Overused Ankle

General information

Tendon overuse can occur in many different places, including the ankle. Tendon disorders can occur in 5 different stages, but not every stage has to pass. Most of these problems arise gradually. 

• When you're starting your workout you might experience pain, but this pain disappears after a short while of moving. After your training, the pain will return and last longer, most times until tomorrow.
• After working out or moving in general, you experience stiffness, fatigue and pain that lasts several hours.
• The pain is present while working out and lasts the entire day. Only long-term rest can positively influence these pains.
• The pain is so severe that working out is impossible.
• You're in a lot of pain, even when you're not active. Even long-term rest won't influence the pain anymore.

Sometimes, an X-ray can expose a calcific deposit. If the overuse is chronic, the tendon can become so weak that a tear can occur.

Causes

There are many things that can cause tendon complaints, a number of examples below:

• Movement limitation of the ankle
• Weak muscles
• Hard surface
• Shorter muscles
• Insufficient warming-up and/or cooling-down
• Obesity
• Overuse due to heavy, irregular and too much training
• Poor footwear
• Incorrect foot stance caused by a leg length discrepancy or flat feet
• Insufficient shock-absorption in the insole and heel of your shoe
• Training inspite of feeling pain
• Instability

Depending on the cause of the complaints, a specialist will make a treatment schedule. It often happens that a brace is recommended for these problems. For example, we have the Bauerfeind MalleoTrain Plus Ankle Support and the Gladiator Lightweight Ankle Support with Straps to help you when you have overused your ankle.