Why Does My Ankle Hurt When I Walk but Not When I Run?

Your ankle likely hurts when walking but not running due to different biomechanical stress patterns and gait mechanics. Walking and running can load the ankle differently, but foot-strike patterns and forces vary from person to person. Several problems can cause this pattern, including irritation of a tendon, joint, or nearby tissue, but the symptom pattern alone cannot identify the cause. Pain may feel different during walking and running, but a lack of pain while running does not necessarily mean that running is safe for the ankle. The controlled impact of walking may also aggravate inflamed tissues that running's different mechanics don't trigger. Consider consulting a healthcare provider for proper evaluation and treatment recommendations.