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Still Getting Ankle Pain When You Run? These Shoes Changed Everything for Me

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SemicHealth Pulse
August 08, 2025

Fresh health tips, inspiring stories, and more every Friday. Brought to you by SemicHealth

Hey,

Welcome to SemicHealth Pulse.

It Started as a Twinge…

I remember the first time it happened.
Halfway through my morning run, a sharp ache stabbed the side of my ankle.
I slowed down, stretched, and kept going.

Weeks later, that “twinge” had turned into a dull, constant pain.
I iced it. Rested. Even skipped a few runs.
But the ache always came back.

Then a fellow runner asked:
"What kind of shoes are you wearing?"

It was such a simple question. But it changed everything.

In today’s newsletter, we’ll cover:

  • Why your running shoes might be the real cause of your ankle pain

  • What to look for when buying supportive running shoes

  • Signs it’s time to replace your current pair

  • When to see a doctor about persistent ankle pain

Why Shoes Matter More Than You Think

Running puts repeated stress on your ankles—especially if your shoes don’t match your gait, foot shape, or running style.

Here’s what happens with the wrong pair:

  • Poor arch support makes your ankle roll inward or outward with each step.

  • Thin cushioning increases impact on joints.

  • An incorrect size can cause instability and overcompensation in your stride.

Over time, this small misalignment strains the tendons and ligaments around your ankle—leading to pain that doesn’t seem to go away.

Nike set

How I Found My Perfect Pair

After that conversation, I visited a specialty running store.
They analyzed my gait, checked my arches, and measured my feet while standing.
Turns out, I had been running in shoes half a size too small—with zero arch support.

My new shoes had:

  • Proper arch stability to keep my foot aligned.

  • Extra heel cushioning to absorb shock.

  • Wide toe box to prevent my foot from cramping during long runs.

The difference? Within two weeks, my ankle pain was gone. - Eric, 34 years

Run Running GIF

Signs You Need New Shoes

✅ Your shoes are more than 6–8 months old (or over 500 km of use)
✅ The tread is worn unevenly
✅ You feel ankle, knee, or hip pain after running
✅ You can bend the shoe in half easily — it’s lost its structure

If any of these apply, it’s time for a replacement. Click here to buy one!

A person wearing white looks at the camera

When to See a Doctor

If your ankle pain is severe, swelling doesn’t go down, or it persists even after rest and changing shoes, seek medical advice.


A sports medicine specialist or physiotherapist can check for stress fractures, tendonitis, or ligament injuries before they worsen.

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Thanks for reading, and take care, friends! We’ll be back next week to talk about "Can Suboxone Affect Sexual Health? What Men Need to Know About ED Risk”. See you then!

Here’s your reminder to email [email protected] with any (general) health and wellness questions you’d like us to answer in a future edition.