What are they?
Ankle pain is often caused by a ligament, tendon, or bone issue. An ankle sprain is an injury a ligamentous structure of the ankle. We often think of spraining the outside of our ankle. An ankle strain is an injury to a tendon. We often think of the Achilles, peroneals, or posterior tib tendons in this area of the body as being most often strained.
Information on what causes them?
Pain is caused by an ankle sprain to our inside or outside ligaments, an ankle strain to one of our many foot and ankle tendons, arthritis within the ankle joint, or a fracture of one of the many bones found in the ankle and foot. Ankle sprains and strains are often caused by a misstep that puts force through the ankle beyond the limits of what the ligaments and tendons can safely handle to protect your foot.
The signs and symptoms?
The signs and symptoms of these issues are acute and sudden pain, swelling, inability to bear weight without compensation, altered gait mechanics, popping, clicking, decreased motion and flexibility, decreased power, and strength, are just a few to name.
Treatment?
Physical therapy will initially focus on the decreasing and eliminating the pain and swelling. Once these are under control or eliminated, we will then work on improving the healing of the affected bone or soft tissue. This could include modalities and exercises to improve the healing process and working on regaining the motion and strength needed to return you back to where you were before the injury. Finally, a comprehensive home program will be set up to make sure you have the tools you need to maintain your gains and avoid this injury again in the future.
Expectations?
At your first visit you should expect a physical therapist that is there to get to know you, your current complaints, and your goals. Using this information and the information they gather during their evaluation they will set up an individualized treatment plan that will help you reach your goals and get back to your life faster. Treatments could include modalities for pain control, manual therapy to help with muscle, soft tissue, and joint healing, and exercises to restore motion and strength.
