Foot and Ankle Pain

Living with Daily Foot/Ankle Pain? We Can Help You Move Comfortably Again

Moving Around Shouldn’t be a Chore!

Most of us spend a significant amount of time using our legs every day. We’re supposed to be able to stand, walk, and run, right? Foot and ankle pain can have a negative impact on your quality of life. It can occur for a variety of reasons, but there is hope: Orthopedic Sports Therapy in Ahwatukee, Biltmore and Tempe, AZ can assist you in locating the source of your pain and getting you back on your feet ASAP.

When you are living with foot or ankle pain, it can be frightening to take the stairs, walk down the street, or even drive your car.

Fortunately, physical therapy has been shown to help with the rehabilitation of foot and ankle injuries as well as the relief of acute and chronic pain.

Call us today at (480) 921-9000 to speak with one of our licensed and qualified physical therapists in Ahwatukee, Biltmore or Tempe, AZ about how we can help you!

How can a physical therapist relieve my foot/ankle pain?

If you or a loved one has been noticing foot or ankle pain, Orthopedic Sports Therapy can help! You can be confident that we will have you back on your feet in no time.

During your initial appointment, your physical therapist will perform a thorough assessment to determine the source of your pain and then create a personalized treatment plan for your condition.

The majority of our treatment plans incorporate specialized hands-on manual therapy techniques, exercises, and stretches to restore joint mobility, improve balance, and strengthen the foot and ankle muscles.

We will do everything in our power to alleviate your discomfort and improve your strength and circulation, so you can get back to moving with ease.

We will also re-evaluate your treatment plan over time and may recommend lifestyle changes or orthotics to prevent re-injury or additional problems in the future.

Why did I develop a foot/ankle injury?

Your feet and ankles are complex mechanical structures that must function in tandem with one another.

The foot contains over two dozen bones, 30 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Because of all of the complicated structures that make up these joints, pain in your feet and ankles is very common.

A variety of events in your life may cause foot and ankle pain. An injury to the foot or ankle can cause excruciating pain and make it difficult to bear weight and walk, let alone hike or run. Even minor pain can lead to physical limitations in your daily life.

However, with physical therapy in Ahwatukee, Biltmore or Tempe, AZ, we can help you ease these limitations so you can move around more comfortably and get back to sports and doing what you love without pain.

What’s causing my foot/ankle pain?

The legs and ankles are complex structures. There are many of reasons why you may have developed pain.

Foot and ankle pain may occur suddenly due to acute injury or may develop over time due to chronic underlying conditions.

There are several common causes of foot pain and ankle pain, including, but not limited to the following:

Bursitis

Bursitis occurs when the tendons rub against the “bursae” or anti-friction sacs, causing them to become irritated and uncomfortable.

This condition can also occur in a person’s elbow, shoulder, and hip, although the foot and heel are most commonly affected.

Fractures

A fracture occurs from excessive force, trauma or excessive overuse (often seen in runners) to the bone, causing it to 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 happens when the connective tissue, or “fascia”, on the bottom of the feet becomes inflamed.

This can occur from aggravated overuse, such as constant standing, improper leg kinetic chain balance, or footwear that lacks proper arch support.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when the tarsal tunnel (the nerve that runs from the inner ankle to the foot) becomes pinched and painfully inflamed.

Symptoms include sharp, shooting pains, feelings of “pins and needles” and burning sensations at the inner aspect of the foot, especially near the inner ankle bone.

Strains and sprains

Sprains and strains happen often, and oftentimes, they get confused with each other! A sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched too far or torn, while a strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is stretched too far.

This results in pain at either the inner or outer aspect of the ankle, usually near the ankle bone. Both of these injuries should be checked out by your physical therapist at Orthopedic Sports Therapy to ensure no lasting damage will occur.

Chronic ankle sprains, common with basketball players, skateboarders, and hikers develop when someone repeatedly sprains their ankle, and it never fully heals. The licensed physical therapists at Orthopedic Sports Therapy have many methods to successfully treat chronic and acute ankle sprains.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis occurs from excessive overuse of the tendons, causing them to become inflamed for a long time. Achilles tendinitis, which results in pain at the heel or back of the ankle, is the most common tendon problem in the foot.

Tendinitis can pose challenges to even the simplest of activities, such as standing up from a chair, going upstairs or even just walking.

To make it worse, tendinitis can worsen over time, becoming chronic and incredibly painful.

Fallen arches

Your foot contains several structures that work together to form your arch. When the tendons pull together properly, your foot will form a proper arch.

However, when the tendons do not pull together properly, your foot will form a very small arch or no arch at all. This is referred to as “fallen arch” or “flat foot” and can cause pain or discomfort with time.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a common ailment that affects many people yet many people wait far too long to seek expert care for their hurting joints.

The most common types include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both types of arthritis can greatly impact the foot and ankle joints. Arthritis can also affect anyone at any age.

Contact us to get moving with ease once again!

Don’t let foot and ankle pain control your life. You should be able to move without pain!

Our physical therapy practice will help you regain your mobility, comfort, and overall function while also removing painful restrictions.

Please contact Orthopedic Sports Therapy today to schedule an appointment. We’ll get you back up and running as soon as possible!