What is wrong with me.

[francine009]

I have been running for a few weeks now, nothing big. I just started running again and have been taking in slow. I might do 2 miles 5 days a week. I started having pain on the inside of my ankle and lower leg. I started with only hurting toward the end of my run. I first thought it was shin splints, but normally when i have them they are up higher. After resting for 2 days I felt better and decided to try a to run again. I made it about a mile and had to walk back. For the past 4 days I have had a pain on the side of my ankle with tenderness with a small amount of swelling. at times when I walk I get a sharp pain. I have rested, Iced, anti-inflam, and wrapped my ankle. I am thinking about going to the doctor, but I do not want to go for them to tell me it is nothing. what should I do?

[Heidi]

Hi,

It sounds like a possible overuse injury to the tibialis posterior muscle. This muscle runs quite deep within the shin and then the tendon passes behind the bone on the inside of the ankle and attaches to the inside of the foot.

have a look at this page for further info:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/ankle/peronealdislocation.htm

Have you had your foot position checked and have you got a good pair of running shoes? This can make all the difference as this injury is common amongst people who overpronate.

Do you always warm-up thoroughly before a run? I know with relatively short distances its tempting not to bother but it can really make a bit difference.

You have done the right thing with rest, ice and anti-inflammatories, but i'm afraid the rest is gonna have to be more than a few days if this is in fact the right injury. Have 2-3 weeks off, get your running style checked, stretch the calves 3 times a day (with both the knee bent and straight) and a couple of sports massages in this time should help.