Physical therapy treatment addresses ankle pain by assessing the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, bones, and joints in that region of the body. Ankle pain may also accompany knee, foot, or low back pain. Common causes of ankle pain include fractures from falls and sprains from sports injuries. Ankle sprains, achilles tendonitis, stress fractures, and shin splints can result from excessive exercise or working on your feet. You should seek a physical therapist to relieve your ankle pain to decrease swelling and to prevent chronic ankle/lower leg problems, assess your shoe wear, evaluate your running/walking pattern (gait analysis), evaluate you for orthotics, and instruct you on specific strengthening and stretching for the lower leg to
improve mobility. Proprioception training is essential in
rehabilitation of the ankle and lower leg.
When is the best
time to start
Typically, treatment should begin as early as possible. Treating a problem early helps to prevent it from becoming chronic and in the prevention of future problems.
freedom to move
Your Right to Choose
The decision of where you go to receive treatment is
yours. If you have a specific therapist or practice you
would like to go to, you should let your doctor or
insurance company know this. Not all physical
therapists or practices are the same and the choice
of your provider is yours.