Understanding Foot and Ankle Issues
Foot and ankle problems can disrupt daily life by causing pain, limiting movement, and affecting overall well-being. These issues can stem from various factors impacting the bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the foot and ankle.
Injuries: Common injuries like sprains, strains, fractures, and dislocations often occur due to sports, accidents, or falls.
Overuse: Repetitive activities and prolonged stress from high-impact sports or standing for long periods can lead to conditions such as plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis.
Structural Issues: Flat feet, high arches, or other bone structure abnormalities can increase the likelihood of foot and ankle problems.
Health Conditions: Conditions like arthritis, diabetes, nerve disorders, and circulatory problems can also contribute to these issues.
Treatment Options
- POLICE Method: Protect, Optimal Loading, Ice, Compression, and Elevation to manage acute injuries and reduce swelling.
- Physiotherapy: Tailored exercise programmes to enhance strength, flexibility, and balance, improving overall stability and function.
- Orthotics: Custom-made or over-the-counter devices to support the foot, correct alignment, and reduce strain.
- Bracing and Taping: Provides stability and helps prevent further injuries during physical activities.
- Manual Therapy: Techniques like massage and joint mobilisations to relieve pain and improve joint functionality.
- Therapeutic Modalities: Use of ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or laser therapy to alleviate pain and promote healing.
- Medications: NSAIDs, pain relievers, or corticosteroid injections to manage pain and inflammation.
- Surgical Intervention: In severe cases, surgery may be required to repair damaged tissues, correct deformities, or stabilise joints when other treatments are ineffective.
