Ankle Pain
This can result from the referred pain, tendonitis (e.g. Achilles tendonitis), ligament sprains and tears.
Referred Pain – This can result from the knee, hip or the lower back region. It can also come from the foot to the ankle.
Achilles Tendonitis – This gives pain at the back of the heel going into the calf muscle. It can result from sporting injury or falls or irritation of the tendon through bad footwear in running, other sports.
It can be treated with ergonomic advice, mobilisation of the joints and use of heel lifts to take the pressure away from the calf muscle.
In some repetitive tendonitis injuries, the tendon can become weak and then a further injury to it can cause a partial or complete tear in which case surgical intervention may be necessary.
Once the healing has occurred then the cause of the tendonitis can be further analysed and if needed the Foot Orthotics can be prescribed.
Ankle Sprains and Strains – This is the most common ankle injury and most of us have had this at one time or another.
It is often when someone looses their balance and their ankle suddenly collapses under them twisting and straining the joint, ligaments and, surrounding muscles. The ankle often swells up very quickly as a result and in severe cases tearing of the ligaments has to be ruled out.
On occasions where there is repetitive chronic ankle sprain injuries, the Chiropractor will be able to give ankle proprioception exercises (balance exercises – wobble board) to strengthen the ankle as well as assess and prescribe the Foot Orthotics when necessary.
Plantar Fasciatis – This causes heel pain and pain under the arch of the foot, and it is the result of a fallen arch in the foot which causes the attachment site of the fascia (the covering) of the foot tendons to inflame and cause pain.
When you are sitting or sleeping the body repairs the inflamed area with scar tissue, and when you take your first steps in the morning or when you stand and walk after sitting, the scar tissue tears under your body weight and causes the acute pain. This is why classically this causes pain first thing in the morning or after prolonged sitting, especially the first few steps. And as you walk and take more steps, you will find that the pain will dissipate.
It can also be complicated by; a heel spur when the condition is long standing, as the constant pull on the attachment of the fascia to the heel bone creates a spur formation and knots (trigger points) in shin muscles which refer the pain in the foot arch and heel area.
The reason behind the problem needs to be addressed. For e.g. the use of custom made Foot Orthotics, our Chiropractors will be able to advise you on the action required.
