Common Ankle Injuries
Here are guidelines for the ankle injuries doctors see most often:
Achilles tendonitis
What goes wrong: Tendons lose their elasticity with age, making them vulnerable to irritation and inflammation.
Who gets it: Runners, especially older ones. Ramping up the volume or intensity—especially by running hills—can lead to Achilles problems.
Ways to prevent it: Stretch your calves—ask a trainer to teach you how to stretch the soleus, the smaller muscle that runs down the back of your calf.
How to fix it: Rest. Use ice and possibly anti-inflammatories.
The latest treatment: Research suggests that "eccentric training" using heavy loads—in this case, certain calf exercises that lengthen the muscles as they are trying to contract—can improve the pain and disability of Achilles tendinitis.
Click on the links below for guidelines on other common sports injuries:
Back Injuries • Elbow Injuries • Hip Injuries • Knee Injuries • Shoulder Injuries
Exercise Guide Special Report • More From Health
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