In runners if you experience pain on the lateral side of the ankle joint and there isn't any sign of trauma, then the most likely issue is what is known as peroneal tendonitis. The peroneal muscle group are on the lateral side of the fibula bone and the tendons pass around the lateral side of the ankle joint to then go to the outside and the plantar aspect of the feet. The primary function of these muscles will be to control and support the feet.
If a tendonitis occurs in the tendons of the peroneal muscles in athletes, then the cause would probably be too much use. This is doing too much too early and the tendons aren't provided to be able to adjust to the increasing loads which are placed on them coming from that too quick increase in the distances as well as speeds being run. It is vital that after tough long runs that the body is given appropriate recuperation prior to the next stress are applied. When a stress is applied too soon prior to the tissues to have had time to restore, then there's an elevated risk for an exercise related injury.
The discomfort of peroneal tendonitis commonly just starts of like a minor ache, either simply below or above the ankle bone on the outside of the ankle. At first there isn't any inflammation, however that will tend to develop later as the pain increases when the issue is not sorted out.
To handle peroneal tendonitis, the runner needs to cut back the running to bearable levels to enable the peroneal tendons to get better. Podiatry practitioners generally make use of a lateral wedge to relieve peroneal tendonitis temporarily as this lessens the activity with the peroneal muscles, so there can be much less stress on the tendons. This goes underneath the heel in the running footwear. When the symptoms in the peroneal tendon starts to subside, then a steady and slow increase is essential in the distances run to allow the tendon to adjust to those stresses are crucial. A strengthening plan is also beneficial.