Many ankle injuries can be avoided by simple prevention methods. I will go through the most common ways to prevent ankle injuries. Being in medical school and seeing ankle pain quite often, I am aware of the issue - and it is a large one.

My wife has had ankle issues for a number of years and lately ankle surgery. Now I am getting some issues in my right one.

A podiatrist told me a very common cause of ankle injury:

Tight Achilles Tendon [calf muscles]

Bottom Line:

• To reduce ankle injury, stretch your calf muscles. Keep them limber.
• Avoid high heels if you can - they shorten calf muscles
• Visit a podiatrist if you have ankle issues - avoid a chronic problem

If you have slight ankle pain, an adjustment by a chiropractor may solve the problem. My talus was slid forward out of alignment and in two seconds it was popped back into place. My ankle pain was gone. A sign of this is if you get pain when you try to point your foot upwards. You will feel a limitation there as the talus is hitting the tibia instead of sliding under it.

Don't let that simple issue cause you to have a major surgery. Get it checked out and adjusted.

Glucosamine. You've all heard it. Which one and how much to take? Glucosamine Sulfate is the only one you want to take - not glucosamine HCl - it is garbage. All research has shown that glucosamine sulfate is the superior type. The research has shown effective results with 500mg of glucosamine sulfate taken 3 times a day for 8 weeks. Don't stop though - keep going if you want the joint to maintain a healthy environment.

If your ankle is absolutely trashed due to arthritis and you're young, you may consider ankle allograft. I know nothing about this but your doc may.

Hope this helps ya.

In health, Ben

Benjamin Lynch has a BS degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Washington. Currently, he is obtaining his doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine at Bastyr University. Visit Ben's natural health product store, HealthE Goods where one can use our free health information service where one may ask specific health questions. We provide physician-grade non-prescription natural health products. Wholesale spa products are available to all that qualify. Do visit our Natural Health Information Center. We are here to help serve the public with proper health information and effective products. Products described in the article are available at HealthE Goods.