ankle injury...

[clownman]

I was running a few weeks ago with the dog and took a spill, (while focusing on a owner whos dog was out of control).

Anyways, I hit the pavement. Everything was good except the ankle.

I hobbled around for about 1 week, then it started getting better. Finally after a few weeks it felt pretty good.

The thing is it is now (2 months later) if I am walking and happen to step wrong it kind of gives out. The pain doesnt come back full blast but just alittle. I noticed it doesnt really happen on the flex in but flex out part of the movement..

I have not even dared to try running again because I know it just wont happen. Lately I started taking Glucosamine/Chond/MSM...

What do you guys recommend so I can try and get back on track?????

Thanks..

[threenorns]

sorry - there are some bodyparts you don't take chances with, and joints are one of them. i'm no doc, but i have the same problem with my ankles and one elbow. in all cases, it's because of an injury i sustained that overstretched the tendons and/or ligaments.

go see a doctor.

[tim_mcf]

Give it time. You also may just have to accept that every now and then your ankle is going to tweak out on you. I sprained mine about 10 years back and every now and then it just flips out to the side for no reason - walking down the sidewalk. I've gotten to where I just let myself fall rather than trying to catch myself with that leg because if I do catch myself, I hurt the ankle again. You should be able to run as long as you take it easy and have good shoes, but be really careful running outside or on variable surfaces. Working all the surrounding musculature will help a lot too.

[Octagon]

Yeah, I'll second the doc (or chiro or trainer) suggestion but look specifically for somebody with a sports medicine background if possible.

What with the boomers (re)discovering exercise over the past ten or so years just plain docs have become a *lot* better at dealing with knee etc injuries you have a specific problem with a specific joint and you're likely going to be putting specific stresses on that joint in the future so why not look for somebody who knows that territory a little better.

[CF-OC_gal]

Yes I agree totally with getting it checked out by a Doc. see if you can get a referral to a sports medicine doctor. They want to get you back out into your sport not hold you back.

Until then ice it whenever it gives you a problem.

I too have a "bad" ankle due to series of uncared for sprains. (It is noticably larger from inflamation and scar tissue) It is now arthritic (confirmed by x-ray) to the range of motion that it doesn't hurt me is limited but I found that the more I babied it the less I could do. There was a huge difference on each side in the weight I could use doing calf raises when I first went back to the gym. Starting with low weight and building back up has really helped. You sort of get used to the "snapping" reminder or your limitations at the joint after a while.

[mikeygone1]

Definitely get it checked out...although there is probably not much they will do now.

I fractured my ankle once and tore the ligaments in it about a year later playing basketball. I had the "snapping" noise, swelling and bruising both times. It just takes time to heal and it will never be as strong as it was to begin with. Rehab exercises like the one with a wobble board (i think thats what it is called) will help strengthen it .