Like most runners, when things go wrong, we try to figure things out ourselves. With all the running we do, we begin to learn things about our bodies and how things work. Granted, there’s no replacement for a physician’s diagnosis – but most of the time, we can come up with our own.

I took 5 days off recently for a ache/pain/tightness I was feeling in my right ankle. Personally, this injury was something new that I’ve never experienced before. To put it in general terms, it’s an ache I’m feeling on the top of my ankle as it connects toward my shin. It isn’t a sharp pain but sometimes feels like a weakness in the ankle. It doesn’t necessarily affect my running but it’s a discomfort that is unsettling at times.

After some time off, I then went out and put my ankle to the test with an easy 5-mile run. After an easy first mile and no sign of the pain, I mixed up my paces to test it under different circumstance. I didn’t feel anything during my run but it has showed up again a day later. This got me wondering and I did a little internet exploring.

My unprofessional diagnosis is a Superior Extensor Retinaculum Injury. Defined by Podiatry Today, “it’s a overuse injury in athletes where chronic tendinitis can occur above the superior extensor retinaculum in the musculotendinous junction. This condition is closely related to abnormal biomechanics and excessive pronation.” I am an overpronater so this fits right in with the diagnosis. They suggest using the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) treatment for this injury – which pretty much covers 90% of running injuries that I’ve encountered.

As with all injuries, if this worsens, I will seek medical help. Until then I’ll resume my taper and hope that with a little TLC that it will work itself out. After 700+ miles and no previous injuries this year, I guess I can expect an overuse injury. It also has told me that after the Walt Disney World Marathon that it’s time for a little rest before I crank it up again next year.

RMFR

Tags: Compress, Elevate, Ice, Podiatry Today, Rest, RICE, Running Injury, Superior Extensor Retinaculum Injury, taper, TLC, Walt Disney World Marathon

This entry was posted on Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 9:18 am and is filed under Injury, Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.