Conditions We Treat – Ankle and Food

Heel and Foot Pain

What is Heel & Foot Pain?

Heel and foot pain is a common complaint among athletes, but it is also experienced by non-athletes periodically. It is often characterized as general pain felt along the bottom of the foot and is most often experienced by those who have obtained prior running injuries. 

Causes include:

  • Plantar fasciitis 
  • Achilles tendonitis 
  • Stress fractures due to osteoporosis and running injuries 

What does Heel and Foot Pain feel like?

  • General pain along the bottom of the foot 
  • Increased pain upon contact with the floor
  • Increased pain when pressure is applied 

How can Heel and Foot Pain be managed?

  • Treatment

    • Physiotherapy 
    • Massage Therapy 
    • Osteopathy 
    • Chiropractic adjustments and manipulations 

Ankle Pain

What is Ankle Pain?

Ankle pain is characterized as generalized pain around the ankle. Sometimes, the pain runs down to the foot, or up the leg. Ankle pain is very common, with the most common reason being a sprained ankle. Overall, it may be caused by general wear and tear, nerve pain, and joint inflammation. Ankle pain will often restrict the mobility of the individual. 

What causes Ankle Pain?

  • Accidental/Sports injury to the ankle ligament
  • Twisted or sprained ankle
  • Rheumatoid arthritis 
  • Diabetic pain conditions
  • Bone stress injury 
  • Systemic and nerve related conditions 

What does Ankle Pain feel like?

  • Swelling around the ankle 
  • Redness around the joint
  • Dull, aching pain
  • Popping sound during the injury
  • Ankle resting at an odd angle
  • Pain in ankle and heel, along with pain in calf when standing on the tiptoes

How can Ankle Pain be managed?

  • Treatment

    • Physiotherapy 
    • Resting when the injury is obtained 
    • Bracing the injury using some compression 
    • Pain relief medication 
    • Exercises and active rehabilitation 
    • Massage Therapy 
    • Acupuncture 
    • Chiropractic manipulations and adjustments 

Achilles Tendonitis

What is Achilles Tendonitis?

Achilles tendonitis is the inflammation of the achilles tendon. This tendon is located on the back side of the foot, around ankle level. The inflammation is not often due to one specific event, but rather due to general wear and tear. It is common among joggers and jumpers who often engage in running, jumping, and sprinting. 

What causes Achilles Tendonitis?

  • Overall wear and tear of tendon over time 
  • Partaking in repeated activities which involve running, jumping, and sprinting
  • Lower calf muscle / extremity weakness

What does Achilles Tendonitis feel like?

  • Stiffness, pain, and strength loss near the back of the ankle 
  • Discomfort and symptoms above worsening at night 
  • Overall increase in pain during the usage of the achilles tendon 
  • Tenderness, redness, and warmth on the heel
  • A ‘crunchy’ sound upon the usage of the tendon 

How can Achilles Tendonitis be managed?

  • Treatment

    • Physiotherapy 
    • Reduced physical activity that are aggravating the condition
    • Pain & anti-inflammatory medication
    • Joint mobilization
    • Massage Therapy
    • Acupuncture
    • Osteotherapy
    • Orthotics to address foot/ankle biomechanics

Plantar Fasciitis

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar Fasciitis is often characterised as pain in the plantar fascia, which is a connective tissue band which runs from the bottom of the heel bone towards the toes. As such, pain is often felt in the bottom of the heel or the arch of the foot. Too much pressure on the connective tissue, or repetitive overstretching may tear the tissue and cause pain. 

Causes:

  • Injuries from sports which require them to push off their toes more than their heels (basketball, runners, ect). 
  • Occupations which require them to stand a lot (teachers, waitresses, ect) 
  • Poor foot biomechanics 
  • Limited ankle movement 
  • Weak foot and ankle muscles 
  • Flat feet

What does Plantar Fasciitis feel like?

Symptoms:

  • Pain along the bottom of the foot, specifically the heel and arch of the foot
    • Pain can be characterised as dull, or stabbing
  • Worsened pain after rest (e.g. mornings) 
  • Sharp pain which dulls after taking a few steps 

How can Plantar Fasciitis be managed?

Treatment

  • Physiotherapy 
  • Manual therapy 
  • Modalities 
  • Mobility exercises 
  • Strengthening exercises 

Metatarsalgia

What is Metatarsalgia?

Metatarsalgia is characterised as mild to intense foot pain caused by the disruption of the metatarsus bones in the foot. The metatarses are the long bones in the foot which distributes the weight of a body when standing, walking, running, ect. The damage of one of the bones, or its disruption from its original position affects all of the bones and will result in dysfunction.

Causes include:

  • Bone abnormalities 
  • Diabetes 
  • Disruption of the posture of metatarsals 
  • Poor foot biomechanics 

What does Metatarsalgia feel like?

  • Symptoms: 

    • Mild to intense pain in the ball of the feet 
    • Pain grows in intensity with any physical activity such as walking and playing sports
    • Feeling uncomfortable when wearing socks and shoes

How can Metatarsalgia be managed?

  • Treatment: 

    • Podiatry 
    • Physiotherapy 
    • Oblique osteotomy 
    • Wearing semi-rigid orthotics 
    • Changing shoes, resting, using metatarsal pads 
    • Massage therapy
    • Chiropractic
    • Osteopathy

Sesamoiditis

What is Sesamoiditis?

Sesamoiditis is the inflammation of the sesamoid bones which rest in the foot near the base of the toes. These bones act as pulleys when you walk, helping you move your toes and bear the weight of your body. Repeated pressure, tension, or force on the big toe can cause sesamoiditis resulting in pain and decreased mobility. 

Causes include: 

  • Overuse of the sesamoid bones due to frequent bearing of weight on the toes (primarily affects dancers, runners, and athletes) 
  • Wearing high heels / shoes with little support 
  • Eating disorders 
  • Osteoporosis 

What does Sesamoiditis feel like?

  • Pain under the big toe 
  • Redness, swelling, and bruising of the ball of one’s feet
  • Difficulty walking due to localised pain 
  • Difficulty bending the big toe

How can Sesamoiditis be managed?

Treatment: 

  • Physiotherapy to help manage the pain 
  • Osteopathy
  • Chiropractic
  • Acupuncture 
  • Dry needling 
  • Interferential current 
  • Laser therapy 
  • Manual therapy 
  • Orthotics