Get Back on Your Feet

Foot & ankle pain is awful. Standing and walking are two of the most fundamental of human movements, so being denied the ability to readily and unthinkingly engage in them at will is a problem that can negatively impact a great deal of how you live your life. A scientific article in the National Library of Medicine reported that in the over 55 age group, the prevalence of foot and ankle pain was second only to knee pain, and internationally focused research found it to be most common in older, obese women. Though of course, it is also extremely common throughout all people of all ages.

The human foot is a complex structure composed of 33 joints, 26 bones, and more than a hundred muscles, tendons, and ligaments that, when working well together, bear your weight and allow for locomotion. That’s a lot of complicated anatomy in a relatively small part of your body. The joint that makes up your ankle has the talus bone of the foot, the 2 bones that make up the lower leg, called the tibia and fibula, and of course nerves, blood supply, and lymphatics as well. Some common problems with feet and ankles that physical therapy is great at dealing with are:

• Sprains & Fractures
  • Restoring normal range of motion and strengthening supporting tissues both helps rehabilitate foot trauma and reduces the risk of future injuries.
• Arthritis
  • Inflammation can happen in any joint, even in your toes.
• Tendonitis
  • Pain, swelling, or stiffness in the ankle may be inflammation of the tendons due to overuse or improper use. Physical therapy can get you properly moving again without pain.
• Plantar Fasciitis
  • The thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of the foot connecting the heel to the toes can also inflame and cause heel pain, or a stabbing sensation in some.
• General Pain and/or Instability
  • You need not have been diagnosed with anything in particular to be bothered by foot or ankle pain. A pain specialist can determine the cause and, more importantly, the professionally recommended treatment plan to overcome it.

Licensed Physical Therapy Doctors and Associates are specialists at treating foot and ankle pain. Whether caused by muscular imbalances, tightness, inflammation, or lingering effects from past injuries, our team can devise a plan of recovery that’s directed to your specific challenge. Give us a call today at (941) 264-1414, send us a message, or email info@ptdoctorsfl.com. Located in Bradenton, Physical Therapy Doctors of Florida serves all of Manatee and Sarasota Counties and is dedicated to helping you move without pain!