Swollen ankles after running can be a concerning and uncomfortable issue that many athletes and runners experience. While it's essential to push your limits and stay active, it's equally important to recognize the potential causes of this discomfort. One common cause of swollen ankles after running is improper footwear. Ill-fitting shoes or those lacking proper support can lead to strain on the ankles, resulting in inflammation. Overuse and overtraining can also contribute to swelling. Pushing yourself too hard or abruptly increasing your running intensity can cause stress on the ankle joints and surrounding tissues, leading to swelling. Further, inadequate warm-up and cool-down routines can lead to muscle tightness and cause fluid to accumulate around the ankles. Proper running shoes, a gradual training progression, and thorough warm-up and cool-down routines can significantly reduce the risk of swollen ankles. If swelling in the ankles persists or worsens, it is suggested that you make an appointment with a podiatrist to rule out underlying issues like sprains, strains, or ligament damage. 

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Dr. Eugenio Rivera from Calo Foot & Ankle Specialists. Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Bellaire, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.