Ankle Therapy
Your ankle or foot issue is something we understand, and we know how frustrating it can be. These issues often limit one of our most human attributes — the ability to walk and maneuver freely without pain. We treat ankles and feet passionately because we know how important your independence is. We design ankle therapy plans to improve individual deficits with everyday functions such as walking, stairs, balance, or anything specific to you. We look for issues with range of motion, strength, and stability in the ankle joint. Most importantly, we want to know your goals for therapy so we can treat you comprehensively.
What is Ankle pain?
Ankle pain is pain or discomfort in any part of the ankle. It can be caused by a variety of things, including sprains, tendinitis, fractures, arthritis, and neuropathy.
Here are some of the common diagnoses that lead to ankle pain:
- Sprains: A sprain is an injury to the ligaments that support the ankle. It is often caused by rolling or twisting the ankle. Most often in an inward motion known as an inversion ankle sprain.
- Tendinitis: Tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon. It can occur in the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone, or in the tendons that attach the muscles to the bones in the ankle joint.
- Fractures: A fracture is a break in a bone. It can occur in any of the bones in the ankle and is usually the result of some trauma or overuse-type injury.
- Arthritis: Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation of the joints. It can affect any joint in the body, including the ankle.
- Neuropathy: Lower extremity Neuropathy usually is damage to the nerves in the foot and ankle. It can cause pain, numbness, and tingling. Diabetes is the leading cause of polyneuropathy in the United States.
COMMON CAUSES FOR ANKLE PAIN
There are many causes for why people experience ankle pain. Some of the most common factors include:
- Injury: Ankle sprains and fractures are two of the most common causes of ankle pain. Common examples are stepping in a hole, stepping wrong off a curb, twisting an ankle playing a sport, or stepping on someone else’s foot.
- Arthritis: Causes include years of standing on hard surfaces for work, constant pounding on the ankle joint through repeated hopping or jumping, for example, a basketball player who is now older.
- Overuse: Maybe you are an avid walker, hiker or even someone who runs marathons with constant training and putting lots of miles on your feet, you can have tissue irritation that can cause pain.
- Poorly fitting shoes: Wearing shoes that are too tight or too loose can put stress on the ankle and lead to pain.
- Tendinitis: Tightness or irritation through activity or inactivity can affect the Achilles or Peroneal tendons most commonly leading to pain, muscular imbalance, gait disturbances and more.
- Neuropathy: of the ankle and foot can lead to a dangerous circumstance of decreased sensation in the lower extremity causing falls and tripping episodes that could lead to other more serious injuries. Also, sores or wounds can become present on the feet if the patient is not properly educated on precautionary techniques due to the loss of feeling.
Free Consultation
Take advantage of a complimentary 15-minute phone conversation with a licensed Physical Therapist to discuss your concerns and ensure Uncommon Physical Therapy is best for you
(we know it will be)!
HOW TO RELIEVE ANKLE PAIN
Here are some ways to relieve ankle pain:
The best first step for relieving your ankle pain is to be evaluated to see what true deficits, causes and activity-based interventions are necessary to address your pain.
Some treatments that your therapist may include are
- Stretching. With Guidance stretching your ankle to improve range of motion.
- Strength training. starting strength training exercises to help prevent future injuries.
- Manual therapy: This is usually a hands-on technique by the therapist to a muscle or tissue, like the calf if it is felt to be tight or limiting motion to help relieve tension and pain in the area.
- Dry needling or cupping: These modalities are usually done to help with muscular tightness, trigger points, or soft tissue adhesions. A more thorough description will be provided by your therapist in each case.
Balance training: helping to maintain good balance habits, and helping our body make unconscious corrections as we move on unstable surfaces to help prevent falls
Taping techniques: to support the ankle joint and give tactile feedback to the patient on proper ankle mechanics.
- Ice. Applying ice to your ankle for 20 minutes at a time can help to reduce swelling and pain.
- Compression. Wearing a compression bandage or sleeve can help to reduce swelling and support your ankle.
- Elevation. Elevating your ankle above your heart can help to reduce swelling.
