Foot and Ankle Pain

Is Pain in Your Foot or Ankles Holding You Back?

Move Freely Once Again With The Help of Physical Therapy

Most of us spend a good amount of time using our feet every day. If you are suffering from foot and ankle pain, your quality of life can be greatly impacted.

Dealing with pain in your feet or ankles can cause dread and agony when taking the stairs, walking a block to your office, or even driving your car. Foot and ankle pain can stem from a variety of different causes, but there is good news ahead! Benton Physical Therapy, Malvern Physical Therapy and ProActive Physical Therapy can help get to the source of your pain, and get you back on track.

Physical therapy has been proven to help with the rehabilitation of injured extremities, in addition to providing relief for both acute and chronic pain.

Contact us today to speak with one of our licensed Sheridan, Malvern, Benton, and Bryant, AR physical therapists and learn more about how our services can benefit you!

Foot and ankle pain can get in the way of your routine

Your feet and your ankles are complex mechanical structures that must work together in harmony in order to function at their optimal level. The Arthritis Foundation states that the ankle joint consists of three bones that all must interact with one another correctly, along with the various connective tissues that hold the assembly of the joint together.

The foot is even more complex, containing approximately two dozen bones, 30 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Because of all the complicated structures that make up your feet and ankles, pain in those areas is a very common affliction.

There are several things that can happen to you to cause foot and ankle pain. An injury to your foot or ankle can result in pain so severe that you avoid putting your weight down.

This leaves you with only two options; hopping around, risking injury to your other foot, or worse, being stuck in a chair, unable to go anywhere, and take care of yourself or others. Even mild pain can cause physical limitations in your daily life!

Possible causes of your foot/ankle pain

There are tons of reasons you might be experiencing pain in your feet or ankles. Foot and ankle pain can occur suddenly due to an acute injury, or it can develop over time in relation to a chronic, underlying condition.

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several common causes of foot pain and ankle pain, including:

Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when the tarsal tunnel (the nerve that runs from the ankle to the foot) becomes pinched and painfully inflamed.

Strains and sprains

These are very common injuries, and oftentimes, they get confused with each other! A sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched too far or torn, while a strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is stretched too far.

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation in the connective tissue on the bottom of your foot. This can occur from aggravated overuse, such as constant standing, improper posture, or footwear that lacks proper arch support.

Fractures

A fracture occurs from excessive force or trauma to the bone, causing it to crack or break entirely. A fracture to the foot or ankle could result in weeks of downtime to ensure proper healing.

Bursitis

Bursitis occurs when the tendons rub against the “bursae” or anti-friction sacs, causing them to become irritated and uncomfortable.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a common inflammatory condition that affects the joints and results in pain; the most common types including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both types of arthritis can greatly impact the foot and ankle joints.

Fallen arches

Your foot contains several tendons that work together to form your arch. When the tendons pull together properly, your foot will form a proper arch. However, when the tendons do not pull together properly, your foot will form a very small arch, or no arch at all. This is referred to as “fallen arch” or “flat foot” and can cause pain or discomfort with time.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis occurs from excessive overuse of the tendons, causing them to become inflamed for a long time.

Physical therapy can help with foot and ankle pain

If you or a loved one are suffering from foot and ankle pain, there is relief to be found here at Benton Physical Therapy, Malvern Physical Therapy and ProActive Physical Therapy! During your first appointment, our Sheridan, Malvern, Benton, and Bryant, AR physical therapists will conduct a thorough examination to confirm what is causing your pain, and then they will create a personalized treatment plan for you specifically.

Typically, treatment plans include a combination of specialized hands-on manual therapy techniques, exercises, and stretching, in order to restore joint mobility, improve balance, and strengthen the foot and ankle muscles.

Your treatment plan may also include exercises on a balance board, as well as other specialized services. Rest assured that we will do all we can to ease your pain quickly and boost your circulation.

We will also evaluate and recommend lifestyle changes or orthotic footwear to prevent more problems in the future.

Begin treatment today at Benton Physical Therapy, Malvern Physical Therapy and ProActive Physical Therapy

Don’t let foot and ankle pain slow you down! You deserve to walk and run without wincing in pain. Our Sheridan, Malvern, Benton, and Bryant, AR physical therapy practice will help you dictate your own mobility, comfort, and overall function, free from the limitations of pain.

Contact Benton Physical Therapy, Malvern Physical Therapy and ProActive Physical Therapy today to request your appointment. We’ll help you get back on your feet in no time!