Ankle hurts while running

Question
My granddaughter is 14 and has always played soccer (fall and spring).  This summer she took up cross country training and is now on her 8th grade school team.  Her ankles hurt while running in both practices and both soccer games and cross country meets.  Will better shoes help since this is the first year she has added a second sport during the same season?

Answer
Hi, Carol

Although I can't say for sure why her ankles hurt (for example, is it a muscular pain or skeletal issue), there are a couple of things that can help.

Make sure that she is wearing the proper footwear for each sport.  So, that means she's probably going to need more than one pair of running shoes.  She does need shoes specific to her cross country runs, and running shoes for when she just does running for soccer.  Also, properly fitting cleats for outdoor play and the proper shoes for indoor play.

The problem could also be in her running form, so make sure that when you have her fitted for running shoes that it is at a store that specializes so that they can analyze her gait and suggest any necessary shoe inserts (I have them for having flat feet).

One last thing.  If this continues over the next two weeks or gets markedly worse, then she is going to need to see a sports doctor or physical therapist to get at the root of the problem.

It may not be that serious.  You may be able to fix it with form and proper footwear.  But be cautious so that she does not incur permanent injury.

I hope that helps and I think it's great she is doing both of those sports (I did both sports in high school).