Turning Ankle

[Old_Geezer]

Not really looking for cures so much as information. I am curious as it can be a pain, both literally and mentally.

All my life I seem to recall I have weak ankles. It may be only the one side, I've not kept a diary to check. For most of it I've been aware that occasionally a foot will go over, sole to inside, top to outside, as if the sole of one foot wishes to look at the other foot :-)

I jest but it can be anything from a while feeling tender to getting a large swelling and hobbling around for days or weeks.

I've noticed I've experienced it less since stopping work, but maybe that's because I'm getting no exercise walking into and out of work (or any other exercise if I'm being honest). At least it reduces the chance of it occurring and me going flying over as I rush across a busy road.

I'm wondering why it occurs. It seems impossible to get into that position when the ankle is "behaving" itself. And even though I'm not looking for cures as mentioned, any advice on making it rarer would be welcome.

What I have found occurs sometimes now though, is the ankle giving no support when I rise up from somewhere. I'm getting older now, I don't always wake as late in the morning as I should, so can feel tired a lot of the day; so on occasion I've been known to try to take a nap in the early afternoon. I did so yesterday, led on the settee and had about 20 minutes snooze. After I was getting up, still feeling drowsy, I put my foot on the floor and there was no support. The foot was just going over. Me not being totally 'with it' I just raised the foot and tried again; and it again just went over. It makes one feel one may never stand again.

After the second failure I became alert enough to realise the issue and stop trying, and after a while of holding and rubbing my ankle I tentatively retried and that time all was well: but I went about very carefully for quite a while afterwards, half expecting it to go again. I think it felt a little "asleep" too when it was playing up, but that may be the affect of it failing to hold up rather than a cause.

Anyone have info/advice/whatever ?

[Sqad]

No magical advice from this side of the water i'm afraid.
From your long and involved post, it may well have been that one of your hips may have been "out of line" all your life )Perthes disease or Congenital dislocation ) and you have suffered a lifetime of unusual and unnatural strain on your ankles which from time to time have subjected you to recurrent inversion strains to the extent that you now have weak ligaments and an unstable ankle joint which is not going to get better.
Sprained ankles...seriously painful.
As one gets older and less....active, then you may well find that your ankle "goes over" less often.
If it is a bother to you, i would let a qualified physiotherapist have a look and give you more informed advice, than I can supply.

[Old_Geezer]

Cheers.

I have a tendency to fail to be succinct ;-)

Maybe if it gets more regular I'll enquire about a physiotherapist, perhaps via my GP.

[murraymints]

wear a wee ankle support bandage thing...they just pull on..

[Old_Geezer]

If it gets really bad I shall give that a thought. Thanks. Presently incidents tend to be separated by enough time for me to forget about them; but after one or more I tend to be very aware for a while.

[murraymints]

I have a weak wrist which collapses from time to time..no idea why and I whip on a doodah for a few days to help it get strong again...

[derekpara]

As another ' Old Geezer' I wish you well, OG.

No advice, I'm afraid, just a thought; depending on your vintage, how did you manage on National Service ?

Cheers.

D

[Old_Geezer]

I managed to miss that, I may not be quite so vintage as some assume ;-)

[Mamyalynne]

Research ankle strengthening exercises, you aren't going to repair any long term instability but may build up a bit more strength in the area.

[Old_Geezer]

Cheers; will do.

[Old_Geezer]

Darn it ! How does one manage to actually do what one is supposed to instead of looking things up, thinking they look a good idea, and then forgetting to do more ? :-(

[MDWCT2018]

I'm not sure what the cause of your ankle issues is, but when I was at ballet school we had a particular exercise to strengthen ankles....

Stand with feet flat, arms by side and close your eyes. Balance on one foot for up to one min( lift to just above ankle height) and repeat on other side. Remember to keep your eyes closed throughout.

Though difficult, this is really the best way to progressively build strength in ankles

[Old_Geezer]

Cheers.

It has behaved itself of late, I'm happy to say.