Ankle pain

[afcro117]

Good Morning,

I have looked around this site for a while now and have found many great tips for knee pain, however, I have found very little on ankle pain. Almost a year ago I suffered a grade 3 sprain, and given the wrong brace (the gel pack moved around). I started to heal wrong then fell off a trailer respraining my ankle and twisting my knee (which I broke before). I use to run on average 5 miles every other day to train for Special Forces. These injuries now have hindered my abilities and I am very worried that I may not be able to achieve the running needed to excel and make the cut. Recently my girl bought me the correct brace and I have been wearing that along with new nimbus asics. My knee has not been bothering me as I have followed the mid foot strike rather than the ball of foot method. My ankle however is not doing very well. I have trouble walking after running sometimes until I push myself to keep going then it subsides till I rest. I have swam to help (also a part of the fitness test I need to pass) but after some time I run into the same problem. Is there anything I can do, or a form I could try? My test is in May and I have to run 3 miles in 20 minutes max.

Thanks,

Adam

[Jacquie Mardell]

Ankle sprains are notoriously hard to heal and it is not surprising that you are still feeling the effects even this much later. Swimming can help but it also flexes the ankle quite a bit and that may not feel good initially. The only thing I can say is that is needs time, and the same focuses that are helping your knee will help your ankles, but it will take longer. Keep focusing on the midfoot strike and on a quick light stride. That will help take the pressure off your ankle.