Ankles are the most frequently injured region of the body!
Ankles are great. They hold us up while we dance, they soften the impact of running and jumping, they even tolerate long hours in high heels. They are also the most frequently INJURED region of the human body. Yup, ankles are great.
Lateral ankle sprains are common in physically active people.
For dancers and other athletes, this can result in missed performances or competitions and thus potential loss of income.
While the symptoms of a simple sprain may resolve quickly, underlying instability may persist for years. Lack-of-pain is NOT an indicator of optimal function. In fact, research has shown that the leading risk for ankle sprains is having a previous ankle sprain. And those sprains can ultimately lead to a condition called chronic ankle instability (CAI).
Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI)
CAI develops following an ankle sprain that has not adequately healed or was not rehabilitated completely.
Chronic ankle instability is characterized by a recurring giving way of the outer (lateral) side of the ankle. Usually, the giving way occurs while walking or doing other activities, but it can also happen when you’re just standing. Proper rehabilitation after any ankle injury is vital in order to return to athletic activities.
Runner's Ankle
This is generally an overuse injury resulting from a combination of ankle sprains and Achilles tendinopathy.
The Achilles tendon is a tough band of tissue that runs along the back of the ankle. It connects the calf muscle to the heel bone and allows us to run, jump, or stand on our toes. Injury to the Achilles (aka tendinopathy) can happen slowly and silently as a result of overtraining. If you have pain in the back of your ankle (posterior) especially after running, it could be a sign of tendinopathy or runner’s ankle.
