Foot and ankle conditions are very common for every age group. Even if it’s just general discomfort, foot and ankle conditions cause a lot of problems with daily, functional activities. The most frequent complaint we see in the clinic is pain at the ankle joint that can radiate up into the leg or down into the heel. This symptom causes difficulty walking or standing for a prolonged period of time. It can also create trouble going from a seated position to a standing one without pain.
What Happens When Foot and Ankle Problems are Not Taken Care Of?
If foot pain is not taken care of, it can cause dysfunctions up the chain in your knee, hip and even your back. That’s because to compensate for this pain in your foot and ankle, you have an abnormal gait or walking pattern. The movements you use to perform a normal activity are also altered to try and avoid that pain.
Causes of Foot and Ankle Problems
Foot and ankle pain can stem from a number of factors. Some common ones include:
- Poor footwear
- Weakness in the intrinsic foot muscles
- Poor foot anatomy such has a flat foot or high arches
- Chronic issues with lower back, hip or the knee that causes pain down into the foot and ankle
How PT Can Help
Physical therapy is a very effective treatment method to relieve foot and ankle pain. Physical therapy will help decrease pain and inflammation, improve joint mobility, decrease muscle tightness, and improve motor control of the ankle’s stabilizing muscles. At Loudoun Sports Therapy Center, our expert physical therapists will fully evaluate your foot and ankle and associated symptoms to help restore your full function. Physical therapy will help improve strength and stability of the ankle and foot joint, and will get you back to your normal lifestyle.
