The ankle and foot area are an incredibly complex structure. There are 26 bones forming 33 joints with muscles, tendons and ligaments all working together to bear weight, transmit force and allow for locomotion. Due to the high loads and varied forces that ankles can encounter they are susceptible to various types of injuries and impairments. The severity of ankle impairment can range from a discomfort that mildly affects daily activities to intense pain that can lead to significant disability and even require surgical intervention.
Ankle pain is considered by the medical community to be a very common musculoskeletal complaint. Causes of Ankle Pain can often include:
Ligament Sprain or Tear
A ligament is a strong flexible fibrous tissue that holds bones together providing safety and support to the joint structure. A Sprain is an injury that occurs when the level of force applied to a ligament causes a deformation that does not recover when the force is removed or simply when the force applied stretches a ligament too far. Ligament sprain can range from minor deformities that are painful but do not disturb the ligament ability to support the joint (Grade I Sprain) all the way up to a full rupture of the ligament (Grade III Sprain) where the ligament no longer functions. Sprains therefore can range from being easily managed to requiring surgical intervention and very specialized post surgical rehabilitation protocols. Regardless of the severity, ligament rehabilitation is best treated with the expertise of a trained physiotherapist.
Tendinitis
A tendon is a structure that attaches a muscle to a bone. It allows larger muscles to reach smaller spaces giving us greater strength with a significant increase in efficiency (excellence in design). Tendinitis simply means that the tendon is inflamed, “Tendon Swelling”. This happens typically as the result of excessive force or wear.
Muscle and Tendon strain
A strain is an injury that occurs when a level of force is applied to part of the body that causes a deformation that does not recover when the force is removed. It often results when a muscle or a tendon is stretched too far. This happens typically as the result of excessive force load or when force is applied too rapidly. It is commonly called a “pulled muscle” or a “pulled tendon”.
Arthritis
A medical term for “Joint Swelling” also commonly referred to as Osteoarthritis. There are a variety of causes for Joint Swelling ranging from sudden forces (acute injury) to a more gradual wear as a result of improper or excessive use (chronic onset). The result of Arthritis is often painful loss of ankle motion, muscle weakness, and difficulty performing normal activities of Daily Life.
Plantar Fasciitis
The plantar fascia is a tough fibrous band of tissue that runs along the sole of the foot supporting the arches of the foot and assisting in force transmission. Plantar Fasciitis is simply Inflammation in this Fascia. It is one of the most common causes of heel pain. Knowing how this fascia interacts with other fascia in the leg is essential for properly managing this injury.
Post Fracture Rehabilitation
A fracture is a break or a crack in a bone. Fractures can range from simple cracks to very large traumatic breaks. While a smaller crack may heal on its own, more significant trauma could require surgical intervention for proper repair of the bony structure. Regardless of the severity, fracture treatment typically involves a period of immobilization, either with a cast, splint or with an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) surgery. While physiotherapy does not typically engage in aiding bony repair it is invaluable in dealing with the consequences of immobilization. The two most common consequences of immobilization are weakness and reduced range of motion. Physiotherapists are amongst the most capable professionals at resolving these two impairments. Once cleared by their Family Doctor post fracture rehabilitation is best done as early as is safely possible.
Our physiotherapy approach at Newcastle Village Physiotherapy always involves a comprehensive physical assessment by the most experienced team of Physiotherapists in the Newcastle area. We are extremely familiar with the structures of the foot and ankle, its mobility and stability requirements and the ways the ankle and foot interact with rest of the leg and body function as a whole.
Once assessed an individualized plan will be created just for you. Together we will work as a team to remove the source of the impairment. Proper positioning and restoring the natural balance within the ankle and foot is achieved with strengthening, stretching and manual therapy, mobility exercises, posture correction, balance and education. Together we will work to help you reduce your foot and ankle pain while rebuilding and restoring the function of this complex area.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have or to book an appointment today.