Recurrent Ankle Sprain
Q. I only sprained my ankle, so why do my knee and lower back hurt as well?
A.
Walking so as to avoid the painful ankle changes the whole gait, and that load travels up to the knee and pelvis.
📝 Detailed Answer
When the ankle is unstable, you put your weight on the side that does not hurt without meaning to. Once the gait leans to one side, forces other than usual act on the knee, hip joint and pelvis, and that carries on up to the spine above.
At Dangdang we call this path, beginning at the foot and travelling upwards, the ascending pattern. If your knee or lower back started hurting after an ankle injury, it is worth checking this path as well.
Expert Verified
Injun Eo
Director