Swollen ankle

[Cally73]

Onto week seven and have been managing quite well. Achy legs at times from it but nothing much. However after my last run my left ankle on the outer side became quite swollen. It feels quite hot and is tender to touch. Been icing and elevating for the past two days but not much improvement! Could it be due to longer runs? Haven’t gone over on it or anything. Getting frustrated as I am suddenly loving going for a run and obviously can’t as it sore just to walk on it! Any advice?

[Elisabeth3 Graduate]

A more experienced forum member may help you more than I can, so just a few pieces of notes.

1. Do not run now with swollen leg.

2. See a physiotherapist or sports professional for treatment/advice.

3. Start running again only after recovery, it may take a while.

4. When pain reoccurs, stop. You will feel how far to push.

5. If not yet done, do gait analysis, to decide on appreciate shoes.

6. In the meantime you can do other exercises that load legs less. Beside the benefits they offer on their own, you will feel stronger for your future runs.

I hope this helps and doesn't sound too much of a lecture.

I wish you get better soon.

[Cally73 Graduate in reply to Elisabeth3]

Thanks for your advice. I had my gait analysis done recently and got new trainers so it shouldn’t be that. I didn’t stop when the pain started I kept going so probably made it worse. Fingers crossed it settles soon.

[Elisabeth3 Graduate in reply to Cally73]

Agree with the suggestion from Bluebirdrunner. Rest, ice, elevation, almost the RICE.

Best see a medical professional.

When coming back to running, change to flat, even and soft surface. Track would be best but is not widely available.

Uphill may be less of a problem, but downhill can massively challenge joints. When we went to run with my son the other week (happened on two occasions so far), I asked him to choose a route with the least steep downhill.

Hope this helps. Take care.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Sorry to hear this Cally😦...Elisabeth is right, do not try and run until the pain and swelling have gone. If icing and elevating doesn't help after a week, seek some medical advice. There are exercises for strengthening ankles which you can do once the pain has gone.

Are you wearing running shoes that give you correct support, you say your gait analysis was a couple of years ago? Are you running on very bumpy, uneven surfaces.

I do hope your ankle settles, not sure why this has happened could be a strained ligament rest is the answer. xx

[Cally73 Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

I had my gait analysis redone a couple of weeks ago and got new trainers. I am running on paths with lots of little roads in between so a lot of on and off kerbs. Also a couple of hills to go up and down. It started off just feeling stiff but it gradually got worse.

[backintime Graduate]

I would check for bug bites, 'tis the season...and then, check with your doc if there isn't anything...either way, doesn't hurt to be sure

[JaoJao]

Hi Cally, doesn’t sound right when you say it is tender to touch, can you go to a NHS walk-in centre near you? May be a big bite as someone suggested but that would be itchy too, could be a hairline fracture but you say you have not fallen over.

Hope you can get to the bottom of it. Until then, rest it, ice it, comfort it and elevate it. That’s basic first aid (Rice).