Expert: Dr. Paul Newhart - 9/21/2007

Question

Question   Hello Dr O'Brien,

All these days I used to run on the treadmill in the gym but I like to run around my univ campus nowadays..

just about a week ago I wasnt able to run because the bone just below where the Achilles tendon (beside the ankle) ends hurts a bit(only on the right leg)..so I'm not able to run..I am sure its the bone which hurts as there is no muscle or ligament over there..

I dont think its because of faulty shoe design ,but I dont have any recurrence of me getting a knock either..

I dont know what that bone is called ...may be its talus or calcaneus.....

it hurts everytime I try to run

I apply ice every now and then but how long would it take to heal.

it hurts when i try to touch it..its been about more than 10 days and pain has subsided a bit

does it take a long time for a knock on the bone to heal?  

Answer
If you are running on a road, the angle of the road can make the legs, heels, etc. hurt.  There is a crown from middle to edge to aid in water runoff, so you get an uneven surface running.  This page http://www.aafp.org/afp/980201ap/wexler.html gives a very good view of the ligaments in that area.  It sounds as if you have a sprain/strain.  If it hasn't improved in the last 10 days, you may want to see you family doctor, or a chiropractor for treatment.