ankle pain - quests

[luvmyfam444]

I have had pain in my ankles (outside only) for years - actually when I ran track (attempted to run -lol) 20yrs ago they hurt. Back then I was given some exercises to strengthen them (pick up towels with toes, etc) and would sit in the hottub & icebath. Someone along the line just called it tendonitis (not sure if that was a dr or just a coach - can't remember)

ANYWAY - I'm back to exercising again (3 days so far) & they were KILLING me the first 2 days. The pain is pretty much exclusively when I exercise (used to hurt when I walked long periods - but not really anymore)

I bought ankle braces (used them years before) and they work - I had a little pain in 1 ankle - but nothing bad enough to stop me (the 1st 2 days I was about in tears)

SOOO is there anything I can do to make the pain better? Is there a shoe I should try? I don't have flat feet - I have an arch & I wear New Balance tennies.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

Only thing that helps me (simlar situation, except I fractured my ankle at age 5) is my active ankle brace. I wore it for about a year or so and then stopped and now can do everything without pain (except when it rains...)

 

[golfgal]

I have a really high arch and I cannot wear New Balance, they make my feet hurt. I would suggest going to an orthopedic dr or a sports medicine clinic and get evaluated. My guess is something biomechanical since the pain you describe isn't a typical spot for an overuse injury. Orthotics might help.

 

[luvmyfam444]

Thanks - I just hate to go to a dr if there's nothing they can do - KWIM?

Yesterday even with the wraps my left one killed me - I was about in tears just like not wearing them

And I'm only doing Jazzercise - not major stuff...

 

[golfgal]

Any chance you have arthritis? I would go into an orthopedic doctor and get it checked out. Do not waste your time with a general practitioner.

 

[bookgirl]

I recently had surgery for my achilles tendinitis. Aleve works better than Advil or Tylenol for OTC relief (Aleve is a stronger anti inflamatory then the others). In fact an aleve and a tramadol (non narcotic pain pill) works if it's really painful but if it's just sore I use just the aleve and get a lot of relief, but if I know I'm going to be on my feet or walking alot I take an aleve before hand and just save myself the trouble.

I was told to put heel lifts in my shoes to help relieve the strain on my tendon. Though I have to watch that I don't get one that is too high as that just allows the tendon to draw up and shorten while I"m sitting.

Ice it every night.

Only do low impact machines or excersise (no treadmill or arobics, more recline bike, eliptical, water arobics)

If it hurts or is tight in the mornings you can also get a dorsisplint or a strausburg sock to wear when you sleep. It keeps your ankle in a neutral or slightly pulled up position while you sleep. It will keep the tendon from shortening up while you sleep and you won't have to stretch it out or risk tearing it when you walk.

 

[pezheadmeg]

Thermacare heat wraps! I pop one on overnight when I get really bad. Usually by the morning the pain is gone.

But I shattered my ankle a few years back. So, with all the hardware--it acts up a lot.

 

[minkydog]

Thanks - I just hate to go to a dr if there's nothing they can do - KWIM?

Yesterday even with the wraps my left one killed me - I was about in tears just like not wearing them

And I'm only doing Jazzercise - not major stuff...

Okay, I just have to say this--take you ankles to an orthopedist. There are things that they can do. It depends on what the problem is. None of us going to tell you it's definitely arthritis(there's treatment for that) or torn tendons (treatment for that too.) An orthopedist will likely take an xray first, then test your mobility, see where the pain is and what worsens it. He'll manipulate your foot until he understands what's going on in there. He may even get an MRI. And then he'll treat it.

I have become all too well informed about ankle and foot injuries. I have always had flat feet and as I get older, they cause more wear & tear on structures of my foot. This year it worsened dramatically. You wanna know what kicked it off? Yoga. I spent several weeks last summer in a cast, followed by a few months of PT, to fix it. Then it reinjured in Dec and at this point, we have tried everything. I have consulted with two different orthos in different towns. Their recommendations: Both say that my ankle is so far gone that only surgery will fix it. Major, MAJOR reconstructive surgery. I won't tell you how they do it as this is a family site. It's very graphic, painful and not fun. THis is how I will be spending my summer.

My point is this: If I had taken the pain seriously when I was a younger woman I might not be in this position now. When the foot was less involved I could have been more aggressive. Instead of trying to power through the pain, I should have been listening to my body. I should have been taking the condition seriously. I abused my feet for years and I am about to pay a very high price for it.

Just go see the doctor.

 

[luvmyfam444]

I just figure there's nothing major wrong since it only hurts when exercising, and I guess its not arthritis since I had the pain when I was a teenager.