Ankle and Foot pain
Foot and ankle pain can arise secondary to an injury or the symptoms may come on gradually over time. The pain may be related to the biomechanics of your lower limb (how you move) which may be putting stress and strain on the tissues of the foot and ankle. In addition to pain you may experience stiffness, swelling, giving way or locking. In some cases foot pain is an indication of an underlying inflammatory condition, which may need treatment under a Rheumatologist. Julia at JW Physiotherapy can help in the diagnosis of inflammatory conditions and can advise when a referral to a Rheumatologist is appropriate.
Some Foot and Ankle Conditions...
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Tibialis posterior tendinopathy
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Ligament sprains
- Arthritis
- Mortons Neuroma
Ankle Sprains
An ankle sprain occurs when a ligament is over-stretched or in some cases torn. It is very common to have swelling and bruising. Most ankle sprains will settle within a couple of weeks with the appropriate advice and exercise. Some sprains can continue to be a problem and will require further treatment.
In the initial 48-72 hours after the injury apply the principles of RICE.
RICE: Rest (avoid walking too much for the first couple of days or use a crutch), Ice (wrap some ice in a damp towel and apply to the ankle for no longer than 10-15 minutes at a time, keep checking your ankle as ice can burn if left on for too long), Compression (you can wear a tubigrip in the early stage but this is NOT advised long term) and Elevation (Rest your ankle so that it is raised above the level of your heart)
After the initial few days it is important to exercise and move the ankle to promote healing and recovery back to function.
When to attend A&E...
If you heard a crack when you did the injury
If you are struggling to weight-bear on the ankle
If the ankle looks a different shape
If the ankle is numb, discoloured or cold to touch
Tendinopathies of the ankle and plantar fasciitis
A tendinopathy is an injury to the band of tissue (the tendon) that attaches muscle to bone. Common tendinopathies of the ankle involve the achilles, the large band attaching the calf to the heel, and the tibialis posterior, a tendon in the inner part of the ankle. Symptoms are pain, stiffness and sometimes swelling.
Plantar fasciitis/plantarfasciopathy is when the thick band of tissue under the sole of the foot gets painful due to wear or inflammation. Pain is often felt when there is pressure on the foot. Pain is unusally worse first thing in the morning and after rest.
For both conditions an appropriate loading programme guided by a physiotherapist has the best evidence to resolve the condition. Both unfortunately can be slow to improve but will generally resolve with appropriate treatment. Manual therapy can improve flexibility of the foot and ankle to help the condition and assessment of the foot biomechanics (how you move) is essential to prevent recurrence. JW Physiotherapy can assess, treat and guide you through an appropriate programme.