If you’re an avid runner, you’re probably no stranger to aches and pains. Running can be an incredibly rewarding physical activity but can also cause various injuries over time. Runners are even more at risk of injury when not performing proper running techniques or wearing appropriate footwear. It’s common for a runner to develop injuries related to the legs, feet and ankles. Research suggests that ankle pain occurs in anywhere from 4% to 17% of runners. You may want to keep reading if you’ve recently noticed that you’ve started experiencing pain in the front of your ankle while on runs. We’ll review some of the top causes and treatments for front ankle pain when running that you’ll want to know about.
What are the causes of front ankle pain when running?
You might be surprised to learn that many front ankle pain causes exist. For example:
- Ankle strain or sprain — Ankle strains or sprains are common injuries for runners. Strains occur when muscles or tendons are stretched or torn. Sprains occur when the ligaments become torn or stretched too far. Sprains happen the most in the ankle, typically when a runner makes an impact with an uneven portion of the ground.
- Ankle tendinitis — Tendinitis is a condition that occurs when a tendon in the body becomes inflamed, typically from overuse or a traumatic injury. Tendinitis can occur in the ankle when a runner performs repetitive movements, causing inflammation. It can also occur after some sort of injury to the tendon in the ankle.
- Ankle instability — Chronic ankle stability is a condition involving the ankle giving out frequently. It's usually the result of an injury to the lateral ankle ligaments. This condition can cause chronic discomfort, swelling and pain in the front of the ankle when running.
- Ankle stress fracture — A stress fracture is a type of bone fracture resulting from chronic stress on the bone from running, jumping and other activities. Ankle stress fractures are a common source of front ankle pain for runners. They most often start out as shin splints that go untreated and worsen over time.
- Ankle impingement — Ankle impingement is a condition that can cause pain in the front of the ankle especially while running. It typically involves pinching or compressing the tissue around the ankle.
What are some of the top treatments for front ankle pain when running?
Regardless of the cause of your front ankle pain while running, there are a number of treatments that can be used to reduce your pain and discomfort. The top treatments for front ankle pain while running include:
- Physical therapy — Physical therapy is a great source of treatment for front ankle pain when running. A licensed physical therapist can determine the root cause of your pain and create a treatment plan to address your symptoms. They may employ a variety of techniques like soft tissue manipulation, joint mobilization, and myofascial release to improve your condition.
- Anti-inflammatory medications — Medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can temporarily reduce inflammation and pain. This treatment option works best as a short-term pain relief solution while being used in conjunction with another treatment, like physical therapy.
- Orthopedic footwear — Oftentimes, a runner's ankle pain can be attributed to the quality of their footwear. Finding the right orthopedic footwear can make a huge difference when it comes to ankle pain and support.
- RICE method — The RICE method is another effective treatment option for ankle pain. RICE is an acronym for rest, ice, compression and elevation. Patients who make sure that they give their ankle enough rest, apply ice, and keep it compressed and elevated are likely to see positive results.
- Adaptive techniques — Sometimes front ankle pain when running can be rooted in improper running technique. Taking the time to research the right running techniques and practice implementing them can make a difference in your pain.
Alliance PTP is ready to help you find a caring partner to address your front ankle pain when running
Need a partner to help you address your front ankle pain while running? We’re glad you’ve decided to go the physical therapy route. Alliance Physical Therapy Partners is here for you.
We can help you find the in-person or virtual physical therapy that’s right for you, and even better, we’ll help you find a team of caring professionals ready to walk you through your entire PT journey.
Contact us today to start getting the care you need.
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