I bent it like Beckham, but it was my ankle.
September 26, 2010 5:02 PM Subscribe
What are some sports like soccer I can play with chronic ankle injuries?
I am a huge football/soccer fan and, as an adult in my thirties, decided to take up playing a bit. I joined an adult indoor league and loved it but promptly rolled my ankle in a major way (it is about 2 months later and I still have swelling and the ankle will roll occasionally when I am not wearing a brace). I have a long history of rolling and spraining my ankles. I visited a sports physician who said that I would probably require physical therapy at the least and eventual surgery if I wanted to correct the ankle rolling problem. As I cannot afford either right now, I am slowly trying to heal my ankles through wearing a brace, exercise, and improving proprioception.
I really liked the fast paced nature of the game, I am very interested in tactics and positioning, and would like to find another sport I could play with similar cardio benefits and competitiveness but that won't require lots of "cutting" or rapid changes of direction. I also, being kind of poor, would like to find a sport with minimal equipment purchases (thus, cycling is out). I live in Seattle so there's a community for just about anything here.
I am a huge football/soccer fan and, as an adult in my thirties, decided to take up playing a bit. I joined an adult indoor league and loved it but promptly rolled my ankle in a major way (it is about 2 months later and I still have swelling and the ankle will roll occasionally when I am not wearing a brace). I have a long history of rolling and spraining my ankles. I visited a sports physician who said that I would probably require physical therapy at the least and eventual surgery if I wanted to correct the ankle rolling problem. As I cannot afford either right now, I am slowly trying to heal my ankles through wearing a brace, exercise, and improving proprioception.
I really liked the fast paced nature of the game, I am very interested in tactics and positioning, and would like to find another sport I could play with similar cardio benefits and competitiveness but that won't require lots of "cutting" or rapid changes of direction. I also, being kind of poor, would like to find a sport with minimal equipment purchases (thus, cycling is out). I live in Seattle so there's a community for just about anything here.
Best answer: Wait! Before you give up on soccer are you sure you have done all you can to keep on playing? I coached it for 13 years and have suffered a similar ankle-roll injury (evulsion fracture). You might try contacting a sports therapist or a trainer to learn whether there is a method for taping your ankles prior to practice and games. That's what I did and it gave me several more years on the field. My soccer injuries were 20 to 30 years ago and they still bother me now, but it was worth it.
posted by Old Geezer at 5:36 PM on September 26, 2010
posted by Old Geezer at 5:36 PM on September 26, 2010
Consider Ultimate Frisbee. Still all the running and tactics, but you're not using your legs and ankles for tackling or working a ball. A good change of direction is useful, but not essential, as a distinct benefit of the game is you're generally able to match up against players of similar ability. And Ultimate is cheap.
posted by jjderooy at 5:55 PM on September 26, 2010
posted by jjderooy at 5:55 PM on September 26, 2010
Seconding Ultimate Frisbee.
If you have frequent ankle injuries I would actually recommend against wearing cleats and train bare foot running while wearing something like the Vibram Five Fingers. Its one of those things you have incrementally do as your ankles get stronger. Consider your ankle is rolling without a brace it's something you try at a later date. I find it helps with proprioception more than balance boards alone, so that when you do wear cleats are shoes your ankles are alot stronger.
posted by roguewraith at 6:19 PM on September 26, 2010
If you have frequent ankle injuries I would actually recommend against wearing cleats and train bare foot running while wearing something like the Vibram Five Fingers. Its one of those things you have incrementally do as your ankles get stronger. Consider your ankle is rolling without a brace it's something you try at a later date. I find it helps with proprioception more than balance boards alone, so that when you do wear cleats are shoes your ankles are alot stronger.
posted by roguewraith at 6:19 PM on September 26, 2010
Volleyball. Wear high-tops.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 6:50 PM on September 26, 2010
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 6:50 PM on September 26, 2010
Best answer: I was a similar ankle roller for a long time. Afraid to run really. I found a few things.
1. I got rid of every single pair of shoes once the heels got a little worn (or got them resoled). It was a vicious circle: walk on outside of feet, heels wear, roll ankles more. Bleh.
2. I started swimming and doing a lot of kickboard stuff
3. I play soccer now w/ two good outcomes:
- now that people are a little older, the game is a little more mellow
- I don't have near as many ankle problems
You might also like water polo if that's an option. Yoga is also good for working on ankle stuff and balance [for me] and yeah I think you'd find ultimate enjoyable.
posted by jessamyn at 6:53 PM on September 26, 2010
1. I got rid of every single pair of shoes once the heels got a little worn (or got them resoled). It was a vicious circle: walk on outside of feet, heels wear, roll ankles more. Bleh.
2. I started swimming and doing a lot of kickboard stuff
3. I play soccer now w/ two good outcomes:
- now that people are a little older, the game is a little more mellow
- I don't have near as many ankle problems
You might also like water polo if that's an option. Yoga is also good for working on ankle stuff and balance [for me] and yeah I think you'd find ultimate enjoyable.
posted by jessamyn at 6:53 PM on September 26, 2010
Ultimate frisbee can be horrible on ankles. People I know with chronic ankle injuries quit playing ultimate. Ultimate is a sport of cutting and rapid changes in direction.
posted by jz at 8:14 PM on September 26, 2010
posted by jz at 8:14 PM on September 26, 2010
Best answer: Perhaps before you give up soccer, think about changing your shoes. I sprained my ankle really badly (really bad grade 2) playing flag football (tried to cut on a very wet astroturf field) and was suffering like you 2 months afterwards. Luckily, my ankle only swelled up to about twice its normal size since I was on Celebrex for a torn ligament in my hand at the same time.
I switched from my normal running shoes to my Vibram Five Fingers and started doing brisk walking/jogging in them at the suggestion of a friend who's a running fiend. He told me that going around barefoot or in barefoot simulated shoes will actually strengthen your foot, calves, and all the muscles in between which help prevent future sprained ankles. I was skeptical at first, but then my ankle stopped hurting all together and I was running 20-30 miles a week.
Neither me nor my friend are doctors but it's worked for me so hopefully this will work for you and you can continue playing soccer!
posted by astapasta24 at 10:57 PM on September 26, 2010
I switched from my normal running shoes to my Vibram Five Fingers and started doing brisk walking/jogging in them at the suggestion of a friend who's a running fiend. He told me that going around barefoot or in barefoot simulated shoes will actually strengthen your foot, calves, and all the muscles in between which help prevent future sprained ankles. I was skeptical at first, but then my ankle stopped hurting all together and I was running 20-30 miles a week.
Neither me nor my friend are doctors but it's worked for me so hopefully this will work for you and you can continue playing soccer!
posted by astapasta24 at 10:57 PM on September 26, 2010
it is quite possible I have no idea what I'm talking about, but I'd try Ice Hockey. The laced up skates should provide ankle support.
posted by jrishel at 10:55 AM on September 27, 2010
posted by jrishel at 10:55 AM on September 27, 2010
Jrishel--Hockey is not a good thing it play on a bad ankle! You get a lot of support from the boot but that's because you use it quite a bit. I had to take a few months off playing when I sprained my ankle. Even now skating aggravates it a little bit.
posted by astapasta24 at 9:43 PM on September 28, 2010
posted by astapasta24 at 9:43 PM on September 28, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by proj at 5:11 PM on September 26, 2010