Health blog Category: Foot and Ankle
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar Fasciitis is one of the more common foot injuries we see here at Loudoun Sports Therapy Center. The pain can be caused by injury or an insidious onset. Some of the most common symptoms include stabbing or dull pain on bottom of foot or by the heel, many times greater in the morning. You may also feel or notice that the tissue on the bottom of your foot is tender to touch.
Common Causes of Plantar Fasciitis
- Performing a new activity too much too soon too fast
- Improper footwear
- Poor foot/ankle mechanics
- Insidious
Common Q&A
What is the Plantar Fascia?
Read full blogTake Steps To Treat Lower Extremity Problems
When is the last time you could walk the dog, go shopping, take your kids to the amusement park, go for a run, or even just stand for prolonged periods of time without experiencing nagging foot or ankle pain? If you or someone you know is experiencing foot/ankle pain, know that you are not alone. Approximately one-fourth of the population is affected by foot/ankle problems at any given time!
Foot/ankle conditions can present with a number of signs and symptoms including:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Redness
- Numbness/Tingling
- Burning sensation
- Inability to weight bear
- Stiffness
- Weakness
The foot and ankle are composed of 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Read full blogShoes, arch supports and heel cups
We get inquiries from patients all the time regarding footwear, flip flops and arch supports. Which type of shoes is right for you? Well, there is no one-shoe-fits all. The answer is more involved and depends upon your foot structure, your activity/sport, your gait pattern and your goals.
Not all flip flops are created equally. There are some flip flops that are extremely flat and flimsy. These types of flip flops provide no support for your feet or ankles, which puts you at a higher risk for developing plantar fasciitis, tendonitis or sustaining an ankle sprain.
Sprains, Strains and Automobiles
Have you ever “rolled” your ankle? Chances are that you have, because what is commonly referred to as a “rolled ankle” or ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries that people experience. It’s important to know though that once an ankle is sprained, the chances of re-spraining it go up dramatically. Fortunately, there are steps you can take in order to get back on your feet.
First, let’s talk about what happens when you “roll” your ankle.
Flip flops or ‘Flip Nots’?
It’s 90 degrees outside, the suns is beaming and you’re ready to head out and enjoy the day. As you’re heading out the door though, you’re faced with a dilemma: sneakers or flip flops? Of course, you want to choose your flip flops. They keep your feet cool, you can put them on and take them off quickly and let’s be honest, they’re just plain comfortable! However, along with that comfort comes some structural sacrifices.
Read full blogStep on Lower Extremity Problems
By Rachel Herrmann, DPT
A lot of people don’t like feet and don’t give much thought to their feet, but our feet and ankles do a lot for us. They help propel us as we walk, they help us stay level when we are hiking through the rugged mountain trails or through the shifting sands on the beach; They help us press on the gas pedal to get us through the yellow lights; they help us rise up taller so that we can look over the crowd of taller people blocking your view at a concert.
Mobility and Stability in the Lower Body
By Alyssa Burke, LPTA
Ankle and foot problems are common and can impact people of all ages and activity levels. Conditions in the foot and ankle can vary from fractures to sprains. When these injuries occur, it is often a result of an imbalance in the joint or surrounding soft tissues in your ankle. This imbalance usually pertains to a lack of mobility and or stability, two very important factors that allow your joints to function properly and prevent injuries.
Planning to get outside for a walk
By Alyssa Burke, LPTA
Walking is a great step to improve bone health and fitness. Springtime is a good time to get outside and be active. What better way to kick the winter blues and enjoy the beautiful spring weather than to go for a walk! Walking is one of the easiest ways to get a workout and it offers many physical and mental health benefits. It’s why the American Heart Association designates April as National Walking Day.
Planning to break out the flip flops
By Rachel Herrmann, DPT
Ankle and foot pain are common throughout the spring to summer months. Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, and posterior tibialis tendinitis are among the most common of the gradual onset foot and ankle pain during this time. Why are these issues so common around this time of the year? This is the time of year when the flip-flops and flimsy sandals come out. This is also the time of year when people start doing a lot more activity than they had been doing over the winter, especially, when a vacation rolls around.
First few steps in the morning uncomfortable?
By Kate Zanoni, LPTA
Have you ever experienced a sharp pain in the bottom of your foot when you take your first few steps in the morning? Does your ankle feel unstable or painful when you’re walking or running? Do you have difficulty balancing on one foot without holding onto something for support?
These are all signs of common foot and ankle conditions that we often treat in physical therapy. Although there are many contributing factors leading to the aforementioned symptoms, here is a breakdown of the most frequent causes of foot and ankle pain as well as resulting ankle instability.
