Overpronation, runners and ankles

RentDayBlues

Not looking for medical advice, just wondering if anyone else has experienced the same issue. Apologies for long post.

Been running properly again since August last year, just 5ks and then some longer distances more recently but nothing over 10k. I also workout 7 days per week at home (HIIT) and bootcamp 2 nights per week.

Had a pair of asics gel innovate 7 which had worn through the toes so treated myself to another pair of asics, the next level up. Was wearing them for running and HIIT and old asics for bootcamp. Some initial shinsplint pain but it disappeared after about 3 weeks.

3 weeks later the new asics developed at hole in the toe also so brought them back. Did a gait analysis and tried on some different pairs, eventually settling on mens asics kayaono 23 (I'm female). They are slightly longer and wider than female version. Happy days.

Wore them that day for a 5k walk to break them in, all seemed fine. Went to bootcamp that night in old asics, ankle started to feel niggly. Next morning could not bear weight on the ankle and it was swollen, just like a sprain. I layed off the exercise and followed RICE. Joint is still stiff first thing in the morning but feels better 2 weeks on. Was hoping things get back to running but now wearing the runners for walking they feel painful on the arches, almost like I'm wearing an insole.

Any opinions on whether it's my crap muscles or could the new runners be to blame, which I still haven't run in yet I'm waiting on physio to call back as well

freemenfitness

When you run do you heel strike or run on the balls of your feet? Have you spent any time with a running coach?

I used to get shin splints running but spent a lot of time learning how to run and strengthening my ankles. No shoe will help with bad form only delay the injury.

Alf Veedersane

Where did you get the gait analysis done? If it was a shoe shop, I'm not sure how much faith I'd have in how thorough it was.

RentDayBlues

Thanks to both of you for replies.

I haven't run with a coach so no formal review of my style, analysis was done in elverys.

I definitely have a tendency to go in on my ankle when walking and running. My running style is weird as I recently saw a video of it by chance and it looked so strange, definitely striking with ball of foot first and my feet are slightly sprayed out. I also look like I run from my knees down with my upper legs remaining stationary.

I've had issues with hips, knees and ankles following football injuries and pregnancy, but on my left side, this is all my right.

The 2 pairs of asics I got previously were great in terms of support, but the toe coming through issue is a pain, hence going up half a size.

It's all so annoying as I was really getting in my stride with getting back to running and having had achilles issues previously on other ankle I know how long/painful ankle issues can be.

Do I persevere and hope the runners settle or cut my loss and go back (again)

Alf Veedersane

Amphibian King have places in Ballymount and Bray. They're a well regarded place for gait analysis. You're under no obligation to buy. They may concur with Elverys but if you've had problems with new shoes, they might be able to identify something that Elverys didn't because they have more experienced staff in gait analysis. Or they might concur with Elverys and the problem isn't directly to do with runners but the pain you're now getting is a symptom of something else that has manifested itself since you started wearing new runners..

RentDayBlues

Thanks Alf Veedersane, I am of the opinion myself that it's my body at fault not the runners! Too many years spent it poor footwear

Alf Veedersane

RentDayBlues wrote: »

Thanks Alf Veedersane, I am of the opinion myself that it's my body at fault not the runners! Too many years spent it poor footwear

I've trained for and run a marathon in the worst runners possible. The sole was well worn to one side and they weren't for 'good' wear anymore so i started running in them. It took it's toll but I sorted that out when i became aware of the importance of proper runners for running.

It may be that the runners aren't at fault but if they'ren ot a good fit, they'll exacerbate the problem. The right fit might also aggravate a problem but then that just means you go to a physio and have it assessed, address the issues and when that's done, the right-fit runners will serve you well when you get back to running.

freemenfitness

From the sound of things I may well be an issue with your gait especially with the list of injuries you have mentioned. If your landing heavily onto your heel whilst running the force will travel into the ankle hips and knees also. Think about how you stop yourself quickly, the heel slams down first. It might be best to take some time off find someone who is knowledgeable in running technique to assess how you run and perhaps see a good physio to help deal with any underlying issues that might be causing these injuries.

RentDayBlues

Thank you to everyone, really good points there. Spoke to physio earlier who believes it's probably underlying issues but that I do need to consider the runners too. Will actually visit physio next week. Feeling better today and chanced a little running which didn't hurt and so far no major swelling

rustynutz

Are the new asic runners the ones with the grey colour on the sides of the sole for extra arch support? I had something similar a few years ago, was running regularly without any injuries, decided to treat myself to a pair of new running shoes, into elverys and they convinced me to get my gait checked on their fancy treadmill with a camera hooked up..they said I needed extra arch support so I leave the shop with a shiny new pair of runners with the grey block on the side of the sole that shows that there is extra arch support.

It all went downhill from there, I started getting a burning sensation in my arches after a run, followed by a burning sensation pretty much all the time, specially in the morning, spend hundreds on a physio, he diagnosed planter faciatice - inflammation of the thick band of tendons that make up the sole of your feet.after about 6 months of pain and physio I eventually got custom made orthodics, which I still wear now, this cured it but there was about a year before I was right again.

I'm cant say for definite I wouldn't have had this problem it I hadn't bought the asics with extra arch support, but it certainly bought it on. When you are putting a lot of mileage on your feet through running I wouldn't (in future) make any changes to footwear without professional advice

RentDayBlues

Thanks to everyone for the advice. Saw physio this morning and have a touch of posterior tibial tendonitis, not shoe related but more likely related to my crap hips/knees/body in gnenral! She was good and diagnosed a lot of posture issues that are knocking everything out. No running for next 3 weeks and then reassess

freemenfitness

Great job seeing a physio to get things sorted really the best course of action to fix the machine rather than just trying new tires