Ankle & Foot Pains

About Ankle & Foot Pain

Experiencing foot pain? Is it difficult to walk, exercise, or socialize due to this discomfort? It’s really no surprise. Your feet are some of the hardest working parts of your body. Every day, they serve as shock absorbers and buffer up to one million pounds of pressure as you traverse the world. Moreover, they support one and a half times your body weight when you walk, run, or jump.

Approximately 75 percent of Americans will contend with ankle and foot pain at some point in their lives, and if you’re one of them, you know how difficult management can be. Fortunately, you don’t have to be in agony any longer. Physical therapy can help treat the symptoms associated with sprains, strains, and more. Call us today to find out how.

What is Ankle and Foot Pain?

In short, ankle and foot pain refers to discomfort in the web of bones, ligaments, muscles, and tendons that comprise the foot or ankle. It can impact any area between your toes to your Achilles tendon at the back of your heel and can be long-lasting, in short bursts, or sporadic.

If you’re dealing with such pain, any pressure put on the foot can exacerbate the irritation. Running, jumping, walking, or stretching only amplifies the tenderness, which is an overwhelming motivator for people to pursue treatment.

Causes of Foot and Ankle Pain

Home to one-quarter of the bones in the human body, the foot boasts an impressive number of sensitive spots. There are 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 tendons, ligaments, and muscles in your tootsies, making the likelihood of injury tremendous. From footwear to inflammation, and from injuries to certain medical conditions, your feet are susceptible to pain with nearly every decision you make. And where your foot is involved, so too is the ankle. The foot and ankle go, well, hand in hand.

It’s no wonder then that foot injuries are incredibly common. A misstep, a sudden fall, a sharp object underfoot, and you could suddenly be in a lot of pain.

Here is a short list of some of the most common causes of foot pain:

Tendinitis
Stress fractures
Strains
Sprains
Septic arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Raynaud’s disease
Peripheral neuropathy
Osteoarthritis

High heels and poorly fitted shoes
Gout
Diabetic neuropathy
Bursitis
Broken bone
Bone spurs
Achilles tendon rupture
Achilles tendinitis

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Got great treatment from Hanna, Carlo, & Vicki. I rehabbed a shoulder after an extensive internal rotator cuff repair, and my wife rehabbed after a spinal fusion surgery. We are both thrilled with the care and the staff.
They have all the equipment, … More and a very comfortable atmosphere. We are both sucessfully finished with our PT, and would recommend them to anyone rehabbing after a surgery or an injury. Top notch care. Easy billing through insurance. Very satisfied.
S ★★★★★
Everyone at Forward Motion Physical Therapy is exceptional. They work as a team to provide excellent care and instruction as you navigate your therapy, helping you understand the source of your pain as well as how to improve it. Dr. Prata and Dr. Deckelbaum … More have extensive knowledge in the field and continue taking courses to stay up to date with the most current techniques. The Clifton office is easily accessible for those with mobility issues and has all the necessary equipment for your needs. I would highly recommend them.
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I highly recommend Forward Motion Physical Therapy. I went there around 3 years ago and received excellent care for my knee, which included care for my whole leg.
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Not just my therapists, Hannah and Vicky, but the PT assistants on the floor also paid attention to my exercises. They corrected my form and noted my improvements.
If I have more issues in the future I won't hesitate to give them a call.
NANCY A ★★★★★
Hanna and Vicky helped be back on my feet after hip replacement this summer. My workout plan was adjusted as I gained more strength and I was challenged. The exercises were do helpful and I haven’t felt this good in several years. I highly recommend … More this knowledgeable and professional group. Everyone was supportive and helpful.
JILL B ★★★★★
I have only had my initial session at Forward Motion for plantar fasciitis; however, I have already been impressed by the thoroughness of the assessment performed by Hanna Vazquez, as well as the efficacy of the initial exercises prescribed. In the afternoon … More after the session, I needed to walk to a number of different places, and the pain level was significantly decreased! Dealing with this problem and the associated imbalances and postural issues will take some time, but this was an extremely encouraging start!
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At forward physical therapy the whole staff work together to make you comfortable and achieve your goals as possible, not to mention that Denali is one of the best physical therapist with all his knowledge and experience.
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Forward Motion is the place to go for your physical therapy. Dr. Dan Prata is very knowledgeable as well as his entire staff. Everyone greets me with a smile and is happy to answer any questions that I have for them. I would recommend Forward Motion … More for any of your physical therapy needs.
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I’ve been to a couple physical therapy places and when I found Forward Motion I have never went to anyone else since then. I’ve been going for years now and HIGHLY recommend this one! The physical therapists are so warm, welcoming and personable and really … More make you feel comfortable and truly understand your issues. They’re very knowledgeable and actually care unlike many other physical therapy places. After every surgery I’ve had I’ve always left feeling better.
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After seeing other PTs for years and working through a series of injuries as a marathon runner, I met Hanna when I thought my running career was coming to an end. After 25 years in the sport, I didn’t think my body could handle the repetitive use anymore. … More Amazingly, Hanna recognized my symptoms at the first visit not as an overuse injury, but rather a nerve block. A quick adjustment and some stretching, and I walked out of her office pain free. I have continued to come back, and have worked with she and her staff on strength and stretching. I am so glad to have found Hanna, and have her to turn to when I need to get back on track.
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How Physical Therapy Helps Foot and Ankle Pain

Armed with a skilled physical therapist and a willingness on your part to actively participate in treatment, you can experience a significant decrease in foot pain and eliminate the majority of problems that people have with their feet and ankles. While there are a variety of home remedies, chronic or debilitating pain warrants a trip to a specialist.

