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Introduction
During all of these motions, the feet require balance and stability, much of which comes from the various ligaments attaching the bones and the contraction of many muscles surrounding the foot and ankle. The forefoot consists of the long bones of the toes and the metatarsals. The toes act much like propulsers and shock absorbers during walking, while the metatarsals will support the weight of the body moving forward.
The midfoot is a group of bones that form an arch on the instep. The joints between these bones allow for flexibility of the arch.The hindfoot is comprised of the talus and calcaneus. The talus supports the leg, acting much like a hinge to allow for up and down motion, while the calcaneus provides stability and is the attachment for the Achilles tendon, which is the most powerful calf muscle and is important for walking.
The foot and ankle are made up of 26 bones and 33 joints, which, when combined with muscles, tendons, and ligaments, allow for a complex range of motion and support. They are divided into three parts: the hindfoot, the midfoot, and the forefoot. Foot and ankle pain is a very common complaint and can have a multitude of causes. The stress of bearing the body’s weight, plus the effects of daily activities like walking and running, can cause wear and tear on the feet and ankles. In combination with improper footwear, injuries, and the normal aging process, it is easy to see why this is so common.
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Understanding Foot and Ankle Pain
Foot and ankle pain affects millions of people and can range from a mild discomfort to severely limiting a person’s ability to function at work, at home, or during leisure activities. Although common, it is a symptom that should not be ignored. In many cases, the pain and discomfort can be debilitating, substantially impairing a person’s quality of life. The most common cause of persistent pain is a chronic musculoskeletal problem. This resource has been written to help you understand more about your problem so that you may be more able to help yourself and better discuss your condition with the healthcare professionals who are providing treatment. Understanding more about your condition may be enough to improve its outcome, but it is important that you are open-minded about the possibility of making changes that may help and seeking professional help if the self-help approach is not successful. Chronic foot problems are often associated with underlying problems elsewhere in the lower limb, and it is possible that changes in the way you walk may be contributing to your problem. This is a comprehensive resource that is suitable for anybody with foot, ankle, lower limb, and musculoskeletal problems. We have used the terms foot and ankle problems interchangeably as the information is largely transferable between the two.
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Diagnosing Ankle Pain
The diagnostic process for ankle pain will likely begin with a verbal history of the ankle pain. The healthcare provider will ask questions to help determine the cause of the pain and evaluate the extent of the injury. Specifically, they will want to know how the injury occurred, if there was a sound or feeling of a pop at the time of the injury, as well as the location of the pain. The healthcare provider will ask you to describe if you had any initial swelling, and if so, did it occur immediately or was there a delay. Is there any instability or a sense of giving way in the ankle? Finally, the healthcare provider will want to know all the treatments you have done in the past for this ankle pain and how you have responded to them. This background information will be very helpful when making your diagnosis. The physical examination will consist of an evaluation of the affected ankle as well as a screen of the knee, hip, and the contralateral side for signs of any associated injuries. Palpation of the ankle will help to identify the location of tenderness, swelling, or any defects in the tissue. Often times, one can feel a defect in the area of a ruptured tendon or ligament. Range of motion and strength will be assessed compared to the uninvolved side to determine loss of function. Finally, special tests specific to certain diagnoses may be performed to help confirm a suspected diagnosis. An x-ray will likely be one of the first imaging studies ordered for the ankle to rule out any fracture. Foot ankle pain treatment at home may be sufficient, but you may need the help of an orthopaedic surgeon.
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Treatment Options for Foot Pain Tendonitis
There are various options for treatment of foot pain due to tendonitis, with an expected cure often taking several weeks to several months depending on the severity of the condition. The ideal treatment option will result in pain and inflammation being reduced and the normal strength and flexibility being restored in the foot. If a healthcare professional is consulted on the best treatment option, it’ll likely be sports massage therapy. This has been proven to be highly effective when dealing with foot pain tendonitis, alongside with a high value leg specific rehabilitation program incorporating many different strength and flexibility exercises. Sports massage therapy, accompanied by the rehabilitation program has proven to make the greatest positive impact on removing foot pain tendonitis compared to any other treatment methods. The use of Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are also a common recommendation, typically they are used to take the edge off the pain. However it’s important to understand they do not treat the problem, just the symptoms. Lastly, there have been various reports on the use of wet cupping (Hijama) as a means of removing foot pain tendonitis. Although this is said to have worked for certain individuals, it cannot be considered a general treatment method when combating this type of pain. Ankle pain diagnosis may differ, so it’s important to contact an orthopaedic surgeon.
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Home Remedies for Foot and Ankle Pain
Use contrast baths to condition your feet. Contrasting the use of both hot and cold water can help improve blood flow by repeatedly constricting and dilating the blood vessels in the feet. This method is particularly useful for pain resulting from a sports injury. To do this, fill two buckets, one with cold water and the other with hot water (hot water not exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit). Then, place your feet in the cold water for 2 minutes, switch to the hot water for 2 minutes, switch back to the cold water again for 2 minutes, and lastly, back to the hot water for 2 minutes. Always start and end with the cold water. Do this for 30 minutes at a time.
Using ice massage two to three times a day can help reduce the inflammation in the affected area. It is a much cheaper option and can be more effective than using an ice pack, as it can form to the foot and reach areas that an ice pack cannot. Using ice massage can help treat a number of conditions, including plantar fasciitis and neuroma. To do this, fill a small paper cup with water and freeze it. When ready, take the cup and tear off the top half, exposing some ice. Then, perform a massage with the exposed ice on the affected area for 7 minutes. Using ice massage for more than 10 minutes can cause damage to the skin. For a more comprehensive foot pain tendonitis treatment plan, contact your orthopaedic surgeon.