Bloody Ankles !

Now this is probably going to be a bit vague but ill do my best to explain-
Over the past 3-4 months ive been suffering pain in the area to the outer side of my achiles tendon in the soft part between tendon and ankle bone knuckle. This is where it gets strange, I can happily run 30-50 road miles in training per week with no ill effects, I can run up hill fine which leads me away from thinking its an achiles issue as this would obvioulsy be when the tendon was under the most stress. The problem is descending, when I foot strike going down I get the most painful senssation akin to sensative teeth pain in the area mentioned but this pain is only present for that split second then its gone again.
I have seen my GP and reguarly used and trusted physio but I cant replicate the symptoms unless I run down hill at speed, I have had no real answers as to what is wrong, GP administerd a cortisone injection which has done nothing and my physio suggested various taping which doesnt realy seem to do anything. Any ideas ??? Im very frustrated as going down was a strength of mine and now my uphill has got stronger this is really letting me down.
Thanks
Mark

There aren't a lot of structures (muscles/tendons) in the area I think you're talking about but there are bursa that could be inflamed - search for retrocalcaneal bursitis and see if that sounds familiar. If it is an inflamed bursa then you'll need to work out what's causing it and make some sort of change. I'm not sure why a doctor would administer an injection if they haven't given you a diagnosis?!

have you rolled your ankle either recently or historically?

Thanks Cyclops ill take a look. No, no real diagnosis other than if it was inflamation the cortisone would help ?
beasty, the strange thing is I really dont ever remember rolling my left ankle it seems to be somthing which has appeared rather than an accute injury, on the other hand I recently rolled my right ankle which took a week or two to settle down and is fine again now (touch wood) !

Sounds similar to something I have been suffering with for a while. I'm working on the assumption its bursitis coupled with some ligament damage. I have had x-rays to rule out any bone abnormalities but no real concrete diagnosis. Symptoms are much better now (though not 100% clear) and its taken a while to get to where I am. Things that have helped:

1.Rest when painful and ibuprofen only when absolutely necessary.
2.Regular icing of the area (3-4 times a day)
3.Calf stretches
4.Reduction in weekly mileage and ascent (<50%). Also, knock the steep descents on the head and save them for race day.
5.Plenty of what I call quality runs to make up for last item. e.g. Short speed sessions, hill reps (but steep up and long winding down), long runs done more on trail concentrating on good technique and never more than say 75-80% max effort.
5. Big change to descending style. I used to go downhill virtually side on which no doubt put pressure more on the sides of ankles causing pain on the right side of both joints. I have now learnt to go downhill in a more forward facing style.
6. Fewer races - concentrate on the ones you enjoy and like doing but nothing too long until you are free from pain.

This may not sound like a bundle of fun but its gradually getting there. No doubt it would have been much quicker if I'd of abstained from running completely as my GP suggested, but I would be stir crazy within a week! However, I would say that my technique has actually improved and I am a better runner for it. Surprisingly my times have not suffered a great deal either. (Did a 10k last week and only a minute down on the same race the previous year when arguably I was the fittest I have been for a long while.)

Good luck!

Thank you very much for your advice Pete, what your suggesting makes perfect sense. Cyclops, I have just checked out that website and sat doing the excersises in front of the TV, they definitely work on the areas affected so will persevere and adjust my training and see how it goes, thanks for your help !!

I suspect this is peroneus tendonitis: http://www.firstaid4sport.co.uk/Pero...ealtendonitis/