Why am i getting so many injuries these days?

Been getting out runnning a bit lately found a nice little circuit, first two or three weeks were fine, then for no reason my ankle swelled right up, it happened on saturday night when i'd been for a run that morning, no pain, no sign of anything untoward, woke up in pain with it on the sunday morning, this has happened on 3 or 4 occasions. Since then it's been one thing after another, that cleared up after a week or so, so went out again, second run, calf strain, cleared up again after a weeks rest and just went out for another run, streached properly and felt really good, when 18 minutes in, ping, calf goes again, hobbled home. No warning, no pain and as i say today felt really good and was running absolutely fine. Any advice chaps?

Been getting out runnning a bit lately found a nice little circuit, first two or three weeks were fine, then for no reason my ankle swelled right up, it happened on saturday night when i'd been for a run that morning, no pain, no sign of anything untoward, woke up in pain with it on the sunday morning, this has happened on 3 or 4 occasions. Since then it's been one thing after another, that cleared up after a week or so, so went out again, second run, calf strain, cleared up again after a weeks rest and just went out for another run, streached properly and felt really good, when 18 minutes in, ping, calf goes again, hobbled home. No warning, no pain and as i say today felt really good and was running absolutely fine. Any advice chaps?

Probably best to go to specialist running store Turks and they can analyse your gait.

I've had a random problem with my left knee which started occuring a couple of years ago when using the treadmill in the gym (which is quite high impact). Would be absolutely fine most of the time, but on occassion, a day or two after exercise, I would get some pretty bad pain on outside of my knee which made it difficult to even walk on. That could last up to a fortnight or so and pretty much put a stop to any cardio exercise during that time. Was also having a few calf strains and ankle pains on same leg.

Anyways, I went to a running shop and turns out out that I have pronation of left foot - just turns inwards when running. That was putting a lot of strain on my left knee (hence the pain), but they recommended some proper shoes designed for my running stance and it has definitely improved the problem. Would recommend going to one if you haven't already...

Have there been any significant changes to diet, lifestyle etc recently?

I'm guessing you have never had injury issues at any point in your life before (very fortunate if so) I have to ask the question, how old are you? Also, what kind of rest interval do you leave yourself between workouts?

Have there been any significant changes to diet, lifestyle etc recently?

 

I'm guessing you have never had injury issues at any point in your life before (very fortunate if so) I have to ask the question, how old are you?

Only stopping drinking during the week!!

I'm 36, when i was 21 i got a bad ankle injury that ultimately led to my retirement from football, got my studs caught on a muddy pitch, went over on my ankle and tore the ligaments badly, couldn't play for about 5 months and i never really got back into it properly after that, always had a weakness there since then and from time to time that does flare up, so wonder if its related to that.

As for pulls and strains, no never had a problem with them at all.

Probably best to go to specialist running store Turks and they can analyse your gait.

 

I've had a random problem with my left knee which started occuring a couple of years ago when using the treadmill in the gym (which is quite high impact). Would be absolutely fine most of the time, but on occassion, a day or two after exercise, I would get some pretty bad pain on outside of my knee which made it difficult to even walk on. That could last up to a fortnight or so and pretty much put a stop to any cardio exercise during that time. Was also having a few calf strains and ankle pains on same leg.

 

Anyways, I went to a running shop and turns out out that I have pronation of left foot - just turns inwards when running. That was putting a lot of strain on my left knee (hence the pain), but they recommended some proper shoes designed for my running stance and it has definitely improved the problem. Would recommend going to one if you haven't already...

This sounds like a good idea. When a mate looked for trainers for the GNR they told him his running style was all wrong and it helped him.

Only stopping drinking during the week!!

 

I'm 36, when i was 21 i got a bad ankle injury that ultimately led to my retirement from football, got my studs caught on a muddy pitch, went over on my ankle and tore the ligaments badly, couldn't play for about 5 months and i never really got back into it properly after that, always had a weakness there since then and from time to time that does flare up, so wonder if its related to that.

 

As for pulls and strains, no never had a problem with them at all.

If it is the same ankle then you may be onto something. I have suffered from inflammation in my own left ankle after training recently and that suffered a rather nasty sprain back in 2011.

