Before we look at how physical therapy can help various foot and ankle problems, let’s go over some of the most common types of injuries and issues associated with these two body parts:
Turf Toe: This occurs when an individual sustains a sprain to the ligaments of the big toe joint. It is quite common among professional athletes.
Plantar Fasciitis: When there is a strain of the flat band of the tissue connecting a person’s heel bones to their toes, it is known as plantar fascitis. People dealing with this affliction complain of heel pain due to the band (known as the plantar fascia) becoming weak, swollen, or otherwise irritated.
Bunion: This is a bony bump that is found at the base of the big toe joint. It causes the big toe to turn towards the second toe, resulting in both pain and discomfort.
Achilles Tendonitis: This occurs when the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed.
Achilles Rupture: When the Achilles tendon is separated or tears, it is considered an Achilles rupture. This typically happens due to a sudden, forceful action in the calf area.
Broken Ankle: This is when one or more of the bones in the ankle is broken.
Metatarsalgia: When someone is experiencing pain and inflammation in the forefoot – usually due to overuse – it is considered metatarsalgia.
Foot and Ankle Stress Fractures: Stress fractures are tiny breaks in the bone that usually occur because of repetitive stress to the area.
These are just a few of the most common foot and ankle injuries that may benefit from physical therapy rehabilitation.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
If you have sustained a serious injury to your foot or ankle, you may consider looking into a focused physical therapy program. Physical therapy can help improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion, all while targeting certain muscles. In addition to correcting problems from sports and overuse injuries, physical therapy can also address problems related to recovery from foot or ankle surgery. The regimen you will undergo for your foot and ankle injury will depend on your specific problem and your doctor’s recommendations.
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