Hi, I was wondering if you had any advice for me on a long term persistent problem I have with my left ankle. It feels like 2 problems - I think I have tendonitis just above my ankle bone in my achilles and secondly I get diffuse low level pain around the cup of my heel - back and sides but not on the sole. I was running several times a week during lockdown 1 but had to stop because of my ankle. I rested it for almost 5 months and then recently started running again but only for very short periods of time (only 10 minutes 3 times a week as rehab) with the hope of being able to build back up. That was ok for 3 weeks but now it's swollen again and sore. The pain is not intense - I could certainly run through it no problem but I worry that that would make it worse and also concerned that despite not really running for 5 months it's not better. I think maybe I have an underlying weakness in that ankle because I have had achilles tendonitis several times in my life. The thing with the heel is new though. I'm usually moderately fit (though not currently given the 5 month break) and active. Do you have ideas as to what may be going on and how I can fix it? Many thanks, Kelly

Hi Kelly - a few symptoms (and I guess that's what drove you hear in the first place) but I'd be amazed if you've got 2 different causes, especially with you previous Achilles issues. Do think about downloading the Couch to 5K app - it's a good load disseminator, and helps you keep track of what you've done. What would be good if you could do a single knee squat on the right and then the left and see how much more wobble, knee roll in or foot collapse you have on the left v right - I think this is probably an issue with stability and control and not just brut strength or endurance. Let me know The Guru