ANKLE AND FOOT
For those of us who enjoyed chasing our friends when we were young or are fighting to stay in shape through exercise, a sprained ankle is something we are all too familiar with. Another common injury, especially in active populations, can result in a wide range of pain and limitations. In severe ankle sprains, a fracture can occur in the distal end of the fibula or, in extreme cases, both the tibia and fibula. Other common ankle injuries are Achilles tendinitis and a calf strain, both overuse-type injuries.
Injures We Treat the Most
Ankle Sprain
This is one of the most common ankle injuries, often occurring when the ligaments that support the ankle stretch or tear due to sudden twisting or rolling of the foot, resulting in pain, swelling, and instability.
Achilles Tendonitis
Inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the back of the ankle, especially during activities like running or jumping.
Ankle Fracture
Fractures of the ankle bones, such as the tibia, fibula, or talus, can occur due to falls, sports injuries, or trauma, leading to pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight on the affected ankle.
Ankle Arthritis
Like other joints, the ankle can develop arthritis, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, particularly during activities that involve bending and straightening the ankle.
Peroneal Tendonitis
Inflammation of the peroneal tendons, which run along the outer part of the ankle, can result in pain, swelling, and tenderness, often aggravated by activities that involve ankle movement and stability.
Ankle Impingement
This occurs when soft tissues or bone fragments become pinched or compressed in the ankle joint, causing pain, swelling, and limited range of motion, especially with dorsiflexion (bringing the foot upward).
Ankle Instability
Weakness or laxity in the ligaments of the ankle can result in recurrent sprains, feelings of giving way, and difficulty maintaining balance, especially during weight-bearing activities.
FOOT
Foot pain can be quite debilitating as it can severely limit our mobility. The most common foot condition is the dreaded plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia spans the entire bottom of the foot and can result in severe pain near the heel. The classic presentation of plantar fasciitis is severe pain upon waking that slowly improves as you walk. Adult-acquired flat feet are another common source of pain and dysfunction resulting from the gradual arch loss due to degenerative changes to the posterior tibial tendon.
Injures We Treat the Most
Plantar Fasciitis
This condition involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, leading to heel pain, especially during the first steps in the morning or after long periods of rest.
Bunions
A bunion is a bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe joint, causing the big toe to angle inward toward the other toes, leading to pain, swelling, and difficulty wearing certain shoes.
Metatarsalgia
This condition involves pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot, often due to overuse, wearing improper footwear, or structural abnormalities in the foot.
Hammer Toe
Hammer toe is a deformity of the toe joints, causing the toe to bend downward instead of pointing straight, leading to pain, corns, and calluses.
Morton's Neuroma
This is a thickening of tissue around a nerve between the toes, often causing pain, numbness, tingling, or a feeling like there’s a pebble in the shoe.
Flat Feet (Pes Planus)
Flat feet occur when the arches of the feet collapse, leading to pain, fatigue, and difficulty with activities that require standing or walking for extended periods.
Achilles Tendonitis
Inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, can cause pain and stiffness in the back of the heel and lower calf.
Foot Sprains
Similar to ankle sprains, foot sprains involve stretching or tearing of ligaments in the foot, leading to pain, swelling, and instability.
Get Relief Now
If you or a family member are dealing with any of the above and the symptoms have not improved in more than three weeks, chances are you would greatly benefit from at least one formal visit with a licensed physical therapist. While most aches and pains do improve on their own, persistent issues often require formal evaluation from a musculoskeletal expert.