Totally echo the comments about gait analysis, helped me massively when training for the GSR/Malta Half Marathon.

If it is the same ankle then you may be onto something. I have suffered from inflammation in my own left ankle after training recently and that suffered a rather nasty sprain back in 2011.

 

Totally echo the comments about gait analysis, helped me massively when training for the GSR/Malta Half Marathon.

there was a suggestion the ankle problem, as it's not the first time its happened, might be gout.

The strains are a real pain, especially today when i was feeling really good, just came with no warning. Obviously some issue as it's the same leg everytime, which is the opposite one to the ankle.

there was a suggestion the ankle problem, as it's not the first time its happened, might be gout.

 

The strains are a real pain, especially today when i was feeling really good, just came with no warning. Obviously some issue as it's the same leg everytime, which is the opposite one to the ankle.

I started taking magnesium supplements to help with muscle tightness during my training, it might help ease things.

there was a suggestion the ankle problem, as it's not the first time its happened, might be gout.

 

The strains are a real pain, especially today when i was feeling really good, just came with no warning. Obviously some issue as it's the same leg everytime, which is the opposite one to the ankle.

It's worth looking at seeing someone that knows what they are talking about.

I knackered my Achilles in my teens. Pretty nasty injury for a wannabe footballer (I was never remotely near good enough anyway) and cross-country runner (was better at this, still not exactly great though). After several reoccurences of the initial injury, I started to get shin splints, knee trouble and hip troubles regularly.

Basically, I had started running like an idiot to try and protect my achilles - hence causing an injury.

You're like an old Lion desperately trying to cling onto his pride. Your mane is mangy and your teeth are falling out.

Time to step a side and leave it to the young pretenders.

there was a suggestion the ankle problem, as it's not the first time its happened, might be gout.

 

The strains are a real pain, especially today when i was feeling really good, just came with no warning. Obviously some issue as it's the same leg everytime, which is the opposite one to the ankle.

Sounds like your body is very subtley trying to compensate for the ankle issue which is causing the calf strains.

What sort of surface are you running on?

Sounds like your body is very subtley trying to compensate for the ankle issue which is causing the calf strains.

 

What sort of surface are you running on?

This. I did ankle ligaments 2 years ago and kept getting odd pulls and strains that come and go. Physio tells me I'm compensating without realising it.

I'm managing it with good sports injury massages, kinesiology tape and properly fitted running shoes which suit my gait.

well ive just done a pretty intense 45 min spin class and the calf was fine, it was a little sore this morning and was 50/50 if i should so it or not, if anything it feels better now. So it's definitely running related, it only happens when i run.

well ive just done a pretty intense 45 min spin class and the calf was fine, it was a little sore this morning and was 50/50 if i should so it or not, if anything it feels better now. So it's definitely running related, it only happens when i run.

it has to be the impact part of running.

I get a calf pains now and then, what works for me is doing no phys for a week.

well ive just done a pretty intense 45 min spin class and the calf was fine, it was a little sore this morning and was 50/50 if i should so it or not, if anything it feels better now. So it's definitely running related, it only happens when i run.

how much do you weigh Turks? What pace are you running, what shoes are you using ? The fact that it's continual calf strains must mean that either your heel is going down too far on strike (which could mean that your shoes are too flat or too supple for your weight or just f*cked from overuse in general) or that your going up on your toes too much on pushoff. For the ankle swelling that would need medical investigation if it continues because it could be circulatory or even excessive Urea build up.

Some people's feet and ankles swell up just from sitting down for too long at a time due to poor circulation but running shouldn't cause that, you could always try compression socks though if it occurs again, see if that makes a difference, especially with winter coming on, I use them from October to March but then it's always brass monkeys around here in that period.

it has to be the impact part of running.

I get a calf pains now and then, what works for me is doing no phys for a week.

If it's impact try running on softer ground, grass or woodland paths.

You're like an old Lion desperately trying to cling onto his pride. Your mane is mangy and your teeth are falling out.

 

Time to step a side and leave it to the young pretenders.

This, basically. You're no longer an alpha-male, more like a pi-man. Once you get over 35 everything stiffens up and you lose your elasticity. How about a nice gentle stroll instead, possibly in your slippers?