In the realm of physical therapy, a person’s walking pattern is a window into their condition. It serves as a means for physical therapists to ascertain your level of functioning and determine if treatment is working. As such, you can expect a quick evaluation of your walk at every appointment. This will help direct the course of diagnosis and treatment.

Along with this essential element of treatment, a physical therapist will use a variety of tools to help alleviate your pain. This may include soft tissue massage/Graston Technique/ART, stretching techniques, manual manipulation, Class IV laser, and different exercises to help build strength and restore mobility while reducing pain.

In addition to the above techniques, your physical therapist may also recommend specialized footwear. Though many of us seek out soft shoes, this tendency plays a huge role in our discomfort. Well-developed orthotics can make a significant difference in your level of foot and ankle pain, and your physical therapist can recommend the most suitable option for you.

Procedures & Conditions

Foot

Bunionectomy

A bunionectomy is a surgery to remove bunions. A bunion is an enlargement of bone or soft tissues around the joint at the base of the big toe and results in a bump forming. Common causes of bunions are wearing too-small shoes, high heel shoes, and conditions such as arthritis. Surgery will be recommended if conservative treatments such as physical therapy, properly fitted shoes, and NSAIDs do not work. Depending on the severity of your bunion(s), the surgery and recovery time could vary greatly. There are three types of bunionectomy procedures: Akin Osteotomy for mild bunions, Chevron Osteotomy for moderate bunions, and Scarf Osteotomy for severe bunions.

After surgery, you’ll need to keep your foot elevated with a wedge pillow, use crutches, a wheelchair, and will need to keep your foot in a boot for a few weeks (depending on which type of bunion surgery you had). Physical therapy and exercise are recommended to strengthen, restore range of motion to the foot, and regain stability. Your bones will heal within 6 to 8 weeks, but it can take up to 6 months before you can do things like running again. Complete healing time can take up to 1 year in some cases if your bunion is more severe.

Achilles Tendon Repair

The Achilles tendon is a strong tendon that connects your calf muscles to the heel of your foot. The Achilles tendon is a vital part of the body and is why we can walk, run, and jump. This is the largest and strongest tendon of the body, but it can tear or rupture. It can tear due to a sudden and powerful force. The tear or rupture can happen during physical activity if you suddenly move faster or strangely pivot your foot. A ruptured Achilles tendon can cause pain and swelling near your heel, and you might not be able to bend your foot downward. Tendinitis can also cause the Achilles tendon to degenerate over time. Tendon repair surgery is almost always recommended for a ruptured Achilles tendon. Still, in some cases, your healthcare provider might suggest treating with pain management first or keeping your foot in a case temporarily to prevent your leg from moving. During Achilles tendon surgery, your surgeon will likely take a tendon from another part of your leg or foot to repair your Achilles tendon.

After surgery, your foot will likely be in a splint with a cast or a boot. Your foot will need to be stabilized for 6 to 12 weeks, but it will take several months until you have complete control of your foot, leg, and ankle. It will take 4 to 6 months before you can do intense activities such as sports, but consult with your physical therapist before engaging in any sports. Physical therapy and exercise are recommended to strengthen, restore range of motion to the foot, ankle, and leg, and regain stability.

Turf Toe

Surgery is generally not needed for Turf Toe and can be treated with physical therapy and anti-inflammatories. For Grade 1 Turf Toe, RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) is recommended for this injury. Your doctor may also prescribe orthotic insoles for your shoes. For a Grade 2 Turf Toe injury, your doctor may prescribe a walking boot for a week or two in addition to the same care you would do for Grade 1 Turf Toe. For Grade 3 Turf Toe, surgery may be needed. You will need to wear a boot for an extended period, or you may even need a cast to keep your foot in the proper position. Physical therapy will also be beneficial for you to help stretch and strengthen the big toe. If all conservative options don’t work, surgery will be the next step. The surgical procedure and healing time will vary from person to person.

Ankle

Ankle Fracture

Typically if you break an ankle, you’re not allowed to put your foot down or put weight on it for six weeks. Once your ankle is stable, your physical therapist will start loosening stiff bones and stretching ligaments and tendons. However, if you break your ankle in 2 or more places, it will determine whether or not you need surgery and how long you will be in a boot. The severity of your injury will also determine whether or not you need surgery. If you need surgery on your ankle due to having two or more breaks in it, your surgeon will likely perform an ORIF (Open, Reduction, and Internal Fixation) to stabilize and heal broken bones. After the surgery, physical therapy is recommended to restore the range of motion and strengthen your foot and ankle