Your legs have to absorb the impact stress of about 1,500 steps per mile. The bones, tendons and ligaments of your feet, ankles, knees and hips work together to disperse this stress throughout as much of the lower body as possible. Nevertheless, pain and injuries are all but inevitable in runners. Pain on the outside of the lower leg is a common complaint.
Peroneal Tendonitis
The tendons of the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis muscles course down the outer leg and under the lateral malleolus. These muscles serve to stabilize the foot laterally and become inflamed with overuse. Pain resulting from this malady may be sharp but is more often dull. In addition to ankle pain, the arch of the foot may be sore. According to Northcoast Footcare, running on uneven surfaces and wearing poorly cushioned shoes are the usual causes of peroneal tendonitis. To treat the injury, try resting, icing and stretching.
Ankle Sprain
According to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, ankle sprains represent the most common injury among athletes. Ninety percent of all ankle sprains are inversion sprains, which involve the outside of the ankle. Runners who habitually train on uneven surfaces, such as hilly trails or rough gravel, are at greater risk for "rolling" an ankle. If you hear a popping sound as this happens, the ligament on the lateral aspect of the ankle may have ruptured. Ankle sprains are treated with rest, icing, compression, elevation of the ankle and anti-inflammatory medications. If the ligaments are sufficiently damaged, you may require a cast.
Tenosynovitis
Tenosynovitis refers to inflammation of the fibrous sheath surrounding a tendon as it passes through a joint. Runners who experience ankle tenosynovitis usually develop it because of overuse, although infection or a direct blow to the area can also cause tenosynovitis. Symptoms include pain when you flex or extend the foot and redness of the skin in the area of the tendon. Treatment includes rest, anti-inflammatory medications, steroid shots, immobilization of the ankle joint and, in extreme cases, surgery.
Stress Fracture
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, half of men who incur stress fractures and almost 2/3 of women are participants in track and field sports. While the tibia and metatarsals are the bones most frequently affected, the fibula, or lateral shin bone, accounts for 10 percent of stress fractures in adults. Most of these result in pain within a few inches of the ankle. Increasing mileage too rapidly and wearing poorly cushioned shoes predispose runners to stress fractures, which are confirmed using magnetic resonance imaging and treated with six to eight weeks of rest, possibly with an air splint.
