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Ankle/Heel Pain
I don't want to get in trouble for double posting, but I don't think a lot of people are in the forum section I originally posted in and I don't have the money to pay for the ask a doctor section and wanted to see if I could maybe get help here.
In short- I'm 25 years old, female, and overweight. No health problems otherwise. Two years ago, I finally got my butt into exercising and have lost 20 pounds. Initially it consisted of either walking or bike riding, but then I hit a plateau and I decided to finally try running and since November, I have been training to run. I have been doing it slow and am still at a run-walk (where I'll jog for so long and then stop when it gets too strenous and walk). I usually do this about 3 days a week and the other days I bike or walk. I have never experienced any injuries except shin splints occasionally.
For the past week I have been worried about my left ankle. I was able to stand up on my toes and have no pain, and when I woke up or got up after sitting for a long time, there was no pain, no swelling or bruising or anything, and it didn't hurt when I squeezed the area (just makes my blood run cold to touch that area). But I noticed that when I did any type of ankle exercise, the ankle cracked A LOT. If I did the same exercise on my right ankle, it hardly, if ever, cracked. And a lot of times I got a feeling in my ankle like when you need to crack your knuckles and rolling the ankle around will relieve it. But no pain. And then if I flexed my foot with my toes pointing down, and I know this sounds really weird, sometimes there is a feeling in the back and towards the left that is so mild, I couldn't even tell if it was actually pain. Just maybe like a pressure....almost like the feeling of needing to crack something! My running shoes were kind of bad and I just used a new pair on Sunday.
But today, when I woke up, I got out of bed and after a few minutes plantar flexed the left foot to test it and while pointing my toes down, out of nowhere, I felt a pain. I did not (at least do not recall which from other people's testimonies I think I would remember) feel the tell tale POP of a rupture or of being whacked in the leg. And now it hurts to point down, to flex my feet up where my toes are facing up, to move my foot out to the left, and to stand up on my toes (I can do it, just not a lot because it hurts). Just those ways. Its in the back, a little more than half an inch below the level of the ankle bone and more to the left. It doesn't hurt sitting down unless I move it in those 4 particular positions. And once again, like I mentioned, it feels like it needs to be popped, just worse than it felt before. No swelling or anything (yet). No pain on palpating the area. It does hurt to walk, usually worse when I first get up. I can stand on my left foot alone and no pain, so no problem whatsoever in bearing weight. If I bend my knees or go into a squat position I can feel the pain. Its in such an isolated spot I don't think it is sprained or anything. But now I am worried I may have ruptured or torn the Achilles tendon and I am really afraid to do anything. I have a hard time believing the tendon could be simply torn or ruptured from doing a plantar flex of the foot that I didn't do it violently or abruptly, but I am not a professional so what do I know?
Does this sound like anything I should be concerned about?
Thanks,
Nikki
In short- I'm 25 years old, female, and overweight. No health problems otherwise. Two years ago, I finally got my butt into exercising and have lost 20 pounds. Initially it consisted of either walking or bike riding, but then I hit a plateau and I decided to finally try running and since November, I have been training to run. I have been doing it slow and am still at a run-walk (where I'll jog for so long and then stop when it gets too strenous and walk). I usually do this about 3 days a week and the other days I bike or walk. I have never experienced any injuries except shin splints occasionally.
For the past week I have been worried about my left ankle. I was able to stand up on my toes and have no pain, and when I woke up or got up after sitting for a long time, there was no pain, no swelling or bruising or anything, and it didn't hurt when I squeezed the area (just makes my blood run cold to touch that area). But I noticed that when I did any type of ankle exercise, the ankle cracked A LOT. If I did the same exercise on my right ankle, it hardly, if ever, cracked. And a lot of times I got a feeling in my ankle like when you need to crack your knuckles and rolling the ankle around will relieve it. But no pain. And then if I flexed my foot with my toes pointing down, and I know this sounds really weird, sometimes there is a feeling in the back and towards the left that is so mild, I couldn't even tell if it was actually pain. Just maybe like a pressure....almost like the feeling of needing to crack something! My running shoes were kind of bad and I just used a new pair on Sunday.
But today, when I woke up, I got out of bed and after a few minutes plantar flexed the left foot to test it and while pointing my toes down, out of nowhere, I felt a pain. I did not (at least do not recall which from other people's testimonies I think I would remember) feel the tell tale POP of a rupture or of being whacked in the leg. And now it hurts to point down, to flex my feet up where my toes are facing up, to move my foot out to the left, and to stand up on my toes (I can do it, just not a lot because it hurts). Just those ways. Its in the back, a little more than half an inch below the level of the ankle bone and more to the left. It doesn't hurt sitting down unless I move it in those 4 particular positions. And once again, like I mentioned, it feels like it needs to be popped, just worse than it felt before. No swelling or anything (yet). No pain on palpating the area. It does hurt to walk, usually worse when I first get up. I can stand on my left foot alone and no pain, so no problem whatsoever in bearing weight. If I bend my knees or go into a squat position I can feel the pain. Its in such an isolated spot I don't think it is sprained or anything. But now I am worried I may have ruptured or torn the Achilles tendon and I am really afraid to do anything. I have a hard time believing the tendon could be simply torn or ruptured from doing a plantar flex of the foot that I didn't do it violently or abruptly, but I am not a professional so what do I know?
Does this sound like anything I should be concerned about?
