Ankle Pain While Running

Ankle injuries and pain are some of the common problems in runners and athletes. Most often, ankle pain while working out is a result of sprain, which can occur when the foot is twitched inward or outward. An acute ankle pain usually indicates ankle sprain or trauma while exercising or running, while a case of chronic ankle pain is generally caused by overuse. Any injury or trauma to the ankle can cause damage to the ligaments, that connect one bone to another, and control the excessive movement of the joint. This in turn, can manifest in pain and swelling.

Experiencing Pain in the Ankles During Running

Causes
As has been mentioned already, most of the time ankle pain during physical exertion is caused by a sprain. Sometimes, Achilles tendinitis can also cause this problem when running. A sprain often results when the ankle is twisted inwards or outwards, which causes the ligaments of the ankle to stretch too far. Such twisting can cause tearing of the ligaments besides causing damage to the surrounding tissues. A sprain caused due to twisting the foot inward is referred as inversion ankle sprain, while the sprain caused by twisting the foot outwards is called eversion ankle sprain. Usually, ankle sprain most commonly affects the ligaments present on the lateral side of the ankle.

Depending on the extent of damage caused to the ligaments, ankle sprain is classified into first degree sprain, second degree sprain and third degree sprain. Out of these, first degree sprain is the least severe, while the third degree sprain is the most severe form of sprain. Achilles tendinitis, which is also a common cause of this condition, is characterized by irritation as well as inflammation of the large tendon (Achilles tendon) that is located in the back of the ankle. It is often a result of overuse injury to this part of the body, which leads to tearing of the tendon. If left untreated, Achilles tendinitis can eventually cause the Achilles tendon to rupture. It can also be occasionally caused by fractures, ankle tendinitis, neuroma, arthritis, infection, gout and pseudogout.

Symptoms
The symptoms depend on the extent of damage caused to the ligaments and tendons. A mild case of sprain or injury can manifest only in pain with or without swelling, while in severe cases, ankle pain can be accompanied by severe swelling and inflammation and loss of stability of the ankle joint.

Treatment
To treat ankle pain, it is very important to ascertain the extent of damage, which can be done by visiting a physician. In the meantime, avoid any activity that can put excessive pressure on the ankle joint. You can use a crutch for this purpose. Use an ice pack to get temporary relief from the pain, caused by sprain or injury. Ice pack should be applied within the first 48 hours after the injury or trauma. In addition to these, keep the injured ankle at an elevated position, especially while sleeping during the night. To reduce swelling, apply compression to the affected ankle by wrapping the ankle with regular or elastic bandage. If the pain becomes unbearable, then talk to your physician regarding the use of pain medications or anti-inflammatory drugs. But if the symptoms persist or aggravate over time, then immediately consult your physician to evaluate the condition, and find out the exact causes.

To prevent ankle pain in the future, make sure that you wear proper shoes or footwear while running or exercising. Many times, it has been observed that pain while running is mainly caused by an improper gait, which to a great extent can be corrected by wearing proper footwear or shoes. At the same time, try to avoid running on uneven and extremely hard surfaces. Exercises that strengthen that muscle surrounding the ankle joint, can also help immensely to recover from ankle pain and prevent its occurrences in the future.