Most of us depend on our feet for a good portion of each day. We need to stand, walk, maybe even run. If you are suffering from foot or ankle pain, just getting from one room to another can be a challenge, not to mention going up and down stairs, or driving a car.
Your feet and ankles are made up of a complex structure of bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Any disruption of these tissues and how they work together can cause pain and impact your ability to get through the day.
There are both acute and chronic conditions that can create pain in the foot and/or ankle. Acute causes include:
- Sprain- when a ligament is stretched too far or torn
- Strain- when a muscle or tendon is stretched too far or torn
- Fracture- when one or more of the bones are cracked or broken. This may result in surgery to reposition the bones and/or install stabilizing hardware. If you have gone through foot or ankle surgery, physical therapy is essential to restore stability and full range of motion to the joint.
Chronic causes of foot or ankle pain include:
- Arthritis- inflammation of the joints that can occur at any age
- Tendinitis- inflammation of the tendons due to overuse
- Bursitis- irritation of the bursae, which are fluid-filled sacs that protect the tendons from rubbing directly on the bones
- Plantar Fasciitis- inflammation of the connective tissue on the bottom of the feet, caused by overuse, improper posture, or inadequate footwear
Fortunately, physical therapy has been proven to help with all these issues, both acute and chronic.
Ready to start feeling better?
Call to schedule your first appointment today!
(503) 699-2955
