Physical Therapy For Ankle And Foot Injuries

We rely on our ankles to keep us mobile and allow us to complete our everyday tasks and activities.

Our ankles are responsible for helping stabilize us when standing and walking, as well as allowing us to move our feet downwards, upwards, and slightly to the side.

Ankle injuries are very common, affecting millions of Americans each year.

There are many different types of ankle injuries that can affect different parts of your ankle and cause you to experience various symptoms.

Capitol Physical Therapy is a physical therapy clinic that specializes in pain management and injury treatments.

That includes physical therapy for ankle and foot pain and injuries.

If your ankles are causing you issues, or you’re recovering from a recent ankle injury, we can help.

Today, we’re going to be exploring the different parts that make up your ankle, as well as the most common ankle injuries that can occur, and how physical therapy can help.

What Are The Main Parts Of Your Ankles?

In order to have a better understanding of your ankles, it’s useful to know what their main parts are and how they function.

Your ankle is a joint that is made up of different bones, ligaments, muscles, and tendons, connecting the foot bones to the lower leg.

It’s responsible for allowing us to move our feet in different directions to varying extents.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the specific parts of our ankles.

Your Tibia

Your tibia, also known as your shin bone, is the second longest bone in your body (your femur is the longest).

It’s located in your lower leg and runs from underneath your knee to your ankle.

The tibia has a flat end on top that forms part of the knee, a long middle shaft running down your lower leg, and a notch at the bottom that forms part of the ankle.

These different parts of the tibia are known as:

• Tibia proximal aspect
• Tibia shaft
• Tibia distal aspect

The tibia is positioned closer to the inside of your leg, in contrast to the fibula which is closer to the outside of your body.

We’ll talk about the fibula shortly.

Some of the main functions of the tibia include:

• Stabilizing you while you move
• Supporting your body weight when you move or stand
• Connecting muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your knees and ankles to your body

The tibia is a very strong bone that typically requires a severe injury to break.

While fractures are often serious and require surgery, physical therapy can help you recover.

Your Fibula

Your fibula is the second bone that forms your lower leg.

Unlike the tibia, the fibula is located closer to the outside of your body.

Rather than supporting your weight, your fibula provides structure to your lower leg.

The fibula has a wedge shaped end on top that connects to the tibia just underneath your knee.

It also has a long middle shaft that runs down your lower leg, and a bottom notch that forms part of your ankle.

The different parts of the fibula are known as:

• Fibula head (proximal aspect)
• Fibula shaft
• Fibula distal aspect

Some of the main functions of the fibula include:

• Forming the structure of the outside of your lower leg
• Supporting your ankles
• Connecting knee ligaments to your lower body
• Supporting muscles and tendons in your ankle and leg

Your Talus

Your talus, sometimes called the astragalus bone, is a small bone located in your ankle, toward the back of your foot.

It’s the point in your foot where your tibia and fibula meet.

The talus is shaped like a saddle, with two flared lower ends and a domed ridge in the center.

It’s also covered in a layer of cartilage.

This cartilage acts like a cushion, lubricant, and shock absorber that helps your ankle move around smoothly.

The talus bone isn’t connected to any muscles in your body.

The talus is made up of three parts, which are:

• Talus head
• Talus body
• Talus neck

Some of the main functions of the talus include:

• Forming your ankle joint
• Moving your foot up and down
• Helping you maintain balance
• Supporting the weight of your leg
• Stabilizing the arch in your foot
• Supporting ligaments in your foot, ankle, and heel

Your Achilles Tendon

Tendons are cords of flexible, strong tissue that connect bones to muscles.

Your Achilles tendon is located at the back of your leg, above your ankle.

It runs down the back of your lower leg, from the middle of your calf to your heel.

The Achilles tendon is made out of two proteins, collagen and elastin.

Collagen gives your tendons strength, and elastin helps your tendons extend and bounce back to their original shape.

When the Achilles tendon contracts it pulls the bone it’s attached to, making it move.

Your Achilles tendon allows you to move your foot and heel, and perform actions such as:

• Walking
• Jumping
• Climbing stairs
• Running
• Standing on your tiptoes

What Are The Most Common Ankle Injuries?

As we’ve already mentioned, ankle injuries are very common.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common ankle injuries you can experience and how they can affect you.

It’s also important to correctly identify what kind of injury you have in order to provide the right kind of treatment for your recovery.

1. Ankle Sprains

Ligaments are bands of connective tissue that bind bones to other bones.

In the ankle, ligaments keep the joint stable and prevent it from moving too far from side to side.

Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments in the ankle are stretched past their typical range or cause a tear in the tissue.

Ankle sprains are typically the result of a quick twisting motion of the ankle.

Symptoms of an ankle sprain can include:

• Swelling
• Redness
• Pain
• Heat
• Difficulty bearing weight on the ankle

The severity of an ankle sprain can vary. Some sprains are minor and will heal with rest and ice.

However, if a moderate or severe ankle sprain is left untreated, it can lead to repeated sprains, ankle stiffness, prolonged recovery time, and persistent pain.

It may also increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis.

2. Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis occurs when your Achilles tendon is inflamed from overuse.

If you have Achilles tendonitis, you may also be more susceptible to an Achilles tear or rupture due to persistent inflammation and accumulated damage over time.

However, this injury can also occur due to sudden physical trauma.

The symptoms of Achilles tendonitis can include:

• Pain in the morning that subsides with movement
• Swelling
• Redness
• Throbbing
• Heat
• Tenderness

If you tear your Achilles tendon from a sudden movement, it’s common to hear a pop sound, as well as experience pain and limited mobility.

If you have Achilles tendonitis, or have recently had a torn or ruptured Achilles tendon, physical therapy can help.

3. Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common foot and ankle injuries in adults.

The plantar fascia is a connective tissue that supports the arch of your foot when walking or moving.

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the fascia band in your foot becomes inflamed.

Symptoms of plantar fasciitis can include:

• Sharp pain in the heel
• Pain that subsides after movement
• Flare ups of pain

Physical therapy treatment for plantar fasciitis typically involves rest, ice, and stretching.

If you’re experiencing plantar fasciitis and looking to relieve your pain and regain your mobility, we can help.

4. Ankle Fractures

Ankle fractures occur when one of the bones that make up your ankle is fractured due to sudden impact or traumatic injury.

An ankle fracture can involve either one or multiple affected bones.

Symptoms of an ankle fracture can include:

• Severe pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Blistering
• Deformity
• Tenderness
• Numbness
• Weakness
• Instability

Ankle fractures may also damage surrounding ligaments and tendons and cause additional injuries such as an ankle sprain or torn Achilles tendon.

Once your fractured ankle has been treated, and it’s safe to do so, physical therapy can help you rebuild your strength and regain your movement.

What To Do If You Injure Your Ankle?

If you think it’s broken, go to an emergency room.

Once they’ve patched you up, see a local physical therapist for recovery treatment.

We’ll take a look at your injury, consider your daily tasks, and put together a treatment plan designed to get you back to doing what you love.

Regardless of what type of ankle injury you’ve sustained, we can help you regain your strength and mobility, as well as help prevent further complications that your injury may cause.

Book Your Appointment With Capitol Physical Therapy Today

If you’ve experienced an ankle injury, or are having issues with your ankles because of a medical condition, physical therapy can help.

At Capitol Physical Therapy we offer pain management and injury treatment solutions for a wide range of orthopedic conditions.

We’ll work with you to devise a treatment plan that can help you get back to your daily activities.

Book your appointment with Capitol Physical Therapy today.