Outer Calf/Ankle Pain

[GrassChop]

Morning all!

In the last couple of months, I have started to get horrendous pain in both legs around my ankle/outer calf area when riding, not in the joint.

Initially, I thought it was the stirrups so I bought some wide tread Compositi Reflex ones but these made me feel a bit unbalanced and didn't change anything, used them a few times to try. So I thought maybe it was my boots. They are 3 years old and unfortunately, I've put on a little bit of weight which I'm in the process of shifting so assumed because they are little tighter, they're causing the issue as they're a bit more restrictive. I rode in my country boots instead as these are roomier which alleviated the pressure loads but not completely, so I assumed it was the previous boots but pain from the strain before that wasn't healed yet.

As I don't want those for riding, I thought I'd try short boots and chaps as it'll give me the flexibility. This still hurt and didn't solve the issue so it was becoming a nightmare. I bought new long boots but wider which I've been using up until now to break in, still in pain but they haven't settled yet so hard to tell. I tried longer stirrups which hurt more for some reason. As I've had this saddle since April with no problems until now, I thought I'd just try my previous one to see if it makes any difference but it didn't. Though at this point, I'm not sure if they are just awfully strained and need time to recover now. I'm going to give myself a couple of weeks off for them to get better and then try again but I'm not sure whether to continue to use my old saddle (only changed as wanted leather) and see how it goes or try again in the current one as I'm just not sure what is causing it now. If the change of boots seemed to solve it mostly before, maybe it really is only that and nothing else but is there something else that can be done to help alleviate the pressure? I've never had this before and just want to ride comfortably. The pain is worse when I'm out of the seat and gets so bad, they just cease up so I can't move them without sickening agony so I've only been managing 20 minute rides.

Sbloom has already given me some great advice but thought I'd just see if anyone else has had the same issue and some advice. Thank you.

 

[GrassChop]

Forgot I posted this thread.
I got a new saddle in October and it helped a lot. Hadn't been getting any ankle pain really but only riding once a week for about 45 minutes, moderate amount of faster paced work and trotting which was the cause of the pain before because of the strain in my ankle when out of the saddle.

Since the clocks changed, I started riding a bit more and found my left ankle starting to ache more towards the end of the ride but nothing like before.

Yesterday I did quite a fast paced ride and felt my ankle starting to ache. It then just gave up completely to the point I couldn't hold my foot flat anymore, it just kept rolling inwards like it was dislocated. It was agony. Even trying to trot and rise out the saddle, it rolled in like I had no control over it. I still had feeling in my foot.

I don't know what to do, I've forked out on some secondhand Bow Balance stirrups because I just don't know what to try now. I want to ride more but I'm worried that this is going to stop me being able to.

I looked back and always had a problem with this left ankle. It used to feel locked when I first got in the saddle but it went after about 10 minutes. This is horrible and I want to do longer rides without being in pain.

 

[Uliy]

I have the same thing and, after having taken up rider Pilates and done some mechanical horse lessons, discovered that for me, it is actually a good thing! I know what you mean though and it can be incredibly painful.

have you started riding in a different (i.e better) way? If so you might be are like me and just have weak muscles there that need to build up. An exercise I can recommend to get stronger is moving your foot from side to side (off the horse), which you should feel in the sore muscle. Hopefully it goes away soon!

 

[GrassChop]

I have the same thing and, after having taken up rider Pilates and done some mechanical horse lessons, discovered that for me, it is actually a good thing! I know what you mean though and it can be incredibly painful.

have you started riding in a different (i.e better) way? If so you might be are like me and just have weak muscles there that need to build up. An exercise I can recommend to get stronger is moving your foot from side to side (off the horse), which you should feel in the sore muscle. Hopefully it goes away soon!

Thank you! I'll try the exercise, it feels very sore when I move it around but it does feel muscular.
I used to ride a lot more so perhaps it is just that it's weak. I'm worried it's not fixable as I've always had issues with the joint but this is different.

 

[lynz88]

I rode in a new (on trial) saddle today and my left ankle was the same. My left side is much, much weaker than my right with all of my problems and my own initial thinking was that it needs quite a lot of strengthening and you may be in the same boat. I will also take extra care with my orb ball and roller on my calf/lower ankle on my left I think to make sure it doesn't stiffen up

 

[mustardsmum]

No advice but I have been suffering with dreadful foot pain for months so you have my sympathies. I cannot weight bear when I get out of bed or from sitting, it’s very painful for the first 20 mins when I can’t put my heal to the floor but then will ease. I would contact your Dr, see if a physio can see you and good luck. Constant pain is so dull - I try to ignore it but there are moments when I would like to get up and not feel like I have trodden on a nail …..

 

[Jacksie]

I get a similar pain in my ankle from weakness if I haven’t ridden much or if I use boots without enough ankle support. My physio gave me exercises to do which made a huge difference. Some with those rubber bands and some where you spell out the alphabet with your toes.

