In athletes if you find discomfort on the outside of the ankle joint and there is no history of trauma, then the most likely reason is what is called peroneal tendonitis. The peroneal muscle group are on the lateral side of the lower leg and there tendons go around the lateral side of the ankle joint to then go to the outside and then the underside of the feet. The primary purpose of the peroneal muscles will be to control and support the feet.
If a tendonitis occurs in the tendons of these peroneal muscles in runners, then the explanation is usually overuse. This is undertaking too much too early and the tendons aren't given to be able to adapt to the increasing stresses that are put on them coming from that too fast increase in the mileage and velocities being run. It is essential that following hard longer runs that the body will be given enough relaxation before the next stress are applied. If a load is applied too early before the tendons to have had time to recuperate, then there's an increased possibility for an overuse injury.
The pain sensation of peroneal tendonitis frequently only starts of as a insignificant ache, either just above or below the ankle bone on the outside of the ankle. To start with there isn't any swelling, however that will tend to come about later since the pain increases when the problem is not resolved.
To cope with peroneal tendonitis, the athlete needs to scale back the running to bearable amounts to allow the peroneal tendons to recover. Podiatric doctors frequently make use of a lateral wedge to relieve peroneal tendonitis for the short term since this cuts down on activity with the peroneal muscles, so there is much less stress on the tendons. The wedge is placed under the heel in the running footwear. After the pain in the peroneal tendon begins to subside, then a progressive and slow increase is necessary in the mileage run in order to allow the tendon to adjust to the loads will be required. A strengthening plan can also be worthwhile.