Ankle pain after you jog can occur for a variety of reasons, including poor mechanics, overtraining, ill-fitting footwear or twisting your ankle as you jog. Ankle pain can range from mild to severe. Conditions that affect the ankles of joggers include Achilles tendinitis, stress fractures, inversion sprains and exercise induced compartment syndrome. If you experience consist pain while jogging, always consult your physician for proper treatment and diagnoses.
Achilles Tendinitis
The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in your body -- it runs from your calf over your ankle to your heel bone. The Achilles tendon faces a lot of stress as you jog, which can sometimes result in Achilles tendinitis. You may experience pain, swelling, stiffness, thickening of the tendon, limited range of motion in your ankle and bone spurs as the result of Achilles tendinitis. To diagnose Achilles tendinitis, your doctor will examine your foot and ankle. An X-ray may be ordered to detect bone spurs and an MRI may be used to rule out further damage to your Achilles tendon. Achilles tendinitis is treated with rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medication and stretches to help strengthen the calf muscles, which will reduce stress on your Achilles tendon.
Stress Fractures
Ankle stress fractures are overuse injuries that are frequently misdiagnosed as shin splints. Ankle stress fractures can occur on either side of your ankle and are common in people who engage in a lot of jogging or running. The symptoms of a stress fracture generally include pain and swelling. The symptoms normally become more prevalent when you jog and subside when you rest. Your doctor will conduct a physical examination and take an X-ray of your foot and ankle. Further imaging tests may be required -- a bone scan or MRI. Stress fractures are not always detectable on X-rays, especially when they are new. Treatment may include rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, immobilization or activity modification. With stress fractures, your doctor may allow you to cross-train in low impact activities, such as swimming, walking on an elliptical machine or riding a stationary bike, as you heal.
Inversion Sprain
An inversion sprain is the most common type of ankle sprain, according to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. Inversion ankle sprains involve the outward twisting of your ankle and occur frequently in running, jogging, basketball, soccer and volleyball. Symptoms of an ankle sprain include pain, bruising and swelling. Most sprains heal on their own with rest, ice, elevation and compression. If you are still experiencing pain after a few days, visit with your doctor. A physical examination and imaging tests can help to determine the severity of your injury. If you have weak ankles and experience frequent sprains, it is a good idea to brace or tape your ankle prior to jogging.
Exercise Induced Compartment Syndrome
Jogging can induce a condition called compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome causes the lining of the muscles in your foot and ankle to swell and become full of fluid. As a result, there is little room for blood to flow through your foot and ankle. Severe pain and swelling are the number one indicators of compartment syndrome. A diagnosis is made by inserting a needle into the affected area and measuring the pressure. Upon confirming the diagnosis, surgery is typically performed in order to relieve the swelling and pressure.
