Running Question — Ankle Lockup

I'm interested to know if they then unlock, and allow you to continue running?

And are you a previous runner, or have you recently take it up?

Rod

Rod — I've never been much of a runner. I like to do a 2 mile run two times a week in the AM.
I can't stand running. Anyway, this has dropped to nothing since I usually have to stop.
This started a year or two ago, first infrequent and now frequent. Once they unlock, I cannot start again, they will freeze up. I think running is done.

Hi Tim,

When you say your ankles eventually "unlock," what loosens up? Do you have tight calves? When you run, do you land more on your forefoot or more on your heel?

Mike

First question is going to be, where is the tightness? There are a number of tendons that run from the foot and through the ankle up the leg. The one I'd suspect first is the FHL which starts at your big toe, runs through your heal (under your achilles tendon) and up the back of your leg to your knee.

Mine is abraded and periodically swells in my left foot. When this happens my ankle cannot move, but I feel tightness in my big toe.

The achilles tendon on the other hand does not anchor past the heal. My understanding is that it runs outside the ankle as well so even if it shouldn't lock your ankle up.

PF can make people do strange things too, but never heard of it affect an ankle like this.

1. Stop running for now.
2. Go see a sports medicine MD.