Are you looking for foot & ankle pain treatment in Fleet? Below are some conditions we help with:

Plantarfascitis

What is it?

This is a condition where inflammation and degenerative changes occur to the plantar fascia (a thick band of tissue running from your heel to your toes)

How does it present?

Often the foot will feel tired/achy. Stepping out of bed first thing in the morning will often elicit an acute pain response. Pain is often localised to the inner heel and may become aggravated from activity.

Why has it happened?

Tight calf muscles and incorrect foot/ankle mechanics may predispose to this condition arising.

How can we help?

Techniques to release the calf muscles and homecare advice such as using a night splint and performing stretches will also aid recovery. There may be an issue with the hip and/or knee that could be altering your gait and leading to dysfunction of this area.

Inversion sprain

What is it?

This injury is commonly referred to as “rolling your ankle” something most people have had the misfortune of at some point in their lives. This causes a sprain to the ligaments on your lateral (outer ankle). You may suffer a reoccurrence during the healing phase, as body attempts to regain proprioception (the bodies perception of It’s joints moving) and muscles regain movement and stability over the affected area.

How does it present?

Swelling over the lateral malleoli (ball shape on the outer ankle) pain inverting the foot (moving the foot inwards, the same way as the sprain occurred) and pressing around the outer area of the ankle.

Why has it happened?

The foot has a greater mobility for inversion over than eversion, this allows us to walk and effectively, but unfortunately the price for this is greater instability. For this reason it is possible to have an eversion sprain but it is much less common.

How can we help?

Technique’s such as taping, proprioceptive training and massage can help speed up the time of recovery and assist in stability.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome

What is it?

This syndrome is a condition caused by repeated pressure of the posterior tibial nerve as it passes through the tarsal tunnel (and passage on the located on the inner part of the heel and foot)

How does it present?

Because a nerve is being compressed, pins and needles, numbness and weakness extending into the foot and toes is a common symptom.

Why has it happened?

This is usually caused by dysfunctional mechanics related to the foot and ankle. For example, fallen arches of foot may cause an increase in pressure, or bone spurs may have formed around the tunnel causing abrasion. Inflammation and swelling from other injuries or direct trauma may also impact the nerve.

How can we help?

First a diagnosis needs to be made, this can be done by testing the tibial nerve and trying to elicit symptoms to confirm a positive test. Treatment and advice can then be carried out to help decompress the nerve and create lasting relief of symptoms and to avoid reoccurrence.

Medial tibial stress syndrome (Shin Splints)

What is it?

Shin splints is a broad term describing exercise induced leg pain. Pain is usually localised to the medial mid tibia (inner part of leg bone surface halfway below the knee. This can have a variety of causes, but is usually caused by tendinopathy of the tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, or soleus muscle.

How does it present?

Pain is usually felt about half way below the knee on the inner surface of the bone (tibia). Pain will typically first come on during exercise, it then tends to subside and return again once the exercise is over. If severe, it may also flare up when walking up stairs or performing more general movements.

Why has it happened?

Usually, tendinopathy of the tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus, or soleus muscle is responsible for creating the pain and discomfort. It often stems from the result of overuse. I.e., training with too greater intensity and/or frequency.

How can we help?

Understanding how well the body functions during movement and activity is key to forming an appropriate treatment plan. From there areas can be addressed and different techniques can be administered to getting you active and pain free again as soon as possible.