Foot and Ankle Pain

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Chronic foot and ankle pain is possibly one of the most debilitating issues you could experience. Not being able to walk or stand without discomfort can drastically slow down your quality of life. How are you going to run the 400-meter dash on the weekends — or, you know, do normal stuff like walk the dog or go to the grocery store?

Let’s face it — foot and ankle pain is the Achilles heel of your active lifestyle. But it doesn’t have to be a forever thing. There are several conservative treatment options that can get you back on your feet sooner than you think.

In this page, we’ll guide you through some of the common symptoms and causes of foot and ankle pain, and then we’ll talk through the treatment options available to you. All of the treatments we will talk through are conservative, noninvasive options that not only help treat your current condition, but also drastically reduce the risk of needing surgery in the future.

Contents

Foot and Ankle Pain Symptoms

OK, so we know that pain is obviously a symptom of foot and ankle pain (that one is easy), but what about the other symptoms you might be experiencing? Listen, the human body sometimes gets little tweaks that can cause sudden, mild, short-lived pain. These instances can be triggered by stepping on your ankle wrong, putting too much pressure on the ball of your foot or landing on a hard surface with just a little too much impact.

These short-lived, mild symptoms that go away within a few days are usually not indicative of an underlying condition in your foot or ankle. However, if your pain is a bit more than very mild and sometimes couples with one of these other symptoms, you may have a problem that needs to be seen by a physical therapist:

Pain or stiffness around the ankle
Pain through the heel or arch of the foot
Difficulty putting pressure on the foot
Pins-and-needles feeling that extends into the toes
Pain from the heel up the calf
Stabbing pain during certain movements

If you have these symptoms in your ankle or foot, and they last for more than a few days, you should schedule an appointment with a physical therapist. Your physical therapist can make an accurate diagnosis of the root cause of your symptoms, and then you can work together to find the best treatment plan available for your foot and ankle pain.

Common Causes of Foot and Ankle Pain

Ankle and foot pain can be caused by a number of factors, but the most common include:

Bursitis — The bones in your foot are cushioned by fluid-filled sacs called bursae. In some cases, these sacs can become irritated and inflamed, which is a condition known as bursitis.
Arthritis — Like any other joint, the ankle is susceptible to the protective cartilage breaking down after years of wear and tear, which can result in inflammation and arthritis of the ankle.
Tendinitis — This is common in the Achilles tendon where there is a tear or rupture due to injury or improper stretching before exercise.
Plantar fasciitis — Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot conditions, and describes the inflammation of the connective tissue on the bottom of the foot that connects the heel to the toes.

To properly diagnose the cause of your foot and ankle pain, you may be asked to undergo an MRI, which will allow your physical therapist to see the musculoskeletal makeup of your foot and ankle, and identify the exact cause of your pain and symptoms. Once this happens, you two can discuss treatment options that fit into your current lifestyle and your overall recovery goals.

Treatment Options for Foot and Ankle Pain

In some cases, at-home therapies like hot/cold compression and RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) may help relieve mild foot and ankle pain. However, if this pain continues for several days without getting better, or if it gets worse during that time, you should schedule an appointment to see a physical therapist. Fortunately, physical therapy is a direct access treatment option, which means that you do not have to have a referral from a doctor’s office before scheduling with a local PT clinic.

Some of the physical therapy treatments that are commonly used for foot and ankle pain include:

Manual therapy — Manual therapy can help increase mobility and movement into the ankle joint, which can relieve inflammation caused by arthritis.
Joint mobilization — This type of mobilization targets the ankle joint specifically, not just the muscles and tendons surrounding the joint, to improve mobility.
Therapeutic exercises — Certain exercises and stretches are targeted for conditions like plantar fasciitis and tendinitis.
Kinesiology taping — This type of taping can add stability to the ankle joint to help reduce pressure on the joint itself and support the surrounding muscles during movement.

If you’re ready to seek treatment for your chronic foot and ankle pain, contact our team at Lattimore Physical Therapy today. We can help you get back on your feet and enjoy the lifestyle you love. Contact us today or visit our locations page to find a clinic near you.

What Training Do Physical Therapists Have?

You may be surprised to learn that physical therapy has progressed to a doctorate level profession, and requires 6 to 7 years of schooling before practicing. Physical therapists are highly trained and educated professionals. If you’re considering PT for your treatment, know that you’re in the right hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is a health care profession that involves evaluating, diagnosing and treating disorders of the musculoskeletal system. The goal of physical therapy is to focus on movement in order to restore function, minimize pain and improve an individual’s quality of life. Physical therapists often utilize treatment modalities such as therapeutic exercise, soft tissue mobilization, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and other treatments to help achieve these goals.

Do I Need a Referral?

The state of New York has “direct access” to physical therapy, which means that patients are not legally required to have a physician’s referral to see a physical therapist. However, some insurances may require patients to have a referral or authorization before they will approve payment. Be sure to contact your insurance company beforehand and determine the process that they require.

It’s important to know that if you are under the care of a physician and require physical therapy treatment, you have the freedom to choose your own physical therapy clinic.

Do You Accept My Insurance?

We accept most major insurance coverages. Some of those we accept include Tricare, Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna and workers’ compensation. If you don’t see your insurance company listed above, reach out to us and we’ll let you know if we accept yours. At the time of scheduling your first appointment, we request that you provide us your insurance information so that we may verify your benefits and coverage.

How Can I Pay for Treatment?

We accept payment via cash, check, flex spending card, and debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard and Discover). Payment is expected at the time of treatment and typically required during check-in. If you have insurance coverage, there may be a deductible or copay required.

Before your first visit, we will contact your insurance company to verify your benefits for physical therapy. Some insurance providers have restrictions on specific treatments. As a courtesy, Lattimore Physical Therapy files with your primary insurance as well as any secondary coverage. You will be billed for any cost share (if applicable) after your insurance has paid their portion.

What Should I Expect During My First Visit?

During your initial visit, your physical therapist will provide you with a thorough 45-minute to one-hour evaluation in a private room. Please be prepared to discuss your needs, your pain, and any lack of mobility or function that you currently have. This evaluation will involve certain range-of-motion, postural and strength tests to help your physical therapist develop a plan unique to you and your condition.Treatment for your injury will begin on the day of your initial visit.

How Should I Dress?

You should wear loose-fitting clothing during each session with us. Loose-fitting clothing helps us access and move the areas of the body that are being treated. If you have a knee problem, it is best to wear shorts. For a shoulder problem, a tank top is a good choice. For low back problems, a loose-fitting shirt and pants are the best go-tos.

Do I Need to Bring Any MRIs or X-rays That I Have?

Please bring any relevant MRI or X-ray interpretation reports from your physician’s office. However, since X-rays and MRIs aren’t always the most telling, your physical therapist will want to also take into account your medical history and other physical tests and measures. Their goal is to perform an evaluation as best they can using a thorough series of processes.

How Many Visits Will I Need?

The number of visits necessary to complete treatment varies from patient to patient. Some patients only undergo a couple of sessions, while others need several months of care. It most often depends on your diagnosis, the severity of your impairment(s), your past medical history and other similar factors. You will also be reevaluated on a monthly basis. Each time you visit your doctor, we will provide you with a progress report with our professional recommendations.

Can I Bring My Child With Me to My Appointments?

Yes! Our policy allows for children to accompany their parents during appointments.

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