Foot & Ankle
Why do I have foot and ankle pain?
Your feet and ankles are both very complex structures that bear the full weight of our everyday movements. Most of the time any pain we experience resolves rather quickly with adequate rest, ice, heat, and elevation. However, sometimes the pain lingers or worsens over time. If it lasts longer than a few months it could be due to structural changes in the foot or ankle, or an underlying condition.
There are many causes of long-term pain in the feet or ankles, such as badly fitting footwear, osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, connective tissue diseases, poor blood circulation, and nerve damage, or tendon/joint damage. HealthQuest’s team of skilled professionals can identify and correct these underlying issues, relieve you of your pain, and prevent it from coming back. Contact us for a free pain assessment!
40+ CONVENIENT LOCATIONS
GOALS & STRATEGIES
for treating foot & ankle pain
eliminate/reduce
pain & swelling
improved
mobility & flexibility
increased
strength & endurance
education & preventative tools
return to
normal function
proper
alignment
Start Your
journey to health Today
COMMON FOOT & ANKLE
conditions we treat
Foot and ankle pain typically develops from one of two reasons: a sudden injury or a chronic, underlying condition. Some of the most common causes of foot and ankle pain include:
Sprains and strains
- A sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched too far or is torn, while a strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is stretched too far or is torn.
Fracture
- When excessive force or trauma is put on a bone, it can crack or break entirely. This is known as a fracture. A fracture to the foot or ankle could result in weeks of downtime to ensure proper healing.
Tendonitis
- Tendonitis occurs when the tendons are excessively overused, causing them to become inflamed for prolonged periods of time.
Bursitis
- Everyone has anti-friction sacs in their joints, known as the “bursae.” When tendons rub against these sacs, it causes inflammation and irritation known as bursitis
Arthritis
- Arthritis is common and causes painful inflammation in the joints. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types of arthritis and both can greatly impact the foot and ankle joints, resulting in pain and decreased function.
Fallen arches/Flat Feet
- Your arches are comprised of several tendons. When the tendons pull together properly, your foot will form a proper arch. However, sometimes the tendons do not pull together properly, resulting in a very small arch, or no arch at all. This is referred to as “fallen arches” or “flat feet,” which can cause pain or discomfort over time.
Plantar fasciitis
- Plantar fasciitis occurs when the connective tissue at the bottom of the foot becomes inflamed. It is most commonly caused by aggravated overuse, such as improper posture, constant standing, or footwear that lacks proper arch support.
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- The tarsal tunnel is the nerve that runs from the ankle to the foot. When it becomes pinched or inflamed, tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs.
TREATMENT PLAN
for foot & ankle conditions
We treat the individual…not just the pain or dysfunction. Your physical therapy treatment may include: