Foot and Ankle Pain Physiotherapy in Bristol
The foot and ankle form a complex system which consists of 28 bones, 33 joints, 112 ligaments, controlled by 34 muscles.
The ankle joint is comprised of 3 parts: the tibia and fibula (shin bones) meeting the talus (foot).
The foot however is a more complex series of bones that are usually separated into sections: rear foot (calcaneus and talus), midfoot (tarsal bones) and forefoot (metatarsals and phalanges (toes)). The foot and ankle joints function together as a mobile platform to help stabilise the lower limb when standing and walking, but also as a rigid lever to propel you forward while engaging in activity.
Common causes of musculoskeletal related pains tend to originate from bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles.
What is an ankle sprain?
Ankle sprain is a soft tissue injury typically occurring from an
inversion (inwards) or eversion (outwards) force.
Typically, there will be an event which causes pain ie slip, trip or fall.
Symptoms include:
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localised swelling
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bruising
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pain
The pain can be particularly strong in the first three weeks as this is the inflammatory phase of your body healing itself. Typically, these injuries last 4 to 6 weeks depending on the severity. At The Storm Clinic, you can receive appropriate care, education and therapy to help ease your pain to help you recover more effectively.
Common conditions
Ankle sprain - Bristol Physio
Achilles Tendon pain (tendinopathy)
Common symptoms
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You may notice a tender, warm, red lump at the back of your heel and the tendon may feel tighter than that of the opposite foot.
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The area may feel stiff for a short while in the morning (especially going downstairs), but settle when you start walking.
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Pain can occur when you have walked or run for a period of time and gets worse the more you walk or run. For some people however, they are able to exercise through the initial pain but then worsen again after rest.
What is it?
The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body and is the combined tendon of the two largest calf muscles, the gastrocnemius and soleus. It is situated at the back of the ankle and can be felt as a cord that connects the muscles of the calf to the heel
bone.
When the tendon contracts, it has the effect of pointing the foot down which is important for running, walking, jumping and stair climbing.
Despite being the strongest tendon in the body, it can sometimes be overloaded, causing discomfort and even pain.
Achilles tendinopathy causes are not fully understood however there are many factors that can increase the risk of developing it:
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Weak or tight calf muscles
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Stiff ankle joints
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Weight gain or being overweight
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Athletic training problems such as old or inappropriate footwear and lack of pacing i.e.: increasing intensity, distance or time of training too quickly. Lack of variation in training regimes can also cause overuse and discomfort.
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Some rheumatological conditions or diabetes
Plantar Fasciitis
What is it?
The plantar fascia is a strong fan-like band of
connective tissue that runs from the ball of your
foot and attaches to the heel bone. Its main
purpose is to support the arch of your foot when it
is placed under load.
Plantar fasciitis is a common condition
(sometimes known as Policeman’s Heel) is a condition in which there is persistent pain associated with degeneration of the plantar fascia as a result of repetitive microtears in the contracted fascia. It accounts for 11–15% of all foot complaints which require professional treatment.
What are the common symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
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Characteristic symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:
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An initial insidious onset of pain.
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Intense pain during the first steps after waking or after a period of inactivity.
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Pain that reduces with moderate activity, but worsens later during the day or after long periods of standing or walking.
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What causes plantar fasciitis?
It often occurs after extended periods of walking on hard surfaces or in different shoes (flip flops for example).
A gradual build up to new activities is recommended. .
There is sometimes no apparent reason as to why you have developed plantar fasciitis however some other possible causes include:
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being overweight,
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loss of range of movement in the ankle – this can be either due to joint stiffness or tight calf muscles.
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very high foot arches or the opposite – flat feet. Both of these can put strain on the plantar fascia
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poorly fitting shoes
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often diabetics get this condition
Physiotherapy Management
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy or "Shockwave" can reduce an individual having this chronic condition down from one year to a matter of weeks. Combined with strapping and advice on the best footwear, home exercises and pacing this is the treatment suggested in the NICE Guidelines. Click here to read more.
Morton's Neuroma - Bristol Physio
What is it?
Morton's neuroma is where there's a thickening of tissue
around a nerve, usually nerves between your 3rd and 4th
toes, in your foot that's been irritated or damaged. It is
more commonly found in women rather than men. It is
generally caused by wearing tight shoes or high heels.
Physiotherapy Management
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Advice on orthotics
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Extra Corporeal Shockwave therapy
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Strapping or taping
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Gait re-education
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Laser
Osteoarthritis of the foot and ankle
Osteoarthritis (os-tee-o-arth-ri-tis) is the most common type of arthritis. It mostly affects the hands, knees, hips and spine, but it can happen in any joint in the body, including the feet and ankles.
The joints in your body go through a normal cycle of damage and repair during your lifetime. But sometimes the process your body goes through to repair joints can change their shape or structure. When these changes happen in one or more of your joints, it’s called osteoarthritis.
The ends of our bones are covered in a tough but slippery surface, known as cartilage. This allows the bones to move against each other. The bones are held in place by ligaments. Tendons attached to our muscles and bones help us to move around.
Osteoarthritis causes damage to the cartilage, which results in pain and swelling, and can sometimes mean the bones rub against each other as we move. Osteoarthritis doesn’t just affect the cartilage, but can also cause damage to the bones, ligaments, tendons and lining of affected joints.
Common Symptoms
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pain and swelling in the affected joints
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stiffness, especially if you haven’t moved for a while
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joints looking bigger than normal.
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Some people with osteoarthritis can hear grating or crunching noises when moving their feet and ankles. You may also feel unsteady on your feet.
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You may have an achy feeling in your feet, especially if you’ve been particularly active or worn high heels. Some people also get pain in their feet at night.
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In the ankle, osteoarthritis could cause your ligaments to become weaker, which could put more strain on the cartilage. You might also find the muscles around your ankle become weaker over time, and it may feel painful to walk or put weight on your ankle.
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The repair process in osteoarthritis can cause spurs to form on the edge of your bones. These are known as osteophytes and change the shape of your joint. Sometimes bone and cartilage can break away and float inside the joint, which could cause more pain and swelling.
Hallux rigidus
If osteoarthritis in the feet is left untreated, cartilage can wear away completely. This might cause the bones of your foot to join together. When this happens in the big toe, it’s known as hallux rigidus.
This can make it more difficult to move your big toe and you may have trouble walking. Sometimes bony growths may appear on the top of your toe.
Treatment from Physiotherapy: Ankle and foot pain
Along with advice, manipulation, strapping, muscle stimulation and home exercises, The Storm Clinic can also offer you (click on the links for more information)
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Acupuncture sessions could potentially help in reducing inflammation of soft tissue and cartilage, which may be common causes of hip pain and long-term discomfort.
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Shockwave therapy is a physical treatment that uses high-energy acoustic waves — known as shockwaves — to treat musculoskeletal pain and promote the healing of painful tissue. It works by stimulating increased blood circulation and cell growth, improving elasticity in the affected area, and ultimately reducing inflammation and pain. In some cases, it can be very effective in breaking up scar tissue or calcifications.
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Laser therapy helps to accelerate the healing process, reduce pain and reduce swelling.
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