Library of conditions we treat: Ankle Injuries
If you’re dealing with discomfort or pain in your ankle joint, you’re in the right place. Our library of conditions offers detailed insights into the most common ankle injuries we treat and how our targeted therapies can support your recovery. From ligament strains to post-sprain instability, we break down what’s happening beneath the surface and how we help you regain strength, stability, and confidence. Click the links below to explore specific ankle-related conditions, understand your symptoms, and discover how expert care can set you on the path to lasting relief. Learn more. Take action. Step into a pain-free future.
Ankle Sprain / Strain
Ankle sprains and strains are common injuries that can often be treated at home. They usually affect muscles and ligaments, causing pain, tenderness, and swelling. Knowing the difference between a sprain and a strain is crucial for effective treatment.
A sprain involves torn or twisted ligaments, the tissue that connects bones at the joints. On the other hand, a strain refers to an overstretched or torn muscle. Both injuries result from quick overstretching, leading to pain and swelling as part of the body’s inflammation response.
You might have a sprain or strain if:
- You experience pain, tenderness, or weakness around your ankle
- The injured area is swollen or bruised.
- You can’t put weight on the injury or use it as usual.
- You have muscle spasms or cramping.
Most sprains and strains improve within two weeks, but severe cases can take months to heal.
Sprains and strains often result from not warming up before exercise, tired muscles, or sports. Ankle sprains, in particular, are common due to improper footwear or uneven terrain.
How Sports Therapy Helps
Sports therapy is highly effective in treating sprains and strains. Sports therapists evaluate the injured area to determine the injury’s extent and ensure ligaments or tendons are intact. They then create a personalised treatment plan to reduce swelling, alleviate pain, and restore range of motion.
The goal is to regain normal strength and functionality.
Sports therapists will work closely with you if you’re active or play sports to ensure a full recovery. This approach helps you return to your loved activities without risking further injury.
Message us today to learn how our sports therapy services can help you recover from your ankle injury swiftly and safely.
Ankle instability
Ankle instability is when the ankle has too much motion, making it prone to “giving out.” This can also affect other joints in the foot, like the subtalar joint. Some people have multiple joint looseness due to genetic conditions.
Chronic ankle instability often develops after repeated ankle sprains, causing the ankle to give way during activities or even when standing. Athletes and many others frequently suffer from this condition.
If you have chronic ankle instability, you might experience:
- Repeatedly turning your ankle, especially on uneven surfaces or during sports.
- Persistent discomfort and swelling.
- Pain or tenderness in the ankle.
- An unsafe or unstable feeling in the ankle.
This condition usually develops after an ankle sprain that hasn’t healed properly or wasn’t fully rehabilitated. When you sprain your ankle, the ligaments get stretched or torn, affecting your balance. Proper rehabilitation is essential to strengthen the ankle muscles and retrain the tissues for better balance. Without this, you might experience repeated ankle sprains, leading to chronic instability.
If nonsurgical treatments like physical therapy and bracing aren’t effective, surgery might be recommended.
How Sports Therapy Helps
Sports therapy plays a crucial role in treating ankle instability. Our Sports therapists will assess your ankle and foot joint movements to identify areas needing strengthening to support and stabilise your ankle.
Strengthening the muscles supporting the ankle can compensate for the looseness, allowing for better stability during walking, running, and sports. Depending on the severity of the instability, you might also need to be referred to other professionals.
Message us today to learn how we can help increase your ankle stability and prevent further injuries!
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue on the underside of the foot that connects your heel bone to your toes.
This condition often results from tightening tissues under the foot and into the legs.
Although the exact cause isn’t always clear, several factors, such as age, exercise on hard surfaces with inappropriate footwear, tight calves, and body composition, can increase your risk.
Plantar fasciitis causes pain on the bottom of your foot, particularly around your heel and arch. While you can often ease the pain alone, it’s essential to see a doctor if the pain doesn’t improve within two weeks.
If you have plantar fasciitis, you will probably feel pain at the bottom of your foot that worsens when you start walking after resting. The patient improves during exercise but returns afterwards. You might also find it challenging to raise your toes off the floor.
Typically, you will also feel burning or sharp pain when standing, especially in the morning or after a long time sitting.
How Sports Therapy Helps
Sports therapy is highly effective in treating plantar fasciitis. Our Sports therapists first evaluate your movement, posture, walking pattern, and ankle and foot mobility. Gentle hands-on therapy helps soothe irritated tissue and improve the range of motion in foot and ankle joints.
We may use modalities like ice to reduce swelling and pain quickly. We aim to alleviate your pain swiftly and strengthen your feet for long-term relief.
Message us today to discover how we can help resolve your plantar fasciitis pain and get you back on your feet quickly!
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects your calf muscles to the back of your heel. Tight hamstrings and calf muscles typically cause this condition.
Additionally, limitations in the range of motion in your ankle and foot can alter your walking pattern, putting excessive strain on the Achilles tendon and leading to tendonitis.
Achilles tendonitis occurs when the tendon becomes swollen and painful near the bottom of the foot. This condition is common in runners who suddenly increase the intensity or duration of their runs. It also frequently affects middle-aged individuals who play sports like tennis or basketball only on weekends.
If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis, you will probably feel pain in the back of the ankle and heel, especially after prolonged walking and tenderness when touching the back of the ankle and heel. The pain diminished with rest and aggravated with walking.
Achilles tendonitis is often triggered by tight muscles, mainly the Hamstrings and Calves, sudden running intensity or duration increases, playing sports involving jumping, or quick direction changes.
Stopping or reducing activities that cause pain, such as running or jumping, is essential to allow your tendon to heal. Opt for activities that don’t strain the tendon, like swimming or cycling. When walking or running, choose soft, smooth surfaces and avoid hills.
How Sports Therapy Helps
Sports therapy is one of the best treatment options for Achilles tendonitis. Our Sports Therapists will evaluate your leg, ankle, and foot mobility, range of motion, strength, balance, and walking patterns. This comprehensive assessment helps us identify the root cause of your pain and develop a plan to resolve it for long-term results.
Our treatment focuses on resolving pain quickly, improving joint mobility, and strengthening necessary muscles. The goal is to help you walk and run without pain, allowing you to return to the activities you love.
Message us today to discover how our sports therapy can help you overcome Achilles tendonitis and return to your active lifestyle!
Shin Splints
Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS), commonly known as shin splints, is an overuse injury of the lower extremity. It typically affects runners and athletes involved in intensive weight-bearing activities.
Shin splints present as exercise-induced pain along the front of the lower leg (shin).
Although it’s not a severe condition, proper care can speed up recovery.
Shin splints are characterised by pain and tenderness along the front of your lower leg, especially during exercise like running.
Risk factors include gender, High BMI, poor running mechanism or hard surfaces, and inappropriate footwear.
How Sports Therapy Helps
Sports therapy is highly effective for managing shin splints. Our Sports therapists begin with a comprehensive assessment of your gait, mobility, strength, and balance to identify the root causes of your pain. We then develop a personalised treatment plan focusing on:
- Pain relief and reducing inflammation
- improving joint mobility and muscle strength
- correcting imbalances.
During the acute phase, modalities like cryotherapy and low-impact exercises are used. As you progress, we will introduce sport-specific training and hill running to increase your activity level gradually and without pain. Strengthening core hip muscles and improving running mechanics are critical components of our therapy.
By choosing appropriate footwear and incorporating manual therapy, we aim to prevent re-injury and ensure a full recovery.