Thanks,
Nikki
I realized I forgot to mention a few things that could have contributed to this- not only was I running in not good of shape sneakers, I was also running on concrete or asphalt. I also, looking at my running shoes and other shoes I wear....I think I may overpronate. The last time I had ran was Sunday. I am also someone who never wears high heels (usually too afraid of hurting myself doing so) and if I do wear anything with a heel, it has a lift in the front.
I am still keeping it wrapped and taking Advil and icing, although yesterday I didn't get to ice it as much as I wanted to. The pain is still there on certain movements although it seems like it has shrunk in intensity and in area, if that makes any sense. The pain seems to be below the outer left ankle bone. Before it seemed to be spread a little further out as well. And yesterday was the first day I came into contact with stairs again and I noticed some mild pain coming down. No noticable pain going up stairs though and no pain going on tiptoes anymore. The only really noticable problem is I am very very leary walking and doing anything for fear of making the wrong move and injuring the area.
Still, if there is any pain within a few days, then I may schedule an appointment with my doctor. I'll put out the $60 or $80 to get somewhat of a peace of mind. I don't care so much of having an injury; I just do not want something worse to happen. I think I am going to put trying to run on hiatus for now, or at least until I find a job and get health insurance and have everything checked out before going back.
Just a few more questions though- with tendonitis in this area, how long would it generally take to get back exercising? I have a stationary bike that I would like to use, but I am afraid to even use that. Should I still put walking (for exericse) off for some time even if the pain disappears? Is there a time when I need to put heat on it or just strictly still keep icing it?
Thank you so much for your help.
Nikki
I am still keeping it wrapped and taking Advil and icing, although yesterday I didn't get to ice it as much as I wanted to. The pain is still there on certain movements although it seems like it has shrunk in intensity and in area, if that makes any sense. The pain seems to be below the outer left ankle bone. Before it seemed to be spread a little further out as well. And yesterday was the first day I came into contact with stairs again and I noticed some mild pain coming down. No noticable pain going up stairs though and no pain going on tiptoes anymore. The only really noticable problem is I am very very leary walking and doing anything for fear of making the wrong move and injuring the area.
Still, if there is any pain within a few days, then I may schedule an appointment with my doctor. I'll put out the $60 or $80 to get somewhat of a peace of mind. I don't care so much of having an injury; I just do not want something worse to happen. I think I am going to put trying to run on hiatus for now, or at least until I find a job and get health insurance and have everything checked out before going back.
Just a few more questions though- with tendonitis in this area, how long would it generally take to get back exercising? I have a stationary bike that I would like to use, but I am afraid to even use that. Should I still put walking (for exericse) off for some time even if the pain disappears? Is there a time when I need to put heat on it or just strictly still keep icing it?
Thank you so much for your help.
Nikki
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
Tendonitis can occur suddenly as acute tendonitis. Ankle tendonitis is caused by excess stress being placed on the posterior tibialis tendon. As with all types of tendonitis, symptoms will start off very mild during or after an activity but may develop if left untreated.If your symptoms are improving by rest, cold compresses and antiinflammatories,then consultation of a doctor is not necessary.But if the symptoms persist or worsen,then definitely medical intervention is needed.
Hope it helps.Take care and regards.
Tendonitis can occur suddenly as acute tendonitis. Ankle tendonitis is caused by excess stress being placed on the posterior tibialis tendon. As with all types of tendonitis, symptoms will start off very mild during or after an activity but may develop if left untreated.If your symptoms are improving by rest, cold compresses and antiinflammatories,then consultation of a doctor is not necessary.But if the symptoms persist or worsen,then definitely medical intervention is needed.
Hope it helps.Take care and regards.
Hi:
Thanks for replying. I have been applying ice, resting, and taking Advil. There is still no swelling or anything. The pain is almost completely gone when I walk, although it still hurts somewhat to flex the area.
Can tendonitis just develop suddenly? Or were my previous symptoms sounding like the start of it? If the symptoms subside more, should I still go to see a doctor? I have no health insurance and barely any money to go to a primary care doctor, let alone a specialist and then having tests done on top of that.
Thanks for replying. I have been applying ice, resting, and taking Advil. There is still no swelling or anything. The pain is almost completely gone when I walk, although it still hurts somewhat to flex the area.
Can tendonitis just develop suddenly? Or were my previous symptoms sounding like the start of it? If the symptoms subside more, should I still go to see a doctor? I have no health insurance and barely any money to go to a primary care doctor, let alone a specialist and then having tests done on top of that.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
From your symptoms,it sounds like tendonitis but ligament injury also needs to be ruled out. Tendonitis is an inflammation of tendon. The inflammation is caused by activities involving repetitive use of the tendon, overuse of the tendon or trauma.
Apply cold compresses on the ankle and give rest to the part.Also keep the part elevated and use casts or splints.Take some over the counter anti inflammatory pain killer like diclofenac and apply some topical muscle relaxant on the ankle.More important is complete rest to the part.If still the symptoms persist then definitely tendon rupture has to be ruled out.X-rays and MRI may be needed.Pls consult an orthopedician in that case.
Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted in case of any additional doubts.
From your symptoms,it sounds like tendonitis but ligament injury also needs to be ruled out. Tendonitis is an inflammation of tendon. The inflammation is caused by activities involving repetitive use of the tendon, overuse of the tendon or trauma.
Apply cold compresses on the ankle and give rest to the part.Also keep the part elevated and use casts or splints.Take some over the counter anti inflammatory pain killer like diclofenac and apply some topical muscle relaxant on the ankle.More important is complete rest to the part.If still the symptoms persist then definitely tendon rupture has to be ruled out.X-rays and MRI may be needed.Pls consult an orthopedician in that case.
Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted in case of any additional doubts.
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