NY says get specialist advice. I din't run when I was suffering from the pains, I temporarily gave up and swam instead because I was concerned about doing some permenant damage. Specialist advice should be able to pinpoint your problem.

All the best!

Country Bumpkin

14/08/2003 at 12:57

Thanks Everyone, I'll book an appointment now.

Dangly Spice

14/08/2003 at 13:07

Have a look at your trainers - could be that they are a bit high at the back of your ankle and dig into the achilles tendon when you run.
What sort are you running in? Are you wearing socks that may also be pressing into your ankle from the pressure of the shoes?

Country Bumpkin

14/08/2003 at 13:20

I've got a pair of Asics Gel Durango, I've not noticed any problems until now. Maybe just time to get a replacement.

Andy Hobbs

14/08/2003 at 13:23

Do you wake up feeling very tight in the achilles area ? and find yourself walking like an old man/woman ?
Do you take steps (going down) one at a time because of the discomfort ?
If so, almost certainly achilles. DO NOT RUN ON THEM if it is, as you will definitely make things worse and end up being off for much longer.
Get them checked by a doctor/physio asap, then take their advice to sort the problem out.

pinkfelina

19/08/2003 at 18:21

Have a similar problem to yours. Started running about 5 months ago and am hoping to run my first half marathon in 5 weeks time.About a week ago the pain in my left ankle started and was diagnosed as achilles tendonitis. Have had a few rest days and managed 4 miles last night. I am hoping to slowly increase my mileage but am obviously feeling pressured by the impending race. I can't say I'm painfree when running but wearing heel-pads ( from the physio) and an ankle support have helped.
I just really hope I will overcome this to run in 5 weeks.

Country Bumpkin

20/08/2003 at 12:22

Good Luck with that pink, and don't do too much! I've been resting and thought it might have been ok, but the pain started again. I've got an appointment with a physio in a few weeks though.

pinkfelina

21/08/2003 at 08:05

Bad luck bumpkin,
let's hope you get it sorted soon. I managed 5 miles last night which I am really pleased about. Am now going to take a couple of rest days and will try for 7-8 on saturday.
The advice from my physio ( might help):
Stop running as soon as the pain is more than a 2 ( on a scale of 1-10); have more rest days ( I was only having one rest day a week), achilles stretches!! and try wearing heel pads ( which I didn't last night and it was my first almost painfree run!). I have also started to cross-train ( swimming).
Hope this helps. Sounds so depressing when you read through the forums and some people have suffered for months>

FAJ

21/08/2003 at 09:18

Hello, Country Bumpkin

I sympathise cos I have dodgy achilles too with plantar faciitis in my left foot. It was brought on by a change in my training - I'd introduced more hills and speed work. I saw a podiatrist last week who told me that the problems stem from my tight calfs which are restricting my dorsa flexion (ie, bending my ankle upwards). I've been given a load of stretches to do and should see an improvement in 2-4 weeks. Heel pads are a good idea too cos they give you a few mm of extra lift. To give you a wee bit of positivity, I've been doing my stretches for a week now and I do feel a reduction in pain and my left foot isn't as hobbly as it used to be.

Hope you get better soon!

pinkfelina

21/08/2003 at 10:28

Hi again, forgot to mention that my physio also advised avoiding hills ( not easy around here)but worth a try.
Good luck

Darren Bailey

12/10/2004 at 14:30

I wonder if anyone can help me. I have a pain in my ankle/achilles area, which hurts when I point my toes rather than when I pull them back so I don't think it is an achilles problem. When I point my toes, it hurts the achilles tendon as it is compressed and in the soft bit between the achilles tendon and the ankle bone.

any ideas what this could be and how I can treat it?

Joolz

12/10/2004 at 14:34

Excuse the fact I'm not technically minded, but there's something like a tendon that runs from your toes to your heels (told you I'm not technical) which might be causing you pain. A good stretch is to sit with bare feet on the floor & try to raise your toes & heel at same time. Best to do several times like any stretch.

It'll hurt at first but as it strengthens n lengthens the pain in your heel should go.

it's worth a try.

Jules

Darren Bailey

12/10/2004 at 14:46

Thanks for the reply. If I sit on the floor with my legs out straight, I can pull my toes back OK without pain, but when I point them away, it hurts in the back of my ankle, and also I can't point the bad foot as far as the good one.

Any other ideas anyone?

Howler

17/05/2005 at 20:09

Good question Darren, I suspect you have something similar to me. I too have pain on pointing my toes but deeper into the back of ankle than achilles. Pain is particularly bad if I point toes and push the base of my heel into the joint. I'm undergoing sports massage to loosen my calf muscles and physio to resolve the problem(laser/infrared and acupuncture). Nothing seems to be working though. The physio thinks it's a compressed bursor in my ankle but does anyone else have any ideas??