Persistent lower leg edema and ankle weakness

Question:

Persistent lower leg edema and ankle weakness

I completed an Ironman two months ago. Two days after the race I had significant pitting edema in my legs, ankles and feet. After a week the swelling reduced enough to wear shoes.

I took about a month off of training.

Over the last few weeks I have been swimming, cycling, yoga and strength training. I still, however, cannot run. Whenever I try to run my ankles feel very stiff and the edema returns. I am also unable to wear high heel shoes without these symptoms reappearing.

A bone scan came back negative for a stress fracture. Blood work to test my kidneys, liver, heart, etc. was also normal.

I do not have any pain in my ankles, just weakness, poor shock absorption and instability in heels, walking down stairs, etc.

I'm fairly sure that the problem stems from a combination of tight calves and too much hill and trail running in my training for the Ironman.

Is this a sprain? Tendonitis? Stress reaction of the bone? And other than icing and stretching (which I do religiously) what can I do? Is it ok to run on it or do I need to wait until I'm symptom free?

Asked by laurayost - 0 answers - 7 weeks 6 days ago