Ankle Pain

Understanding Ankle Pain

If you’ve ever experienced pain in your ankle, especially during movements such as walking, running, or standing, you may be dealing with a common issue affecting the ankle joint.

What Causes Ankle Pain?

The ankle is a complex joint where the shin bone (tibia), smaller calf bone (fibula), and foot bone (talus) meet, allowing for smooth movement in various directions. The joint is stabilised by several ligaments, tendons, and muscles that help you perform daily activities like walking, running, and balancing. However, when these structures are injured, irritated, or inflamed, it can lead to ankle pain.

Common causes of ankle pain include:

Ankle Sprains

Damage to the ligaments caused by rolling or twisting the ankle, one of the most common ankle injuries.

Achilles Tendonitis/Tendinosis

Inflammation or disruption of the tissue fibres of the Achilles tendon, often due to overuse.

Fractures

Broken bones in the ankle joint, typically from trauma or falls.

Arthritis

Degeneration of the cartilage in the ankle joint, often from osteoarthritis, leading to stiffness and pain.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Compression of the nerves in the ankle, causing pain, tingling, or numbness.

Left untreated, ankle pain can affect your ability to move with ease and confidence.

Why is Ankle Joint Health Important?

The ankle plays a critical role in balance, stability, and movement, providing a strong foundation for standing, walking, and running. When functioning properly, the ankle helps distribute forces evenly across the foot and leg, reducing stress on other joints and muscles. Healthy ankles allow you to move fluidly, absorbing the impact of various activities and protecting other parts of the body from excessive strain.

Ankle stability is particularly important because it prevents falls and injuries. Weak or painful ankles can lead to poor balance, resulting in compensatory movement patterns that may increase the risk of knee, hip, or back pain.

How Can Physiotherapy Help Manage Ankle Pain?

Physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for managing and alleviating ankle pain. A tailored rehabilitation program not only helps relieve pain but also addresses the underlying causes, promoting long-term recovery. Here’s how physiotherapy can help:

Assessment and Diagnosis:

A physiotherapist will conduct a thorough examination of your ankle to determine the cause and extent of the pain. They will assess your range of motion, strength, and movement patterns to create a targeted treatment plan.

Manual Therapy:

Hands-on techniques such as joint mobilisation, soft tissue mobilisation, are often used to reduce stiffness, improve mobility, and relieve pain in the ankle joint and surrounding muscles.

Strengthening Exercises:

Strengthening the muscles around the ankle, is crucial for restoring stability and preventing future injuries. Specific exercises will help improve ankle strength and function. Frequently you will need to address the strength of other joints particularly the hip and knee when dealing with ankle injury.

Balance and Proprioception Training:

The ankle is vital for maintaining balance. After an injury or with chronic pain, proprioception (the body's ability to sense its position) can be impaired. Physiotherapists will introduce exercises that focus on improving your balance and coordination.

Gait Retraining and Footwear Advice:

If walking (gait) is contributing to your ankle pain, your physiotherapist can help address this. This might include recommending a change of footwear or foot supports to reduce the stress on your ankle.

Education on Load Management:

Overloading and excessive strain on the ankle are common contributors to ankle pain. Your physiotherapist will provide guidance on how to manage your daily activities, adjust training loads, and reduce the risk of re-injury.

Taping and Bracing:

Taping techniques or braces may be used to support the ankle during physical activities, especially after an injury like a sprain. This can help provide additional support while allowing the tissues to heal.

Shockwave Therapy and Other Modalities:

In more persistent cases, physiotherapists may use advanced treatments like shockwave therapy, which uses acoustic waves to promote tissue repair and reduce pain.

The Importance of Early Intervention

As with any joint injury, early intervention is key to successfully managing ankle pain. The longer pain persists, the more difficult it can be to treat, potentially leading to chronic weakness, stiffness and balance issues. Early physiotherapy treatment can help reduce pain, improve function, and minimise the risk of recurring injuries, ensuring a smoother and quicker recovery.

Final Thoughts

Ankle pain can be a significant barrier to maintaining an active lifestyle, but with the right physiotherapy approach, it can be effectively treated and managed. Don’t let ankle pain hold you back—book an appointment with us today to start your recovery journey.