Maintaining good foot and ankle health and function is important for performing for daily activities, including walking, working or playing sport. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and condition. Some conditions include:
- Plantar fasciitis: This occurs when there is inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. It can cause pain in the heel or arch of the foot and can making walking difficult and painful.
- Achilles tendinopathy: This is inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It can cause pain and stiffness in the ankle and difficutly walking.
- Ankle sprain: It is common to sprain or roll an ankle. When an ankle sprain occurs, the ligaments that connect the bones in the ankle and stabilise the joint can become stretched or torn. It can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the ankle.
- Stress fractures: These are small cracks in the bones of the foot or ankle that can be caused by overuse or repetitive stress. They can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness in the affected area.
- Osteoarthritis: osteoarthritis is a common condition that causes inflammation in the joints. It can affect the foot and ankle joints, causing pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion.
How can physiotherapy help?
Physiotherapy involves assessing all the potential contributing factors for your foot and/or ankle pain and can include;
- Strategies and treatment to reduce pain and inflammation
- Muscle retraining and motor contol
- Strengthening exercise program
- Manual therapy
- Activity modifications
- Education and advice