Foot/Ankle Pain
Foot pain is common and maybe to either an acute injury or progressive degeneration of joint or inflammation of tendons and muscles in the foot or ankle.
Ankle sprain is most common source of ankle pain. This usually occurs when the foot exceeds its normal range of motion and as a result, the ligaments in the ankle joint stretch or tear. This is often seen in people working on their feet for most of the day or in athletes. Most people experience lateral (outer) ankle sprain more commonly than medial sprains.
Many times, if the pain is mild in your feet than you can eliminate this pain by choosing more comfortable, well-cushioned shoes, stretching before exercising, keeping up with foot hygiene, and maintaining a healthy weight.
When foot or ankle pain is moderate or severe, then have your doctor evaluate your pain and determine if therapy maybe an option for your pain.
Types of pain amendable to physical therapy:
1. Plantar Fasciitis: stabbing pain in heel and bottom of foot affecting your walking.
2. Ankle Sprains: functions to regain range of motion, reducing pain, strengthening muscles.
Symptoms of Foot/ankle pain:
• Pain in moving ankle or foot.
• Pain in arch of the foot
• Pain in toes
• Heel pain
• Swollen ankle or feet
• Weakened feet
• Trouble standing
• Difficulty with walking.
Common causes of Foot/Ankle pain:
• Ankle sprain
• Toe sprain
• Bone spur
• Plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendinitis or rupture.
• Avulsion fracture
• Foot or toe fractures.
• Tendinitis
• Bursitis
• Flat foot
• Haglund’s deformity
• Osteoarthritis
• Autoimmune arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Lupus, pseudogout, gout.
• Infection Osteomyelitis
• Raynaud’s disease
• Neuropathy
• Radiculopathy (pain referred from back to foot)
Goals of Foot/Ankle physical therapy treatment:
• Improve range of motion.
• Improve walking
• Strengthen the muscles and tendons.
• Reduced referred pain to the foot/ankle from back.