I seem to be very prone to high ankle sprains. Probably from years of pronating and bad run technique…who knows…
Because of an injury to my post tib after a running race, I saw physio, and then an orthopedic surgeon, had xrays, etc., and they basically determined that the two bones that hold the talus in position are spread out further than they should be (but not enough to warrant surgery, etc), thus causing me to be prone to high ankle sprains, etc. Said I have ‘special needs’ ankles…
At the time, the only thing the physio told me to do in terms of support was to tape my ankle before running. But the tape job she has me doing seems somewhat minimal.
Basically, it is just putting a wrap of tape around the lower part of my leg, just above the ankle. Nothing else. No figure 8 under/around the foot, etc., just that one band of tape around my lower leg.
I still find my ankles and lower legs are paining often. Is there a more robust tape job I can do, and still be able to run with it in place?
I’ve googled, youtube’d, etc., but I can’t find much that is both specific to high ankle sprains, and also for use during running, not just recovery.
Maybe try one of those stretchy ankle sleeve brace things, cheaper and re-usable, also might give a bit more support than just a few pieces of tape.
I’ve actually tried that sort of thing in the past and found they were too stretchy. The bulkier ones that you could tighten were just too bulky to even get into a pair of running shoes, etc.
But thanks for the suggestion.
Cheers
Typical ankle taping (i.e. Gibney basket weave, etc.) are for lateral ankle instability, not talar instability from your widenend ankle joint mortise that you are describing. You would likely need the more aggressive lace up type braces for that, but then mostly can’t tolerate that for long distance running since they limit dorsi/plantarflexion so much in addition to the inversion control desired.
Taping would be your best best if done right - esp since you get some proprioceptive feedback that might be beneficial. But you would be using LOTS of tape each time. Think I might get a 2nd opinion regarding ankle stabilization surgery?
Well that is the sort of thing I am looking to use. What I’m not sure about is the method. Looking for a good guide of how to do a supportive wrap, using that sort of tape, while running.
…Taping would be your best best if done right - esp since you get some proprioceptive feedback that might be beneficial. But you would be using LOTS of tape each time. Think I might get a 2nd opinion regarding ankle stabilization surgery?
Can you recommend a particular taping pattern??
I’d rather not have surgery… If that were the eventual solution, do they basically use a screw to bring the supporting bones closer together? What is the typical outcome in terms of the ability to run after this kind of surgery?
Thx!
You will want “more” than the KT or Rocktape (or Spidertech). You need actual, physical support, not just the proprioceptive feedback that the new taping methods are designed too provide. Think NFL lineman being taped up
As for how to tape, you will have to try (can google Gibney basketweave for a starter) and see how much you can tolerate running in.
Surgery would traditionally be a trans-syndesmotic screw that you are describing. But there are newer alternatives as well, such as the “Tightrope” procedure. Should not have any issues running after - the joint itself is not violated. However, that chronic instability from a widened ankle moritse will lead to early arthritis and that will have an effect later on.
Rod, I just wanted to thank you for jumping into many of these threads on lower limb issues. No one is asking you to do this, but you keep offering a lot of valuable free advice to everyone. As someone who has had a variety of foot issues since I was 8 years old, I learn something new every day…either what could have been done better in the past, or what I may need to do in the future.
Slowman should be paying you for these services to the community! Great work!
Rod, I just wanted to thank you for jumping into many of these threads on lower limb issues…
+1!
I live on the east coast of Canada, so not that many orthopedic surgeons to consult with. The one I saw is quite well respected. He actually stood in the xray room with me, flexed my ankles in a few different positions for the images, and read them right away. Right away he felt that surgery was not needed, but who knows. I have the option of following up with him via my physio clinic (otherwise you would normally wait months - year to see a specialist in Canada…), so may do that.
I’ve got one ankle that has been broke once. Sprained at least a dozen times.
Very very gimpy.
I like to trail run a bit and this causes problems for me as the technical nature of the trails would frequently end with sprained ankle.
After a bit of research found the asos ankle brace. Have since ran several 50k’s with it and it works wonderfully. Much cheaper (and easier) than applying massive amounts of athletic tape IMO.
If that were the eventual solution, do they basically use a screw to bring the supporting bones closer together? What is the typical outcome in terms of the ability to run after this kind of surgery?