Lateral Ankle Pain… A Hindrance for Runners

Although lateral ankle pain in runners is less common than knee or heel pain, those who have experienced it know all too well how hard it is to cure. While the pain may not be severe to the point of inability to run, it can be stubborn, refusing to lessen. Additionally, lateral ankle pain may be associated with other more serious injuries such as ankle sprains. As a result, it may require discontinuation of running in order for the injury to heal.

The Pejman Zia Research collected data from 58 runners who had experienced acute ankle sprain, and had pre-existing lateral ankle pain. Clinical assessments revealed that as many as 48 of them had symptoms associated with peroneal tendonitis. When magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were performed, it was found that 55 out of the 58 runners (or 95%) did, in fact, have peroneal tendonitis in the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis. These are tendons at the ends of the muscles on the outer part of the leg.

These findings indicate that there is indeed a correlation between lateral ankle pain and ankle sprain trauma. However, it is not clear enough to state conclusively that peroneal tendonitis is the cause of ankle sprains. Having said that, it is quite likely that ankle joint tendon inflammation over a long period of time reduces the ability to control ankle movements. As a consequence, ankle injury can occur.

Hence, if you are a runner who has been experiencing lateral ankle pain for a while, I recommend that you seek treatment immediately. Make sure it is completely cured in order to reduce long-term inflammation in the tendons in that area. There are several treatment methods, including a reduction of impact to the affected area, as well as strengthening the muscles. Subsequently, stronger muscles can better support the impact and force placed upon them while running, and aid in tissue recovery.

Changing your running foot strike is one fairly new and interesting method that I would like to suggest. This method does not involve changing to forefoot or midfoot strike as has been popularized recently. In fact, it involves more of a heel strike. This is because with each type of foot strike, impact and ground reaction force remains stable. To illustrate, the structures and muscles absorbing the impact or ground reaction force (GRF) changes, but the reaction does not. 

Runners who use heel strike end up putting greater force to the knees. In contrast, running using forefoot strike puts more impact to the ankles and calves. In cases of ankle pain, transition to striking or placing a little more weight on the heel instead of the painful area. As a result, this will reduce the force to the ankles without having to stop running altogether. Furthermore, be careful not to overstride and come down on your heel when the knee is extended.

In summary, a correlation does exist between lateral ankle pain and ankle sprain trauma. Any runner who starts to experience symptoms should seek treatment and a cure. This will prevent symptoms and injuries, such as ankle sprains, which are more severe.  Severe symptoms may need runners to refrain from running for extended periods of time.

The Sports and Orthopedic Center also reaches out to anyone suffering from orthopedic injuries, or from acute or chronic damage to bones and joints. Our center brings together a highly accomplished team of 38 orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists and sports injury and physical rehabilitation experts. We pair these experienced experts with the latest orthopedic and physical rehabilitation equipment, ensuring all patients receive the best possible care.

Samitivej has a team ready to help and provide services for: 

• Treatment Plan Consultation with a doctor via online video-call (second opinion)
• Treatment Planning if you have medical records or a price estimate from another hospital 
• Cost Planning by our Appraisals Team with price guarantee (only for procedure packages without complications)
• Check Initial Coverage Eligibility with Thai and international insurance companies (only for insurance companies in contract with the Hospital)

References

NCBI – Peroneal tendinosis as a predisposing factor for the acute lateral ankle sprain in runners: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25786820.  Accessed on October 29, 2015.