Pain in back of ankle.

Roses

Cathlete
I've been doing Cathe for 8 plus years, and I've never had this ache at the back of my ankle before. Its only my left ankle and only occurs when I do aerobics. Weightlifting never seems to bother it. I really like to go all out, but I've really had to cut back on the intensity level because the pain gets really bad. It's been like this for a couple months. I even tried new shoes, but nothing changed.

Anyone here ever have this problem? The morning after I do aerobics it will ache when I get up for a minute or two, then the rest of the day it feels great. Kinda weird. Wish it would stop. Anyway, just wondered if anyone else has had this before? Thanks....Sami
 
Hi, Sami. You may be experiencing achilles tenditis which is an inflammaion of the achilles tendon. I would recommend seeing your doctorand taking a bit of time off. I would definitely elimnate any high impact aerobics. Rest, ice, compression and elevation or RICE might also help.

I suffered from achilles tendonitis in my early running days. It was very painful and stubborn about healing, most likely because I kept running for quite a while, in denial. Your achilles tendon might be tight so stretch it carefully. But please see your doctor if symptoms persist!

http://www.plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Chick's Rule! B http://www.plaudersmilies.de/natur/petals.gif bbi
 
I also experience pain/stiffness in the morning in the back of the ankle (achilles heel) especially after an evening of step. You may want to stretch your ankle in the morning before getting out of bed. Mine was caused by overuse. I have had to reduce the frequency of my aerobic workouts and focus more on cross training. I added spinning and power yoga and try to keep my step workouts to twice a week at the most. I wear a shoe from Freddy because of their Impact Technology System and added orthotic support which has helped alot. The only other thing I would consider adding is a supportive floor/mat to cushion the impact.
You may wish to look at this website for more ideas. I know I added the orthotics because of another thread. Most importantly, talk to your doctor about it and R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression and elevation) as already suggested.
 
Thanks for your replies Bobbi and Sheilaraecote. I had cut down my aerobics to only twice per week the past couple months. I have a bicycle, so I'm going to try to use it for my aerobic days for a while. Bobbi I was curious, did you see a doctor and if you did, other than RICE did he/she give any other advice? I don't have any swelling there, curious if you did and if that is what the ice is for. How long did you have to stay off of it? Sorry so many questions.

I have been stretching my ankle three to four times during the day and before working out to see if it would help. It always seems to feel really good anytime I stretch it. I just hate missing workouts, but am willing if thats what my body needs. At least I have my bike, just kinda hate riding in 45-50 degree weather. Too cheap to see a doctor, so I'll try the bike before going there. Thanks again!! Sami
 
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Oct-28-02 AT 08:12PM (Est)[/font][p]For low-level soreness from achilles strain, my doc recommended a single dose of Alleve or Ibuprofin 45 minutes before workout and again before bed for 4-6 weeks, and ice after workouts. Also, lower impact for that period. If it doesn't improve, or gets worse, no impact for 2-4 weeks to allow to heal. Still not better, see doc.
CATHE posted on this once and recommended freezing Dixie Cups of water, and rubbing on tendon post-workout until melted. That's a great idea, to me.
 
Hi Kristina!

Thanks so much for your post. I'm starting the Ibuprofin this evening and have an ice pack in the fridge. I talked, today, with the cross country coach here at the high school, and he recommended 10 minutes of stretches for the achilles before beginning the workout. Thanks for your help. Can't stand to miss too many Cathe workouts! Thanks again...Sami
 
SAmi,
Hi there. I too have had some tightness and soreness in the back of my ankle. I too have never experienced it before. I think it is a combo of maybe me doing too much cardio and bad shoes. I bought some new running shoes today. The guy told me that many times you can get achilles problems from bad shoes. Mine were over a year old and had lost all cushion in the heal. He said that is a common cause because then your heal bends down too far.

I thought it was interesting! I will work out with them bright and early in the morn' and will let you know if I notice a difference.

Do you by chance have shoes that might be in need of replacing? Just a thought...

-Pammer
 
LuvCardio,

I just bought some two weeks after the pain started. Yes, my shoes were also over a year old, and this was my first thought. The ibuprofin, new shoes, and stretching are helping, but it still hurts when I do high impact moves. I've cut my cardio in half, very hard for me to do because I LOVE cardio. This means I'm lifting more, which is fine, but I really miss the step aerobics. Maybe it will just take a while for all this to catch up and really heal the tendon. I've wondered about using an insert in my shoes to raise the heel up more. Might try that.

Jogging and bike riding don't work for me in the fall because by the time I get home from work, DH has gone hunting and I have the girls. That's why Cathe works so great for me, I workout in one room and the girls play in the other. I'll try to get the inserts this weekend and see if they help next week. I'll let you know if they help. Thanks for posting.

Sami
 

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