Has anyone experienced swollen ankles and pitted edemas?

[Lyndy-loo]

I’ve been following couch to 5k since January. I always ensure I have a rest day between runs, aiming to do a run every other day. I run on the treadmill at the gym. My ankles are both swollen (When I press my finger on them an edema is present) and have been since I started. I have had my gait checked and have bought some new running shoes suitable for my running style. I have experienced some pain in my right ankle, but not painful enough to hinder walking or running (I put it down to old age!). I don’t want to stop this journey, I am loving running and am being quite disciplined with myself). Does anyone have any advice? My next step was to see either my gp or a physio if it doesn’t start to improve. Thanks.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run and leg strengthening, all of which may help.

If it persists, consult your GP.

Enjoy your journey.

[misswobble Graduate]

I had puffy ankles for ages. I hurt my ankle and had several weeks off to let it heal I had puffy ankles to start with mind you.

Drink plenty of water, stick to a healthy diet, sleep lots and keep going. You only need run slowly. Take a couple of days off between runs if you need to

I lost my puffy ankles eventually 👍

Good luck 👍💪🏃‍♀️

[Lyndy-loo Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thanks 😊

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Bloody hell ... Only this week I saw a sports massage therapist (OUCH!!!) - I havent run for 6 weeks because of possible shin splints and wondered whether I'd had tight calves that may have contributed to them.

He spotted an edema on my left lower leg right away... I'd never heard of it. And this is the 1st time on this forum or elsewhere that I've someone asking about the same thing. How odd. Doing a bit of research, it seems as though an edema is a good predictor (not necessarily a cause) of shin splint occurrence.

Here: runnersworld.com/health-inj...

Anyway... I'm at the stage where I'm going to resume running gently, but the therapist told me that I should start wearing compression socks after my runs to help circulation. My edema should go away in time.

I'd consult you GP, like I probably will.

[Couchpotato2 Graduate in reply to John_W]

I had to look it up as never heard of it. I definitely tested positive at the first test. Luckily I’ve not had pain when running, just sometimes in the past when I had to walk fast in hard shoes... interesting though

[misswobble Graduate in reply to John_W]

I didn’t know that! I had a horrible shin splint 😬. Simply awful 🙁