Ankle and foot pain are common problems that can either be attributed to sudden injuries and trauma or due to stresses and strains caused by everyday activities and poor foot mechanics. In the first instance, here at The House Clinics, we recommend a Physiotherapy or Chiropractic consultation to assess your condition and provide an accurate diagnosis to advise treatment. In cases where foot or ankle pain is associated with poor foot mechanics or gait problems, you can be referred to the Podiatry team for treatment.
See below for a list of common conditions and how we advise treatment.
Pain around the ankle joint with swelling reduced movement, and bruising.
The ankle is made up of three bone surfaces: the tibia, the fibula of the leg, and the talus of the ankle. They are bound together for stability by the ankle ligaments which are tough fibrous structures. After an ankle sprain, the ligaments are overstretched or torn which results in bleeding, swelling, and inflammation. Without treatment to rehabilitate the ankle, you may experience ongoing weakness and repeated ankle rolling.
Recommended treatment: Physiotherapy or Chiropractic
Pain over the back of the lower leg, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
There are two calf muscles: the gastrocnemius and the soleus. They are attached to the heel by the Achilles tendon. A calf strain is a tear in the muscle often caused when the muscle rapidly contracts while pushing off from a standing start perhaps, during running, tennis, or football.
The muscles are treated using hands-on physical therapy, ultrasound, and accompanied by a graded exercise programme to restore strength, pliability, and stability.
Recommended Treatment: Physiotherapy and Massage Therapy
Pain in the lower calf and behind the ankle.
The Achilles tendon attaches the calf muscles to the back of the heel. Excessive stresses to the tendon can result in inflammation, scarring, and over time, degeneration. The most common cause of this is overuse, such as running long distances which causes repetitive strain on the Achilles tendon. Alignment of the foot is also important and an individual with ‘flat feet’ is more likely to suffer achilles tendonitis.
Recommended Treatment: Chiropractic, Physiotherapy, Podiatry
Metatarsalgia is pain under the ball of the foot.
This is commonly caused by an alteration in the shape of the foot, perhaps high arches or flat feet, causing an increased strain on the joints of the foot such as the metatarsals or the plantar fascia.
Recommended Treatment: Podiatry
Severs Disease, otherwise known as 'apophysitis of the calcaneus', is an inflammation of the growth plate in the heel of growing children. The condition commonly presents as pain in the heel and is caused by repetitive stress to the heel. It is particularly common in active children between the ages of 10-15 years old and can stop them from being able to do their favourite sports.
Recommended Treatment: Physiotherapy & Podiatry
Plantar Fasciitis pain manifests on the sole of the foot.
The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs from the heel to the undersurface of the middle toes of the foot and supports the arch of the foot, acting as a shock absorber for the arch. Inflammation of the plantar fascia is known as plantar fasciitis. Sometimes a spur of bone forms on the heel where the plantar fascia attaches.
The cause of plantar fasciitis can be due to excessive running, but it can also be caused by flattening of the arch of the foot and in people who are overweight. A tight Achilles tendon or calf muscle can contribute to the problem.
Our Bristol Chiropractors specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of painful conditions caused by the poor mechanical working of the joints, and their associated ligaments, muscles, discs, and nerves.
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Our Bristol Physiotherapy clinic specialises in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of painful conditions that affect the joints of the spine, arms, and legs, as well as the associated muscles, ligaments, and surrounding structures.
Read moreAs a multidisciplinary practice, The House Clinics are able to combine the expertise of our Chiropractic, Physiotherapy, Massage Therapy, Podiatry and Chiropody practitioners to offer a unique and exceptional service to our clients. Please speak to your practitioner if you have any queries about other services we offer.
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A biomechanical assessment and the prescription of orthotics can resolve many common foot pain condiitons, as well as back pain, knee, calf and ankle pain.
From our four Bristol clinics we offer the highest standard of physical medical treatment and exercise rehabilitation from our team of professionals for a wide range of conditions.
