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Sports Medicine A Crucial Period Good Pain, Bad Pain On Your Knees Secondary Injuries Imaging Technology What's Sciatica? The Female Athlete Putting Your Feet First Itis Schmitis Too Much, Too Soon Under the Influence Twisted What's Goin' On? Think Inches, Not Pounds Preventing Vaginitis That Painful Pull Athlete's Heart Exercise & Arthritis Chilled to the Bone Measuring Body Fat Exercise and Your Breasts Choosing a Sports Doctor Lean on Me (Shoulder) Exercise & Anemia Exercise Abuse Pelvis Sighting Hand Aid It's All in the Wrist Back in Action Altitude Adjustment Tennis Elbow, Anyone? Exercising in the Heat Agony of the Feet Restless Legs Night Time Cramps Birth Control Concerns No Periods, No Babies? Post Partum Prescription Weight Loss Mystery Undesirable Cooldown To Brew Or Not To Brew Fitness After Baby Biking and Back Pain Swimmer's Shoulder A Hidden Athlete Avoiding Osteoporosis Drug Testing Maximum Heart Rate Headway Against Headaches Torn Rotator Cuff Fat Figures SOS About PMS Bloody Urine Sag Story Lackluster Leg Bothersome Bulge Gaining in Years Taking It On the Shin Aching Ankles Hoop Help Tender Toes Meals For Muscle Growing Pains Hot Tips High Altitude PMS Personal Bests Air Pollution Ankle Blues Heartbreak Heel Yeast Relief |
Aching AnklesSprains and PainsQ: I am a 17year-old high school senior, and have played basketball and softball for 12 years. I've never had any problems with my ankles in softball, but for the last two years I have had endless sprains and twists playing basketball. Recently, during a basketball scrimmage, I experienced sharp pains and cramps in my ankle, even though I tape and brace my ankles and wear high-top shoes. Now I get these cramps when walking, too. What are they? And what can I do to stop them? Aching Ankles A: Welcome to the club! Many active people have had ankle injuries; they're the most common athletic injury. Basketball in particular is a sport that puts considerable stress on the ankle joint, since it involves rapid changes of direction and constant pounding on a hard surface. Most recurrent strains and sprains are due to a failure to properly rehabilitate the ankle before returning to action. After the muscles and tendons have been over-stretched and damaged, they need to "relearn" their limits and regain their strength within the proper range of motion. If they do not regain strength, the ankle will have a tendency to buckle, which will further stretch and tear the muscle and tendon. Recovery means much more than waiting for the pain and swelling to go away. It means undertaking a complete series of rehabilitative exercises to strengthen the ankle and foot to prevent future sprains. The most effective program is one that is individually tailored to you and your injury by an experienced physical therapist or athletic trainer. You must dedicate yourself to the rehab effort, making sure that your ankle regains its strength before putting it to the test again. What are some of the strengthening exercises you might be prescribed to do? |
Order Now! Table of Contents Foreword: Billie Jean King Comments by Barb Harris Editor in Chief, Shape Magazine
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