Ankles crack

[gsedun]

When ever I extend my feet, especially my right foot, my ankle cracks, it seems to come from the front of the ankle(the part that is just under the skin when facing forward). Recently, I have discovered that this happens when I erg, only on my right foot. It doesnt hurt, it is just annoying. Any suggestions on how to fix it.

[Ducatista]

As I was reading your post I pointed my left foot and got a resounding crack from the front of my ankle.

I don't know what causes it, but I aim to find out. It's gotten more annoying and uncomfortable over the past several months, during which time I've really ramped up the erging... don't know if that's causal or coincidental. It's to the point now where if I wake up at night lying on my stomach, I have to hang my left foot off the edge of the bed so it can flex to relieve the discomfort (which is probably what wakes me up).

I've got my yearly checkup this week, and that's one of the things on my list to ask the doc about.

[Alissa]

Hi Ducatista!

I'm not sure when you point your toe while erging...I don't, so would be inclined to simply say that if pointing your toe causes the crack, don't point it!

(or perhaps you could explain where in the rowing stroke you're pointing your toes, so that I'll understand better?)

Alissa

[Ducatista]

Hi Ducatista!

I'm not sure when you point your toe while erging...

I don't, and my ankle doesn't crack while I'm erging.

I wonder if there may be a causal connection simply because of the simultaneous increase in meters and crackage, but my erging itself is crack free. Just say no!

[gsedun]

when I erg my ankles crack at the finish. The ankle cracking always happens when I go up a set of stairs, so I reckon that the action of straightening my foot causes the tendons in the ankles to slip over the bone causing the cracking sound

[MomofJBN]

I usually get one good crack out of each ankle sometime in the first hour after each erg session. It always feel better afterwards. There must be some sort of tension that builds up during erging, but otherwise, it doesn't seem to be a problem for me.

[gsedun]

my ankles crack everystroke though

[LJWagner]

May be a muscle imbalance thing. Years ago when I ran more, my ankles cracked every step. Sounded like I was Hansel dropping ball bearings every step. Especially irritating in a swimming pool, when someone is under water. Much louder.

I've never had it looked at, and I, too, sometimes need to flex the foot to make pain go away. But I have not done it much in years.

I think one doctor commented it could be a tight tendon or ligament, that "snapped" slightly as it passed a very minor bone spur. Sounds possible. The actual snap or crack sound produced no pain, and relieved any in the ankle. I also "pop" elbows and wrists now and then to relieve minor pain in them. I tighten supporting muscles, and then force the joint to move against the strongest one.

[Ducatista]

As I was reading your post I pointed my left foot and got a resounding crack from the front of my ankle.

I don't know what causes it, but I aim to find out. It's gotten more annoying and uncomfortable over the past several months...

Well, I found out. Went to a sports med doc this morning and learned that I have loose ligaments—so loose that the doc was delighted to have me as an example to show the resident who was shadowing him. My left ankle is particularly unstable. It was pretty creepy to feel the joint slopping around in there as the doc jiggled my foot.

I left the appointment with a Thera-Band for ankle-strengthening exercises (push forward and side to side against the band), an ankle brace to wear on extended walks (gladiator chic!), and several core exercises to help keep me properly aligned. Seriously, core exercises for my ankle? Sad but true. They said I could try orthotics, too (I overpronate).

I'll post back up after I've followed the regimen for a bit. I'll be so happy if it helps!