Ankle Sprains

Symptoms: Ankle sprains are often the result of a twisting or rolling of your ankle. You'll notice pain above the ankle bone.

Cause: Ankle sprains occur because runners don't always watch where they are going and they step off a curb into a pothole and twist their ankle. The injury is also common in runners who run on soft or uneven surfaces.

Treatment: If you twist your ankle, the first thing to do is to stop running. It's safe to resume running if the pain disappears completely after walking for a few minutes. If the pain doesn't go away, stop your run. To reduce pain and swelling, ice the area as soon as possible and elevate your ankle. Keep ice on the swollen area for 20 minutes every 4 to 6 hours. Continue icing for 2 to 3 days if the pain persists. When you're not icing it, wrap your ankle with an elastic bandage for support. If swelling lasts for more than 2 to 3 days, get an x-ray to rule out the possibility of a fracture.