Treating Ankle Pain and Foot Injuries

Although common in athletes, ankle injuries can happen to anyone, anytime, and anywhere. Everyday activities such as walking can cause a debilitating, painful sprain. Fractures are another common type of foot injuries. It’s also possible to tear or strain a tendon or ligament. They are usually defined by the kind of tissue damaged – whether it is a bone, tendon or ligament. A fracture is a break in one or more of the ankle bones while a sprain is damage to ligaments when they are overstretched. A strain is damage to muscles and tendons resulting from being pulled or stretched too far. The result of all these ankle injuries is ankle pain.   Treatment for ankle injuries A 2007 study published in the Autonomous Robotics Journal, it was established that physiotherapy can be used to treat ankle injuries. Here is how it is done.

• Fractures

When you present yourself with an ankle injury to Core Physiotherapy in Brighton LE Sands, the first thing we do is diagnose the foot injury, before we can recommend treatment. Some foot injuries such as bone fractures may require surgery. If is a problem that requires non-surgical treatment, the physiotherapist may put you in a cast. As soon as the broken bone heals, and it has been determined it is the right time to start moving again, the next step in the treatment cycle is physiotherapy. This involves gait training, strengthening, balance, and mobility exercises.

• Sprains

In the case of sprains, treatment depends on how severe the injury is – it could be mild, moderate or severe causing ankle pain. If you have a mild sprain, there is no need for a cast or splint. The treatment for this kinds of foot injuries is mainly physiotherapy. Your Physiotherapist at Core Physiotherapy Brighton LE Sands may ask you to try all kinds of motions, stretching and strengthening exercises to put you back into shape within a very short time. If you have a moderate sprain, the Physiotherapist while recommending physiotherapy but give you more time to get over your ankle pain before commencing treatment. Initially immobilization of the ankle using a splint or boot may be necessary. Because of the ankle pain you are going through, you will be given exercises to do to improve your range of motion. This will then be followed by physiotherapy exercises such as stretching to help you get full use of your foot. Severe foot injuries, where there is a tear or complete rupture of ligaments, are treated by immobilization followed by relatively longer periods of physiotherapy. Your Physiotherapist is likely to recommend motion, stretching, and strength building exercises. However, so as not to make ankle pain severe, you may first have to rest for about one week to protect your ankle until the swelling goes down. You will then have to go through at least one week of physiotherapy. With these kinds of ankle injuries, it can take between a few weeks and months before full function can be restored.

• Tendon injuries

The recommendations of for treating tendon injuries are similar to those of treating sprains. So, if for some reason you find yourself with ankle injuries, talk to Core Physiotherapy in Brighton LE Sands for the best service.