Please note - the solutions suggested below will reduce the risk of further injury and may have prevented the injury occurring, but are not a substitute for treatment.

Referred Pain

If your ankle discomfort is pain, numbness or altered sensation, then it is possible that it may be generated by pressure on nerves in your lower back, particularly if you suffer from low back pain, but not necessarily. Look at your posture, are you leaning forward to work, closing the angle between your trunk and thighs. Look at our solutions to Back and Sciatic pain and consult a Physiotherapist.

Sustained Posture

Consider using a footrest with a tilting footplate, which allows for movement of the foot and ankle, rather than a fixed angle.

Ankle crossing

Be aware that this may be the source of your discomfort and make yourself conscious of your ankle position every time you press the ‘Print’ button or something else that you do regularly. It may be that your feet are unsupported with your chair at the correct height, in which case, consider a footrest).

End of range positions

If your chair height dictates that your ankles adopt a constant position where they are fully bent or extended, consider a footrest), which will allow you to sit at the correct height with your feet a middle of the range position.

Obstructions

Try rearranging your desk in such a way that the task you do most is carried out in position where you can support your feet comfortably. If you do have a corner workstation, consider using a Keyboard Corner), this will move you back from the foot obstructions, and give you a deeper desk. It will also allow you to get closer to the keyboard without leaning forward or banging the chair arms on the desk edge.

The above information covers only the most common causes and is far from a complete reference. If you would like further advice or information please contact us.