Foot and Ankle Injury

The foot and ankle are both complex anatomical structures that provide mobility as well as balance and support for the weight of your entire body. Pain felt in the foot or ankle may only be a minor and quick to pass, but chronic or intense discomfort can be a sign of a more serious condition that should be treated so as to prevent acceleration and further deterioration.

Common symptoms

Common symptoms of foot or ankle injury include swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or bruising in the affected area, as well as difficulty standing or walking. Foot and ankle injuries can be acute or can develop over time from repetitive motion or overuse.

Common Causes

Some of the most common causes of foot and ankle pain include:

Arthritis

‍Some common forms of Arthritis include rheumatoid, psoriatic, post-traumatic, and osteoarthritis. Signified by painful inflammation due to degeneration of the joint ccarteage. Symptoms often include swelling, tenderness, sharp pain, and sometimes fever.

Bursitis

‍Bursitis is often brought on by injury or infection that causes inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that are responsible for reducing friction in our joints. Pain, swelling, tenderness, or reduced range of motion are common symptoms of Bursitis.

Fracture

Symptoms of a broken bone include pain that intensifies when the affected area is moved or pressure is applied, swelling, bruising, and loss of function. Stress fractures are hairline cracks in a bone that often happen with repeated stress or activity over time.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar Fasciitis is an inflammation of the thick tissue on the underside of the foot, called the plantar fascia. That tissue connects the heel bone to the toes and is a vital part of the arch of the foot. The exact cause of plantar fasciitis can be hard to identify, usually its a mix of poor balance, decreased range of motion in the ankle joint, change in shoewear and increased activity to name a few.

Sprains and Strains

‍Our feet and ankles are made up of many ligaments. Sprains occur when these ligaments are stretched or torn. Sprains can be painful and vary in severity from a slight stretch to a complete tear or rupture. The difference between a  strain and sprain is that a strain occurs in the muscle as opposed to the ligament.

Tendonitis

‍Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons which are thick rope-like tissues that connect muscles to the bone. Tendonitis is most often caused by overuse, so called repetitive strain injuries, but may be caused by acute injury as well. Symptoms include pain in the affected area and loss of range of motion.

How Can Osteopathic Treatment Help Those With Foot And Ankle Pain?

Osteopathic care can be a great way to manage and relieve swelling and discomfort of the lower leg caused by knee, foot and ankle pain. Routine Osteopathic care provides a safe alternative for anti inflammatory drugs.

More so here at Move Easy Osteopathy clinic we provide a proven way for you to improve the function of your whole body. Providing a better environment for your ankles and feet to recover and heal.