The first time i really noticed i had a problem with my ankle was in Feb 2013. I was on my annual pilgrimage up to Scotland to do some winter mountaineering/climbing and was standing on the highest mountain in Glencoe, on the mighty Bidean nan Bian and the conditions were pretty much full-on winter.

i cant remember going over on the ankle or hurting it in any way all i knew was that i had a burning sensation on my left ankle just below the ankle bone and by the time i had hobbled and limped for three and a half hours back down to the valley below it really was a problem. The next day it was worse and two days into my much-anticipated trip it was over and i had to go home. After a few days rest it felt better but  it never really went away. I got a xray to check for hairline

Bidean nan Bian from Stob Coire nan Lochan

fractures, then got treated for tendonitis and then tendonosis of the peroneal tendons and told to do lots of proprioception strengthening exercises ( try standing barefoot on one leg and raise yourself onto your toes – then close your eyes and do it! ) my legs got strong but the problem remained and it went on for months, the next try was a cortisone injection and the GTN patches (familiar to angina sufferers) on the affected area to try to increase the blood flow to the tendons. Eventually the Pysios gave up and i was referred to a surgeon, he requested an MRI scan which finally revealed what the true problem was – a longitudanal tear of the Peroneal Longus tendon. it was a relief actually knowing what the injury was and I just wished i had that scan straight away as it would have saved a year of pointless physio. Three months after this diagnosis i eventually had surgery to repair the tear and clean up the damage done. So here i sit two weeks into my recovery wondering and hoping when the next time i`ll be standing on top of a Scottish Mountain will be!