Is a genetic predisposition to weak ankles possible? - Foot Problems Message Board

Warrior313 · 05-07-2006, 01:30 AM

I posted here about a sprained ankle before but that was only because it was a more serious sprain. However, I've always had weak ankles. Not because of a sprain or anything that caused them to weaken, it's just that my ankles roll a lot easier than most people I know. When I step in just a minor pothole, I'll end up spraining my ankle while somebody else might step in the same pothole and just catch their balance. When I do roll one of my ankles, it usually just makes it sore and slightly swollen for a day or two.

I'm wondering if it might be part of my genetics. I can remember members of my family on my dad's side spraining their ankles a few times, including my dad. In particular, I remember one time when my dad was laid up with a badly sprained ankle that came from accidentally twisting it while running. All my life I've had similar problems. I can remember many times when I was a kid that I would hurt my ankles just slightly, like I explained happens a lot to me earlier, while playing with my friends.

Could I have a genetic predisposition to having weak, easily twisted and sprained ankles? Is that possible or am I, my dad, and the other people (my cousin and my aunt are the ones I remember most of all) just really unlucky?

kimann · 05-07-2006, 05:19 AM

Warrior,
I never considered family history, but I know the life of weak ankles. If I'd been raised in this day, I'd have done anything I wanted with the taping and braces available. As a child, I could not do the things I wanted, skating, ice skating, gymnastics, any sport involving running, and even somehow sprained my ankles in the swimming pool! Family history or no, the older you get, the worse the injuries. Go see an orthopedic and see if he/she might be able to surgically stabilise you. At the very least, you will have access to the better supports that might give you more freedom without the risk of injuries. Kim

Warrior313 · 05-08-2006, 12:13 AM

It's not serious enough for surgery but I do twist my ankles a lot more often than my friends when playing sports and stuff. It's usually never too serious. I did have a really, really bad sprain a couple years back and needed a cast on it but that wasn't just one of the minor twists. I slipped ice skating then and my foot slammed into and twisted against the railing.

jules3 · 05-08-2006, 06:00 PM

Maybe you are loose limbed..hypermobile..hard to explain.but i know that my feet,hands,ankles and wrists are very flexible and i am always hurting my ankles running etc...i can step on a cracked sidewalk and sprain my ankle..high top sneakers are a good choice..they do help but, not very attractive on a 42 yr old woman..Maybe they will look better on you!!

Warrior313 · 05-09-2006, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jules3

Maybe you are loose limbed..hypermobile..hard to explain.but i know that my feet,hands,ankles and wrists are very flexible and i am always hurting my ankles running etc...i can step on a cracked sidewalk and sprain my ankle..high top sneakers are a good choice..they do help but, not very attractive on a 42 yr old woman..Maybe they will look better on you!!

That's exactly how it is for me, except it's mainly just my ankles. I haven't been running regularly anymore for a while now but a few years back I ran every morning and I would twist an ankle every month or two, just from stepping on a cracked sidewalk or something like that.

I've tried wearing high tops but I wear ankle socks and the high tops, which went up above my ankles, started to give me sort of a rash on my bare ankles and I don't like long socks. My ankles started itching so bad that I had to go back to my old sneakers.