Running and jogging are high-impact activities, placing a significant amount of stress on your feet, ankles, knees and hips. And as a 2007 "British Journal of Sports Medicine" article reported, ankle injuries account for 4 to 16 percent of all lower-extremity injuries in runners. Injuries include sprains, tendinitis and impingement syndrome. Treatment for such injuries includes rest, ice, compression and elevation. Consult your physician for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Inversion Ankle Sprain
The most common type of ankle sprain is an inversion ankle sprain, which is when your ankle and foot twist inward. Stumbling over a rock, stepping awkwardly in a hole or falling may result in an ankle sprain. An inversion ankle sprain tears or overstretches the ligaments on the outside of your ankle. Symptoms include pain, swelling and joint stiffness. You may also experience joint instability, bruising and muscle weakness. A previous ankle injury, running on uneven surfaces and overtraining increase your risk of sustaining an inversion ankle sprain.
Impingement Syndrome
Ankle-impingement syndrome is when soft tissue like tendons and nerves around your ankle become compressed. Runners are susceptible to developing impingement syndrome due to the repetitive ankle flexion and extension during running, according to the findings of a 2006 article in the "Foot and Ankle Clinics of North America" journal. Chronic ankle instability, shoes with inadequate arch support, overuse and a previous ankle sprain can lead to impingement syndrome. Symptoms include pain around your ankle, swelling after physical activities, numbness, or tingling, and muscle weakness. Running and other high-impact activities will likely aggravate your symptoms.
Tendinitis
Tendinitis is when tendons such as your Achilles tendon and peroneal tendons located on the back and outside of your ankle, respectively, become inflamed and deteriorate. Running or jogging without adequate recovery time may lead to overuse injuries such as tendinitis. Symptoms include pain or aching, crackling or crepitus over the affected tendon and decreased ankle flexibility. As the tendinitis advances, the tendon may become thick and weak, increasing your chances of tearing your tendon.
Osteoarthritis
Ankle osteoarthritis is the degeneration of your ankle's cartilage and often occurs due to normal wear and tear. An ankle injury and overtraining, however, may increase the progression of osteoarthritis. Symptoms include pain, swelling and grinding of your ankle with movement. Advance osteoarthritis may also lead to joint instability, muscle loss and weakness. Due to the degenerative nature of osteoarthritis, your risk of developing it increases with age.
Treatment and Prevention
To decrease pain and swelling, rest, ice, wear a compression wrap and elevate your foot and ankle. If pain continues, take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. Other treatments your physician may recommend include orthotics, prescription medications, a corticosteroid injection and physical therapy. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary. To prevent ankle injuries, warm up before running, stretch your ankle and foot regularly, and allow adequate recovery time such as a rest day between runs.
References
- Sydney Orthopaedic: Causes of Persistent Pain following an Ankle Sprain
- "Foot and Ankle Clinics of North America"; Anterior and Posterior Ankle Impingement; C. Niek van Dijk, M.D., P.h.D.; 2006
- "American Family Physician"; Tendinopathies of the Foot and Ankle; Michael R. Simpson, D.O., et al.; November 2009
- "American Family Physician"; Management of Ankle Sprains; Michael W. Wolfe, M.D., et al; January 2001
- "British Journal of Sports Medicine"; Incidence and Determinants of Lower Extremity Running Injuries in Long Distance Runners: A Systematic Review; R.N. Van Gent, et al.; 2007
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle; September 2008