 

[jhoward]

Forgot I posted this thread.
I got a new saddle in October and it helped a lot. Hadn't been getting any ankle pain really but only riding once a week for about 45 minutes, moderate amount of faster paced work and trotting which was the cause of the pain before because of the strain in my ankle when out of the saddle.

Since the clocks changed, I started riding a bit more and found my left ankle starting to ache more towards the end of the ride but nothing like before.

Yesterday I did quite a fast paced ride and felt my ankle starting to ache. It then just gave up completely to the point I couldn't hold my foot flat anymore, it just kept rolling inwards like it was dislocated. It was agony. Even trying to trot and rise out the saddle, it rolled in like I had no control over it. I still had feeling in my foot.

I don't know what to do, I've forked out on some secondhand Bow Balance stirrups because I just don't know what to try now. I want to ride more but I'm worried that this is going to stop me being able to.

I looked back and always had a problem with this left ankle. It used to feel locked when I first got in the saddle but it went after about 10 minutes. This is horrible and I want to do longer rides without being in pain.

I'd be looking at your neck and back position. .start at your pillows and how you sleep...adjust it all see what happens.

 

[GrassChop]

No advice but I have been suffering with dreadful foot pain for months so you have my sympathies. I cannot weight bear when I get out of bed or from sitting, it’s very painful for the first 20 mins when I can’t put my heal to the floor but then will ease. I would contact your Dr, see if a physio can see you and good luck. Constant pain is so dull - I try to ignore it but there are moments when I would like to get up and not feel like I have trodden on a nail …..

That sounds awful. I hope you manage to get it sorted.

Honestly, the pain I get is sickening and when my foot rolled in and I was just bouncing on the outside of my ankle like it was broken or going to snap, I can't even explain it. I was out hacking and had to get home just using my knees and right leg!

 

[GrassChop]

I get a similar pain in my ankle from weakness if I haven’t ridden much or if I use boots without enough ankle support. My physio gave me exercises to do which made a huge difference. Some with those rubber bands and some where you spell out the alphabet with your toes.

Thank you. I'm going to look into some exercises.
I was wearing my country boots as I actually thought the tightness of my normal long riding boots were cutting off circulation and that was why I was getting the pain but perhaps not!

 

[Errin Paddywack]

No advice but I have been suffering with dreadful foot pain for months so you have my sympathies. I cannot weight bear when I get out of bed or from sitting, it’s very painful for the first 20 mins when I can’t put my heal to the floor but then will ease. I would contact your Dr, see if a physio can see you and good luck. Constant pain is so dull - I try to ignore it but there are moments when I would like to get up and not feel like I have trodden on a nail …..

This sounds like Plantar Fasciitis. My friend has it in both feet and goes through agonies everyday.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Morning all!

In the last couple of months, I have started to get horrendous pain in both legs around my ankle/outer calf area when riding, not in the joint.

Initially, I thought it was the stirrups so I bought some wide tread Compositi Reflex ones but these made me feel a bit unbalanced and didn't change anything, used them a few times to try. So I thought maybe it was my boots. They are 3 years old and unfortunately, I've put on a little bit of weight which I'm in the process of shifting so assumed because they are little tighter, they're causing the issue as they're a bit more restrictive. I rode in my country boots instead as these are roomier which alleviated the pressure loads but not completely, so I assumed it was the previous boots but pain from the strain before that wasn't healed yet.

As I don't want those for riding, I thought I'd try short boots and chaps as it'll give me the flexibility. This still hurt and didn't solve the issue so it was becoming a nightmare. I bought new long boots but wider which I've been using up until now to break in, still in pain but they haven't settled yet so hard to tell. I tried longer stirrups which hurt more for some reason. As I've had this saddle since April with no problems until now, I thought I'd just try my previous one to see if it makes any difference but it didn't. Though at this point, I'm not sure if they are just awfully strained and need time to recover now. I'm going to give myself a couple of weeks off for them to get better and then try again but I'm not sure whether to continue to use my old saddle (only changed as wanted leather) and see how it goes or try again in the current one as I'm just not sure what is causing it now. If the change of boots seemed to solve it mostly before, maybe it really is only that and nothing else but is there something else that can be done to help alleviate the pressure? I've never had this before and just want to ride comfortably. The pain is worse when I'm out of the seat and gets so bad, they just cease up so I can't move them without sickening agony so I've only been managing 20 minute rides.

Sbloom has already given me some great advice but thought I'd just see if anyone else has had the same issue and some advice. Thank you.

I got similar due to my ankles going over several times, now they swollen this led to planter fasciitis now collapsed arches. I would go see your gp

 

[GrassChop]

I got similar due to my ankles going over several times, now they swollen this led to planter fasciitis now collapsed arches. I would go see your gp

This sounds like Plantar Fasciitis. My friend has it in both feet and goes through agonies everyday.

Thank you. Is it still this if there is no pain in the foot?

 

[GrassChop]

I was looking it up and peroneal tendonitis sounds most like it. I don't get pain in my foot though. It's above my ankle on the outside.

Found the image online and that's pretty much exactly where the pain is. It feels like when you over work a muscle.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Thank you. Is it still this if there is no pain in the foot?

I don't think so.