Why do I have ankle pain after running?

Ankle Pain After Running
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The most likely answer is that you’re running too far, and this is causing excessive stress and pain in your ankle. However, not every case of ankle pain after running is caused by pushing yourself too far. 

This isn’t surprising, since ankle injuries are fairly common in runners; one study reports that ankle injuries make up 16.6% of all running injuries. Physical therapists are musculoskeletal system experts, and they can help you figure out why you have ankle pain after running. These specialists can also help you find effective treatment for your ankle pain. 

Three conditions that can cause ankle pain after running

If you aren’t simply sore after your run, there could be three reasons you have ankle pain after runnings. These reasons are: 

  1. An ankle sprain — This injury occurs when an ankle ligament is overstretched or torn. When you’re running, an ankle sprain can occur from landing on your foot wrong, or it can be the result of tripping over something. Ankle sprains are very common in the U.S. One study found that more than 3.1 million Americans sprained their ankle between 2002 and 2006. 
  1. An ankle strain — Strains are different from sprains because they affect tendons. One tendon in your ankle that could be strained is the posterior tibial tendon (PTT). This can lead to inflammation and pain in the ankle and along the arch of your foot. It’s estimated that PTT injuries occur in up to 10% of the general population. 
  1. Achilles tendinitis — The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Repetitive movements like running can inflame this tendon and lead to ankle pain. Typically, the pain that Achilles tendinitis causes is felt at the back of the ankle. Medical researchers report that 9% of recreational athletes develop this form of tendinitis. 

Excel Sports & Physical Therapy can treat your ankle pain

Fed up with feeling ankle pain after every running session? Excel Sports & Physical Therapy has a team of specialists that can help diagnose and treat your pain. Our team offers free screenings that can pinpoint the issue that’s causing your ankle pain. In addition, our specialists are adept at building personalized therapy plans designed to reduce and prevent your pain. 

Not sure you can make it into one of our clinics because of your ankle pain? No problem! Our physical therapists can help you right from your own home thanks to our virtual therapy and at-home care services. 

Contact our team today for more information about our treatment options for ankle pain or to schedule your initial appointment.