7 Foot and Ankle Conditions That Can be Treated with Physical Therapy

Foot and ankle injuries are common and incredibly incapacitating, as we need them to walk and perform everyday activities. October is National Physical Therapy Month, so in today’s post,  Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA, shares some foot and ankle problems that can be relieved with physical therapy.

Luckily, several helpful rehabilitation programs specifically address foot and ankle conditions. Physical therapy is one of the most common and respected types of rehabilitation for foot and ankle conditions, such as turf toe, stress fractures, and plantar fasciitis.

These programs utilize therapeutic exercises designed to restore muscle strength, neuromuscular coordination, gait mechanics, and range of motion, to name a few.

7 Common Foot and Ankle Problems

Before exploring how physical therapy can help treat various foot and ankle problems, let’s talk about some of the most common issues and injuries associated with the feet and ankles.

1. Plantar Fasciitis: When the flat band of the tissue connecting a person’s toe to their heel bone is strained, this is known as plantar fasciitis. Patients with this condition report heel pain from the band becoming swollen, weak, or irritated.
2. Turf Toe: This typically develops when a patient experiences a sprain to the big toe joint ligaments. The condition is common among professional athletes.
3. Achilles Tendonitis: This develops when the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed.
4. Stress Fractures: Stress fractures are small breaks in the bone that typically develop due to repetitive stress to the area.
5. Bunion: A bunion is a bump at the bottom of the big toe joint. It makes the big toe turn toward the second one, resulting in discomfort and pain.
6. Metatarsalgia: When a patient experiences inflammation and pain in the forefoot – typically due to overuse – it is called metatarsalgia.

7. Broken Ankle: This is when one or more ankle bones are broken.

If you have suffered a severe injury to your foot or ankle, physical therapy can improve flexibility, range of motion, and strength while focusing on certain muscles. Physical therapy can also address issues related to foot or ankle surgery recovery.

To learn more about physical therapy for foot and ankle problems, contact Dr. Hubert Lee at CarePlus Foot & Ankle Specialists in Bellevue, WA. You can schedule an appointment online or by calling us at 425-455-0936.