Physical Therapy for Foot Pain and Injury
Physical Therapy for Foot Pain and Injury
IS PAIN IN THE FOOT GETTING YOU DOWN?
Feet, the literal foundation of our bodies. The important role our feet play in our daily activities cannot be underestimated. This is why, when you have pain or injury in one or both feet, your day to day life can be significantly affected. While some injuries to the foot require surgery to correct, many can be addressed through the care of a physical therapist. Whether you are recovering from surgery or looking for a more conservative approach, a physical therapist is an important member of your care team and can work with you to get you back to walking, running and dancing your way through life. This article will help you to understand the causes, symptoms and possible interventions that you can expect during a physical therapy treatment.
LET’S GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE FOOT AND HOW IT FUNCTIONS:
Each foot is made up of 28 individual bones that can be divided functionally into a hindfoot, a midfoot and a forefoot. Numerous ligaments intertwine between bones to create shape and connection. Nearly 30 muscles--some originating from the lower leg and others within the foot itself--work together to create the delicate balance of mobility and stability in this area of the body.
Another star player in the foot is the plantar fascia. A thick layer of tissue, it runs from the heel of the foot to the ball of the foot. When standing, the plantar fascia helps to create the arch of the foot. While walking and moving, it assists in altering the position of the foot as you move through a normal gait cycle and acts as a shock absorber.
In addition to these structures we can’t forget the nerves in the skin and joints of the feet that act as vital purveyors of information as you stand, walk, run and jump. We rely heavily on the accuracy of sensory information gleaned from these receptors to maintain our balance and coordinate movements throughout the body.
What is important to understand about the foot is that changes in the anatomical structure of the foot, strength of the muscles, stability of the ligaments and flexibility of the tissues as well as alterations in the motor control and biomechanics of the foot can impair the function and balance of each joint and body part above it. Even if your primary symptoms are not in your feet, your physical therapist will be observing how your feet function and move because problems in the foundation of your body can have widespread implications.
WHAT MIGHT BE THE CAUSE OF YOUR SYMPTOMS?
Disorders of the foot come in many varieties. Some people are born with conditions that alter the normal anatomy of the foot such as Pes Planus (flat foot), Pes Cavus (high arches), or Talipes Equinovarus (clubfoot). These conditions may require surgical intervention, bracing or special footwear throughout an individual’s life.
Some instances of foot pain are caused by asymmetries or imbalances in muscle strength or flexibility, motor control and movement patterns of the lower body. In these cases, your physical therapist may prescribe a series of exercises to improve strength and flexibility. They may employ modalities such as ultrasound or ice to address inflammation or pain and manual therapy techniques such as joint mobilization, active release therapy(ART), or soft tissue mobilization.
Some other conditions of the foot that would benefit from the assessment and treatment of a skilled physical therapist are listed here:
Plantar Fasciitis: Inflammation and microtears can occur in this thick band of tissue causing pain in the heel, along the arch of the foot or near the ball of the foot. Oftentimes this pain is felt during the first few steps out of bed in the morning, after prolonged standing, during intense activity such as running or when walking barefoot or in shoes with poor support. While this condition may initially make it difficult to participate in your usual standing, walking or running routines, it often responds very well to physical therapy interventions aimed at reducing inflammation and promoting tissue healing, restoring optimal mobility at the foot and ankle joints, offloading the plantar fascia and strengthening surrounding muscles.
Turf Toe: Turf toe is the common name for a sprain of the metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP) of the first toe--where the big toe meets the foot. This is often a sports-related injury that occurs when the toe is hyperextended past its normal range of motion. In rare cases surgery may be required. Pain, swelling, and bruising over this area is common in the acute stage. Initially your physical therapist will educate you on how to protect the joint to allow healing to begin while applying ice or other modalities to help manage pain and swelling. When appropriate your PT will prescribe a progressive exercise program to restore normal strength and flexibility and build tolerance to loading through the joint.
Bunion: A bunion (hallux valgus) is a bony bump that develops on the inside of the foot at the base of the big toe. Oftentimes the big toe is no longer straight but instead deviates toward the other toes. Inflammation and swelling can occur in the area of the bunion and that area of the foot can become stiff and painful. Discomfort during walking or running and difficulty with the fit of shoes can occur over time. Bunions may be managed conservatively or when severe, surgically. In either case your physical therapist can recommend orthotics, footwear or toe separators to relieve discomfort and prevent worsening. They may prescribe range of motion exercises and strengthening to maximize foot biomechanics and provide hands on manual therapy if indicated.
Fractures: Fractures can occur traumatically or in response to chronic overload such as in the case of a stress fracture in a marathon runner. Whether managed surgically or conservatively, you will likely undergo a period of modified weight bearing to allow bone healing. Once appropriate, your physical therapist will employ many of the techniques outlined above to address any pain or stiffness that has developed, restore optimal strength and biomechanics of the foot and progress you back to normal walking, running and athletic events.
While foot pain or injury can be disruptive to your daily life, a physical therapist at Evolve can help you get on the road to recovery. Our therapists understand the importance that being able to stand, walk and participate in sports and leisure activities has in your life and we strive to enable our patients to live pain free, and prevent recurrence of the injuries.
Are you or someone you know experiencing foot pain? Call Evolve Physical Therapy in Brooklyn today to make an appointment. Our physical therapists will work with you to reduce the risk of complications, and help you get back to living your life to the fullest. Call- 1-718-258-3300 or visit- https://evolveny.com/physical-therapy/foot-physical-therapy-brooklyn
About EvolveNY-
Brooklyn's Premier Holistic Physical Therapy Clinics-
There’s physical therapy, there’s training, and then there’s EVOLVE. We use the science of biomechanics merged with fitness to help our patients get better and stay better!
First we evaluate, then we heal, then we strengthen our clients so they can reach their goals, feel better, and live happier lives. We do so by utilizing a range of core techniques and specialized treatments to reduce pain, improve mobility, enhance physical strength and deal with the underlying issues, not just the pain itself.
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