Weak Ankles

[nb7]

Hi. I was born with my feet facing upwards, flat against my leg.  The problem was sorted within a couple of months, the only side effects being both my feet face outwards slightly instead of straight forward.  
I was wondering if this issue I had at birth could be effecting me when playing sports? My ankles tend to be quite weak so I always wear basketball boots to support them when exercising.  I broke my leg and ankle quite badly a couple of years back and since then I've found it difficult to excercise and play sports the way I did before. As I was in a cast for 6 months I couldn't train and since then my ankles have remained weak and I sometimes get foot cramps when running.  I just want to know if this problem is common with people born the way I was?

Thanks.

[allmymarbles]

Are you double-jointed, that is, are you extremely flexible? I come from such a family and we often start out with weak ankles and back sprains are common. As we get older we lose some of the flexibility and are less subject to these weaknesses.

[Bridget A. Hewitt, RN]

Hi and thanks for using the forum.

Usually when babies are born with their feet in the position you described, if there is no bone abnormalities, a brace is used to correct the positioning of the feet.  This is usually done for an extended time period and the feet eventually go to the normal position.  Sometimes, physical therapy is done to help develop the muscles depending on the child.  It would be tough to say if your ankles feeling "weak" would be related to this or if it is related to an old fracture or if it is just you.  Have you tried working with a physical therapist at all?  You could ask your doctor for a referral to a physical therapist who could help you establish whether or not your ankles are actually weak.  They could also help you with some exercises if you need them.  I hope this info helps.  Good luck.

Bridget