Weird Ankle Pain

[Blueberry]

I'm hoping someone here can offer some insight. I will see a doc, but I'm just wondering now....

I have been doing a couch to 5k plan, and running. I've been doing (IMO) really well. No new/odd pain (my knees always hurt - even riding - but they might be better for running). "Run" intervals have been feeling better (breathing easier).

I did a 24/6 workout yesterday (which sucked - for no good reason). When I got undressed last night, I noticed my right ankle hurt on the outside, right above/to the back of the the "bump." It's swollen and tender to the touch. I didn't twist it or otherwise have an acute injury to it. It definitely developed *after* I got home as it didn't bother me when I took off my running shoes - but it was more sore/swollen this AM. Walking isn't terrible, but I can feel it.

Any ideas? I will, of course, hold off on running until I can see a doc. Any thoughts on biking/riding a trainer? I hate to not do *something* given that I'm trying to lose weight....

[yellow]

Read up on peroneal tendonitis. It could be the beginnings of something like that! I had a bout earlier this year and while my pain was in a little different place (and exacerbated by extensor tendonitis, which I had at the same freakin' time), the peroneal tendon does run along the outside of the foot and ankle. FWIW, mine mostly went away within 2 to 3 weeks. I did one week of no running and then ran a couple of times the 2nd week and then just gradually increased my mileage again. I did ride my bike during the first few weeks and that didn't bother it as long as I stayed seated (standing put too much strain on the foot).

Oh, and I iced the heck out of it.

[Selkie]

I've had this injury repeatedly and this June, I had a very bad case of peroneal and tibial tendonitis that hobbled me. It hurt like a xxxch to walk. Ended up at the podiatrist, taking prescription strength Naproxen, wearing a split, and avoiding weight bearing activities. It took a long time to recover, and I didn't run for ten weeks (kept swimming and cycling).

Mine is caused by tight calves, so I have to be very very diligent about stretching them every day, morning and evening. I've also been religious about doing ankle strengthening exercises. I avoid running on canted surfaces, and I am back to wearing supportive running shoes (Brooks Ariel).

I highly recommend the BodyworksMD ankle rehab DVD. It was a godsend, particularly since my doctor didn't put me in PT (I had been in it before for this injury and knew the exercises).

Listen to your body. Aleve, for me, helped alleviate the discomfort better than Advil. Ice baths and applying arnica gel also helped a lot.

[rubysoho]

another vote for the starts of tendonitis. Your description could be nearly identical to what I had happen to me a few years ago on the c25k program. But mine was long lasting and I ended up having to get an injection to finally calm it down after a couple months.

Rest for a bit. And maybe repeat an easier week only after the pain is gone. If it comes back or you can feel the tendon (know what I mean??) stop. And it wouldn't hurt to see a doctor... though I wish I had seen someone who was less needle happy. I can't complain much. What he did worked and I haven't had a relapse. *knock on wood!* I did stop running for about two year though. But mine hurt a lot and for a very long time before the injection.

[Blueberry]

Thanks so much for your responses. They are very helpful!

I'm trying out a new GP today (who is a DO), so I'm hoping she will be less needle happy/more supportive of an active lifestyle. I had the appointment scheduled anyway to get in with her - might as well see how she does. *crossing fingers* She was recommended to me by my favorite sports med guy and they did work together for a while. Will report back on what she says.

I will definitely not revisit running until the pain is gone. I was just surprised at how bad the pain was that quickly. Nothing during the run, 6 hours later - ouch!

[rubysoho]

yeah, there was no slow progression of pain that I can remember. Just one day it was there and it hurt! I also had to tape my ankle and wear a brace for a few weeks post injection.

[Blueberry]

The new doc is awesome.

You all are correct - peroneal tendonitis. I have a brace, and can only do what doesn't hurt with the brace on (we think cycling, swimming and maybe the elliptical). No running for 2 weeks and then we'll see. She made the next appt 30 minutes so she would have time to show me PT exercises. I *really* hope I don't end up having to have an injection - I almost pass out from a flu shot

[OakLeaf]

Glad you like the new doctor. That's a big plus right there. Bummer about the tendon - hope it heals quick.

[Selkie]

I'm surprised to hear about the shot. Neither of the podiatrists who treated me for this injury suggested an injection (assume it was cortisone). And I was a "repeat offender" with this injury, too.

Ankle injuries are the worst.

I hope you heal quickly and am sending you lots of good healing vibes.

[emily_in_nc]

Bummer! Hope it heals up quickly. Maybe since you are nipping it in the bud before it becomes chronic, you'll bounce back soon and not need any long-term treatment, injections, etc. Icing would probably help dull the pain in the meantime.

Good luck!

[rubysoho]

I'm surprised to hear about the shot. Neither of the podiatrists who treated me for this injury suggested an injection (assume it was cortisone). And I was a "repeat offender" with this injury, too.

Ankle injuries are the worst.

I hope you heal quickly and am sending you lots of good healing vibes.

I really feel I was bullied into getting a shot (wasn't cortisone but something similar). I should have been firmer about the whole thing. But, what can I say? Two years, no repeat AND I am running farther now than I was when I hurt my ankle. However, I will stand up for myself in the future. I highly suspect the cause was bad form and incorrect shoes.

Icing was also done for two weeks post injection.

[Blueberry]

So I'm off to PT - no improvement in 2 weeks and 2 days. Still massive swelling despite ice, rest and anti-inflammatory meds. Of course, my PT that I adore goes out on maternity leave in 2 weeks (and only has one appointment before she goes out), and the other one I've seen and like goes out this week on maternity leave. So...I'm seeing someone completely new and different.

My doc did volunteer that she would not inject the area where I have inflammation. FWIW she said that there was too much danger of doing injury to the tendon. I didn't ask her directly - she was just explaining one of the modalities she authorized PT to use and reassuring me it did not involve needles.

Will report back after PT.

[emily_in_nc]

So I'm off to PT - no improvement in 2 weeks and 2 days. Still massive swelling despite ice, rest and anti-inflammatory meds. Of course, my PT that I adore goes out on maternity leave in 2 weeks (and only has one appointment before she goes out), and the other one I've seen and like goes out this week on maternity leave. So...I'm seeing someone completely new and different.

My doc did volunteer that she would not inject the area where I have inflammation. FWIW she said that there was too much danger of doing injury to the tendon. I didn't ask her directly - she was just explaining one of the modalities she authorized PT to use and reassuring me it did not involve needles.

Will report back after PT.

You poor thing! I can't believe the swelling hasn't gone down by now. Good luck with the PT. I can only imagine how frustrating this must be!

[OakLeaf]

Ow. Best of luck with the PT.

[Selkie]

Blue -- It took a long time for my ankle tendonitis (peroneal and tibial tendons) to get better. It was bad enough that I couldn't walk without pain for about a month (I was limping, actually---even with prescription strength naproxen). Wearing Dansko clogs to work helped a lot --- I wore them with skirts. I also wore a brace that was compressive and helped with the swelling. I injured it in mid-June and wasn't feeling decent until mid-August. Even though I've returned to normal activity, I have to be very careful. It occasionally will ache.

It's a terrible injury. It will get better eventually.

Feel free to pm me. In the meantime, sending lots of healing karma your way.