4 really common issues that trigger foot and ankle pain

Our feet are our foundation, so it is only natural that they support the rest of our body when we move. Foot and ankle pain can be caused by a number of issues, and it should be addressed to ensure that you’re functioning at your optimal level.

4 common sources of foot and ankle pain

Here are some common issues that initiate foot and ankle pain:

• Achilles tendon rupture — Achilles tendon ruptures (ATRs) are among the most common pathologies seen in humans. The Achilles tendon attaches your calf muscles to your heel bone. A rupture of this heel structure is typically caused by overstretching it while playing sports, forcefully flexing the heel or falling.

• Flat feet — Pes planus is also known as flatfoot. This condition is the loss of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot. In lay terms, when the foot loses its arch, it causes the whole foot to make contact with the surface the individual is standing or walking on. This issue typically triggers pain in the affected foot’s arch. Flatfoot sufferers may also experience pain in their heel, ankle or lower leg. 

• Bone spurs — Bone spurs are smooth, solid bumps of extra bone that form on the ends of bones. They tend to appear at joints, where two bones meet. You can get bone spurs in many places, including your feet. You might feel pain and stiffness if they rub against other bones or press on nerves. In the right position, a foot bone spur can cause pain to radiate into other parts of your body, such as your ankle. 

• Tendinitis — Tendinitis is the inflammation of the tendons, the tissue that connects muscle to bone, in the foot and ankle. Tendinitis can occur due to overuse, abnormal bone structure or injury. 

How can physical therapy help? 

If you have an Achilles tendon injury, it can be treated with active and passive stretches during a physical therapy session. There are also other treatments physical therapists can use to treat this and other painful foot and ankle issues. Some of these include: 

• Soft tissue mobilization.
• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM).
• Dry needling.
• Redcord^® therapy.
• McKenzie Method^®.

Inflammation and pain may be reduced, and mobility improved, through a physical therapy plan that includes these and other techniques.

Do you need physical therapy for foot and ankle pain?

If your answer is yes, our Advent Physical Therapy team is here to help you treat your pain. We can do a free screening to help pinpoint the source of your pain. You can also work with our physical therapists to build a personalized treatment plan for your condition. Its goals? To help you decrease your pain and get back to the tasks that make up your daily routine. 

Contact us today for more information about how we can treat foot and ankle issues or to schedule your free consultation.