Ankle and Foot Area
The ankle and foot play a significant role in balance and correct sequence of muscle activation for stability and forwards propulsion i.e. walking. When the ankle or foot is injured, it normally affects how you hold your whole body. Injury and discomfort in the foot and ankle can have a significant impact on your pelvis and spine due asymmetrical changes to the way you weight bear. It is prone to injuries such as sprains, strains and overuse tendon issues.
Our Approach:
- Acute Injury Care: Strategies to manage acute symptoms such as swelling and protect the joint in the early stages of injury.
- Weight bearing management: Strategies to optimise equal weight bearing i.e. modifying activity, adapting shoes, bracing, taping or using external aids.
- Range of Motion Work: Joint mobilizations to ensure optimal range of motion.
- Proprioception Training: Balance and coordination training to rebuild ankle stability and reduce recurrence of injury.
- Targeted strength and plyometric training: Specific strength and power training to support quick reaction time to preventing trips, slips or falls.
- Return to Sport/Activity: Sport-specific or functional drills and strengthening exercises to regain full capacity to perform tasks such as walking, running or jumping.
Common conditions we see:
- Ankle sprains (medial and lateral)
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Tibialis anterior tendinopathy
- Shin pain (shin splints)
- Plantar fasciitis ( Heel pain)
- Osteoarthritis of the foot and ankle
- Stress fracture of the foot
Harrogate Physiotherapy Practice 