Ankle Pain

Why are feet and ankle problems so common?

Our feet bear the brunt of everything we do in our daily lives once we’re upright.

They absorb the shock impact of all of the steps, stumbles and heavy jogging strikes that we ask of them. And, of course, we often “ask” this while wearing high heels, or other footwear with virtually no support where it’s needed.

In fact, the lower part of our body is such a complex interplay of bones, tendons and joints that it shouldn’t be a surprise when some sort of problem eventually shows up.

You probably won’t be able to “outrun” some level of ankle or foot pain in your lifetime, whether you’re a sports junkie or a couch potato.

Ironically, both a very active lifestyle and an extremely sedentary one can lead to foot and ankle pain, and aging is often a factor as well.

What types of conditions can be helped with physical therapy?

With the legs’ tibia and fibula bones coming together at the ankle and arching over the foot’s talus bone, problems in your feet can influence ankle pain, and vice versa — as well as put stress on your knees, and throw off hip and spine alignment.

For that reason, the number of problems addressed by physical therapy relating to feet and ankles is fairly substantial.

Conditions include:

. Balance and mobility issues

. Plantar fasciitis

. Achilles tendonitis

. Sprained ankles

. Collapsed arches

. Non-specific foot pain

. Arthritis of foot and ankle

. Sports injuries

. Post-surgical rehabilitation