FOOT AND ANKLE

Physical Therapy for the Foot and Ankle

Although we provide physical therapy for all orthopedic conditions and work not only to improve your pain complaints, more importantly we treat each patient as a person rather than as a diagnosis. Taking this comprehensive approach to orthopedic conditions provides our patients with the best results for their goals.  That being said, we know that our patient population is now more educated and involved in their health than ever.  As such, we have created a few targeted pages (by body part) to help share the basics about the body regions commonly treated at BreakThrough Physical Therapy. 

Physical Therapy Overview to Treatment of the Foot and Ankle:
Physical Therapists treat a wide range of disorders as they relate to the foot and ankle. Plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, Achilles rupture and other tendonitis are the most common orthopedic diagnoses we treat at BreakThrough Physical Therapy.  As a series of extremely mobile joints and strong muscles which play a central role in the action of your entire lower extremity, the foot and ankle are at risk for injury. Foot and ankle pain can be a result of injury or disease of the many joints that encompass the foot and ankle and surrounding tissues. Patients can also report pain through the foot and ankle region which could be initiating in the lumbar spine (low back) or hips or knees. Injury can affect any of the ligaments, bursae, bones, cartilage or tendons surrounding the foot and ankle.

At BreakThrough Physical Therapy, we begin your road to recovery with a comprehensive physical therapy evaluation.  This is critical in helping us to establish the best individualized treatment plan for you.  You will meet with one of our licensed physical therapists and they will ask a myriad of questions pertaining to you and your foot and ankle or related symptoms in order to help determine the cause of the pain and limitations you are experiencing.  Once the lines of communication and trust have been established, your physical therapist will then take you through a series of tests to determine more specifically the areas/tissues which may be most painful, weak, tight or limiting you in any way.  Your physical therapist will then communicate their findings to you and educate you on the first portion of your home exercise program.  You, your physical therapist and our aide team will work together in the coming weeks to help you reduce pain, increase mobility, flexibility, strength and endurance of all related tissues.  You will also learn some key tips to improve postural habits and body mechanics.  Our goal is to see you successfully return to your desired lifestyle upon discharge or “graduation” from BreakThrough Physical Therapy.

Because of the muscular, bony, ligamentous, neural and myofascial connections between the tissues; detailed evaluation including a thorough history by a medical professional is strongly recommended.  Many individuals try to manage their symptoms on their own and delay heeling further.  We have found that this causes the need for more extensive care in the future, greater expense to you and greater time away from work, family and friends than would have otherwise been needed.  While the internet can be a great tool for basic information, if you are having signs or symptoms which may need medical attention, please consult your physician or physical therapist immediately to ensure that you are taking the proper steps to your recovery.

Common Foot and Ankle Tissues treated at BreakThrough Physical Therapy (including, but not limited to):
• Bursa(e)
• Tendons
• Muscle
          Calf
               Gastrocnemius
               Soleus
          Posterior Tibialis
          Anterior Tibialis
          Peroneals
          Plantar Fascia
          Flexor Hallucis Longus
          Extensor Hallucis Longus 
• Bones
          Tibia
          Fibula
          Tarsals
          Metatarsals
          Phalanges
  
Common Diagnoses related to the foot and ankle which are treated at BreakThrough Physical Therapy (including, but not limited to):
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Ankle Sprains
• Fractures 
          Tibial Fracture
          Fibular Fracture
          Calcaneal Fracture
          Talus Fracture
• Tibial Stress Syndrome (Shin Splints)
• Achilles Tendonitis
• Achilles Rupture / Tear
• Ankle Pain
• Foot Pain
• Bone Spurs
• Sever’s Syndrome
• Post-surgical foot and ankle physical therapy
• Post-operative foot and ankle physical therapy
• Tendonitis/Tendinitis
• Arthritis
          Rheumatoid Arthritis
          Osteoarthritis