Foot & Ankle Pain
Foot and ankle pain covers the heel, the arch, the ankle, the Achilles tendon and the shin. Plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, Achilles tendinitis and shin splints are the usual causes, and recovery after a fracture or a walking boot is part of it. East Mountain Physical Therapy treats feet and ankles for patients in Cedar Crest, Edgewood, Tijeras and Moriarty.
Starting at the heel, the arch or the ankle
Our therapists treat feet by hand: loosening the joints of the foot and ankle, releasing tight calf muscles, and then building the strength and balance that keep an ankle from rolling. Plan on a one-on-one visit that ends with exercises for home.
Common causes
Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
Pain under the heel, often sharpest with the first steps in the morning. Calf and foot stretching, support and strengthening are the base.
Ankle sprains and weak ankles
A sprain that keeps recurring is usually an ankle that lost strength and balance. Retraining them is the treatment.
Achilles tendinopathy
Pain and stiffness above the heel. Graded loading of the tendon works better than rest.
Shin splints
Aching along the shin from running or a sudden jump in activity. Load and footwear changes help.
Shoes, arch support and orthoses
Foot orthoses are inserts that provide additional support, which can relieve tension on the plantar fascia, and proper support of the heel and arch can ease shin, knee, hip and low back pain too. Custom-made orthoses are often not necessary. Our therapists fit patients with effective, affordable orthoses right in the clinic when they suit you. A bunion is progressive, a collapsed arch is its most common cause, and shoes with good arch support matter early in life.
Beyond the foot
Feet and knees share load, so we look at both: knee pain. Athletes can read sports injury rehab, and recovery after surgery is on post-surgical rehab. Numbness or burning in both feet is a different problem, and so is dizziness; tell us at your visit.
Related care
Foot & Ankle Pain care in the East Mountains
We see patients from Cedar Crest, Edgewood, Tijeras, Moriarty and the East Mountains.