In runners if you find pain on the lateral side of the ankle joint and there is no sign of trauma, then the more than likely reason is what is named peroneal tendonitis. The peroneal muscles are on the lateral side of the lower leg and the tendons go around the lateral side of the ankle joint to then move to the outside and the bottom of the feet. The key purpose of these muscles are to balance and support the feet.
If a tendinopathy occurs in the tendons of these peroneal muscles in runners, then the reason is probably excessive use. This is undertaking too much too soon and the peroneal tendons are not given a chance to adapt to the increasing loads which are put on them coming from that too quick increase in the miles and also speeds being run. It is essential that after harder long runs that the body is provided ample rest before the next stress are applied. When a stress is put on too early prior to the tendons to have had time to restore, then there's a greater possibility to have an exercise related injury.
The pain of peroneal tendonitis typically simply starts of being a minor ache, either simply above or below the ankle bone on the lateral side of the ankle. In the beginning there isn't any puffiness, however that will tend to come about later as the symptoms increases when the problem is not addressed.
To take care of peroneal tendonitis, the runner needs to decrease the running to tolerable levels to allow the peroneal tendons to get better. Podiatrists commonly use a lateral wedge for treatment of peroneal tendonitis in the short term as this minimizes the activity with the peroneal muscles, so there is reduced force on the peroneal tendons. This goes underneath the heel in the running footwear. Right after the symptoms in the peroneal tendon begins to settle down, then a steady and slow increase is essential in the kilometers run to allow the tendon to adapt to the loads are required. A strengthening plan is usually worthwhile.
