We are a couple of months into the New Year, and many people made resolutions to lose weight or get back into shape. If you were one of these people, you may be running on a treadmill or out on the street trying to improve your health and maintain your weight. One of the most common problems that runners encounter is ankle pain. Many runners feel ankle pain while running, while others may feel the pain after completing the workout regimen. If you are experiencing ankle pain during or after a run, you may be wondering why you feel it, how you can treat it, and if and when it warrants a trip to the doctors. Here's everything you need to know.
Causes of Ankle Pain While Running
There are a number of reasons why you may feel ankle pain while running, or shortly after completing a run. One of the top causes of ankle pain is not wearing the appropriate footwear. Over training or running a longer distance than normal can lead to ankle pain. Not properly stretching or warming up is another problem that can lead to pain in your ankles. Ankle injuries, such as sprains and strains, can also cause pain. Arthritis, caused by age or previous injuries, may cause ankle pain. Finally, severe ankle injuries, such as fractures or tendon tears, can cause pain in your ankle region or foot while running.
Home Treatment for Running-Related Ankle Pain
When it comes to ankle pain that you may have experienced while running, there are a number of home treatments and remedies you can use to relieve the pain. If you are experiencing minor swelling, inflammation or pain, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers. Hot and cold can also be used to treat pain and inflammation, including ice packs, heat compresses and warm foot baths. One of the best ways to treat ankle pain is to support your ankle. You can wear an ankle brace, an ace bandage or try more supportive footwear when you are going for a run. If your symptoms are caused by overexertion or strain, try taking your workout down a couple of notches and/or letting your ankles rest for a few days before heading out for a run again.
When to See a Doctor for Ankle Pain While Running
If you are experiencing severe pain, have a large amount of swelling or bruising that is not decreasing, or are unable to treat the ankle pain on your own, it is time to see a doctor for ankle pain while running. If you are unable to bear weight on your ankle for a few days, and have extreme swelling or bruising that is not going away, you may have a fracture that needs to be treated. This should be looked at and treated quickly. If you experience pain despite home remedies, and the pain continues for at least a couple of weeks, you will want to see a doctor. The pain may be from a sprain, strain, muscle pull, tendon damage, over-training, or improper footwear. A doctor can help determine why you are experiencing the pain and come up with a treatment plan to relieve your symptoms.
In most cases, you can minimize or treat ankle pain caused by running on your own. However, if you are experiencing pain that does not go away with at-home treatments, it is time to make an appointment with a foot specialist, such as us at Sweeney Foot & Ankle Specialists. Call us today to schedule an appointment and let one of our professionals help to diagnose your ankle pain and treat it, helping you get back to feeling comfortable while running again.
