Foot – Ankle
Foot and ankle injuries can be broken down easily into traumatic and overuse injuries.
Traumatic injuries include:
- Lateral ankle sprain (by far the most frequently sprained ligament in the body)
- This occurs easily by rolling your ankle
- A mid- foot sprain
Overuse injuries include:
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Plantar Fasciopathy (incorrectly called fasciitis by many)
- Common cause of heel pain
- Stress Fractures of both the foot and ankle – often from faulty running style
- Arthritis – wear and tear, not from overuse as much as misus
Postural faults or deformities in the foot can also create muscle imbalances throughout the lower extremities. Common ones are:
- Bunion
- Flat feet (Pes Planus)
- High rigid arches (Pes Cavus)
- Stiffness in great toe (Hallux Rigidus)
Many nerves cross the ankle into the foot, and many healthcare professionals will overlook nerve entrapment as a cause of your foot/ankle pain. These nerves are:
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
- You can think of it as the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome of the foot!
- Medial or Lateral Plantar Nerve Entrapment: Often mistaken for “Plantar Fasciitis” and will not respond to the same treatment
- Fibular Nerve Entrapment: Commonly aggravated by an ankle sprain
If your foot or ankle gets in the way of moving easily, come see us. We have many tools that will improve your alignment, balance, strength and flexibility to allow you to dance or dash through life with grace and ease.
