I have always been a power walker. Over the last month, I have been mixing in running, trying to get more out of my exercise (and stretching.) Well, I have also started a new job were I am standing on a hard floor for hours on end. I have good running shoes but my work shoes aren’t the best. Obviously I need new work shoes.
Well my ankles hurt really bad. They hurt especially from the top part of my foot to the lower part of my shin… or the “front” of my ankle.
I take hot baths to soak them. Are there any joint supplements I can take? Any super secret stretches? Any help is appreciated.
I would look at tendinitis. Do some research online see if your symptoms match up. Ive read you can get it in your ankles. Ive had it in my elbow. Less activity, ice and anti inflammatories are the cure.
New work shoes won’t compensate for standing for hours on end. That’s a lot of stress to put on your body. I used to work in a grocery store and, even though they had squishy mats for the employees and I was a young in-shape 18 year old, it was still hell.
You need to see a doctor and rule out a more serious condition–like shin splints. For now, you probably need to focus on resting more and using them less.
Since the OP is looking for advice, this is best suited to IMHO.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
If it does turn out to be shin splints, I recommend ART. Try ice over hot baths, if the area is inflammed, the heat it just making it worse.
I would get it checked out first just to rule out anything not fixable with ice, stretching, anti-inflammatories and a change of shoes. You never know, and trying to self-diagnose can get you into worse pain that could take you out of work for a while.
I work on hard floors (epoxy over concrete) and you can pry my Dansko’s out of my cold, dead hands. They’re entirely rubber-soled, and thick. They’re not totally cute shoes, but worn by a large portion of medical and restaurant workers. They’re not all that comfortable for long walking (I walk 4-6 blocks total for my commute), so I change into them at work. I had problems with my feet for a few years, thinking the “better” running shoes I was using were plenty, but the switch to the Dansko’s was like night and day. They tend to run over $100, but you can dig around and find discontinued and older models on clearance for half off.
I don’t know if this is an option for you but I used to have bad ankle pains and I found that switching from regular shoes to workboots was a big help. Unlike the shoes, the boots went up above my ankles and gave them support when I was walking.
Great advice all. There is no pain “to the touch” so that is good. I am gonna rest and I started taking ibuprofen. The pain has eased up. Many people wear Danskos were I work and have thought about it. I can’t afford any right now so that isn’t an option. I am going to stop working out for a while and rest my legs when not at work.
I have a pair of Red Wing boots that need resoled (those soles wear out too fast!) but I might start wearing those. That idea of ankle support is good. Boots are just so bulky to wear indoors though.
Oh yes indeedy. I’ve done PT for knee / shoulder issues and they were very explicit “heat = bad”.
As lovely as it felt to soak in the hotel’s hot tub once when I was travelling… my knees made me pay for that for several weeks.
Compression socks can help with shin splints, as long as you have no medical contraindications.
IME, ice is good to reduce inflammation, and heat is good for loosening things up and promoting blood flow to aid healing.
Different treatments for different problems.
-D/a