Kicking Your Foot and Ankle Pain, Once and For All

Do you dread having to put your feet on the floor in the morning or after sitting for a long time? Does climbing the stairs or walking from the parking lot to your destination seem like a big chore? When you think about it, we spend an incredible amount of time using our feet throughout the day. Because of this, foot and ankle pain can greatly hinder your daily life. Fortunately, you can find relief with physical therapy for any acute or chronic foot or ankle pains you may be experiencing. To consult with one of our licensed Mobile physical therapists and learn more about our services, contact Grelot Physical Therapy today!

Why does foot and ankle pain occur?

The ankle joint consists of three bones that all must interact with one another correctly, in addition to the various ligaments and connective tissues that hold the assembly of the joint together, several muscles help in stabilize and move the joints. In order to achieve optimum levels of function, they must work together in harmony at all times.

The foot is even more complex than the ankle. The foot is comprised of approximately two dozen bones, 30 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Because the feet and ankles are so complex, injuries are common in these areas. Whether your pain is mild or severe, serious limitations can be put on your daily life. At Grelot Physical Therapy, our goal is to fix those limitations.

Common causes of foot and ankle pain:

Foot and ankle pain typically develops from one of two reasons: a sudden injury or a chronic, underlying condition. Some of the most common causes of foot and ankle pain include:

• Sprains and strains. A sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched too far or is torn, while a strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is stretched too far or torn.
• Too high or too low arches. Excessive arch in your foot typically a structural issue that makes your foot rigid. It will not absorb the stresses placed on the foot as well as an optimally structured foot. This can lead to ankle sprains, metatarsalgia, hammer toes, and plantar fasciitis. A low of an arch or flat foot is too flexible and will lead to overuse injuries of the medial foot stabilizers along with a feeling of tired and achy feet. Plantar fasciitis also can develop from low arches.
• Fracture. When excessive force or trauma is put on a bone, it can crack or break entirely. A fracture to the foot or ankle could result in weeks of downtime to ensure proper healing.
• Plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the connective tissue at the bottom of the foot becomes inflamed. It is most commonly caused by aggravated overuse, such as improper posture, constant standing, or footwear that lacks proper arch support.
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome. The tarsal tunnel is an area in the medial ankle were one of the nerves that run from the lower leg to the ankle and the foot. When it becomes pinched or inflamed, tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs.
• Tendonitis. Tendonitis occurs when the tendons are excessively overused, causing them to become inflamed for prolonged periods of time.
• Bursitis. A bursa is an anti-friction sac that the body places around joints to minimize friction between the different structures. When excessive stress is put on the system, the bursa breaks down and becomes inflamed and irritated. This is called bursitis.
• Arthritis. Arthritis is common and causes painful inflammation in the joints. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types of arthritis and both can greatly impact the foot and ankle joints, resulting in pain and decreased function.

Find relief with Grelot Physical Therapy:

Whether your pain is acute or chronic, our Mobile physical therapy practice can help. At your initial appointment, one of our physical therapists will conduct a thorough examination in order to diagnose the root cause of your pain. Your treatment plan will be based on your diagnosis and your specific needs.

Acute injuries are typically prescribed R.I.C.E treatments (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) for the first few days, in order to make sure that any swelling subsides before your treatment plan begins. After that, you will begin more specialized treatments.

Chronic conditions will begin with specific treatments based on the nature of the condition. Treatment plans will include targeted exercises and stretch in order to strengthen the foot and ankle muscles, improve balance, and restore joint mobility. Taping and orthotic management may be of help.

Our Mobile physical therapist will focus on easing your pain and improving your flexibility and strength. We then focus on getting you as functional as possible. At Grelot Physical Therapy, our goal is to provide holistic healing and pain management so you can get back to your optimum physical function, with a decreased risk of sustaining future injuries.

If you are looking to kick your foot and ankle pain, once and for all, contact us today. We’ll discuss how our services can help improve your mobility, comfort, and overall function, and get you started on your first steps toward pain relief.