Question
I am a runner and have had a long history of my ankles clicking with each step I take, running or walking. At times I would experience severe pain on the bottom of my foot(usually in my heel area) and I would stop running until the pain subsided. The last time this happened I thought it wise to finally see a podiatrist. I explained the problem I have had with heel pain plus the issue of my  ankles clicking when I walk/run. He took X-rays and ruled out a heel spur and said that the clicking is due to tendons improperly moving over the foot due to overpronation and attributed the heel pain to inflammation due to improper alignment of the ankle joint under loading conditions (i.e. walking running, standing). He advised a custom orthotic utilizing a laser scan of my foot. I obliged and have been wearing the orthotics for 2 weeks now and my ankles still click with every step and I have some discomfort in my heel. My doctor made adjustments once and added pads under the arches but still my ankles click. Are the orthotics not correcting my overpronation? or will it take time for my body to learn how to properly walk with the assistance of orthotics and eventually correct the tendons that are moving improperly? Am I risk of future arthritis in my ankles? I just want to run again and be free of the clicking noise as it is embarrassing and frustrating. Thank you.

Answer
This Chicago, South Loop & Elmhurst Orthopedic Podiatrist of AnklenfootCenters.com says.......

Dear Doug
The clicking noise in your ankles may be due to tenosynovitis of the tendons that pass around your ankle. The "clicking" in your foot are caused by inflammation on the tendons. These tendon inflammations take time to quiet down-and may benefit with physical therapy.
Try warming up your ankles with ankle rotations and stretches before your erunning.
For now try PRICE
Protect-Wear an ankle brace around the ankle and limit the movements that aggravate it.
Rest-Speaks for itself--rest it.
Ice- Will help if the ankle is painful.Ice after running
Compress-Ace wrap  or ankle sleeve
Elevate-Will help if the ankle throbs or swells at the end of the day.
Go to our website store at AnkleNFoot.com for examples of wraps, sleeves or supports for your ankle.
Sometimes orthotics can only do so much-depending on the amount of over-pronation-and adjunctive treatment may be necessary-Such as braces, different orthotics-or surgery.
If in doubt-seek a second opinion
Hope This Helps!
and
Good Luck!

The podiatrists of AnkleNFootCenters.com are specialists in foot& ankle fractures.
We are Podiatrists in Chicago & Elmhurst
Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

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