Category: Ankle Pain

Why you might be feeling foot and ankle pain after back surgery
The cause of foot and ankle pain after back surgery may be the irritation of a nerve. Back surgery can compress or irritate a nerve in the lower spine. Unfortunately, nerves going to the leg run down the spine and exit between the vertebrae, and they are very close to the area where some types of back surgeries are performed.

The irritation of one of these nerves can cause pain, weakness, numbness, or a burning sensation in the leg, ankle or foot. This kind of pain is called radicular pain, and it occurs along the path of a nerve. It’s this nerve irritation that can lead to radicular pain in your foot and ankle after your back surgery. Fortunately, a physical therapist can make dealing with this and other post-surgical issues a part of your personalized post-surgical recovery plan.

How does post-surgery recovery look?

Recovery time from back surgery varies for each person. You may have a faster or slower recovery than someone else who has had the same surgery. The healing process also depends on what type of surgery you had. It may also depend on whether you experience complications like nerve pain in your ankle and foot after your back surgery. Fortunately, physical therapy plans can help with back surgery recovery even if you’re experiencing complications.

Here are some things to expect as part of your recovery:
- No lifting, pushing, pulling or straining for the first couple of weeks.
- Activity gradually increased as tolerated.
- Physical therapy to assist in gaining strength and flexibility.
Post-surgery physical therapy methods for back, foot, and ankle pain

A personalized post-surgical rehab plan may expedite the recovery process. Such a plan may include techniques like:
- Manual therapy — This treatment method can include hands-on techniques, stretching and gentle pressure on specific parts of your body. Manual therapy helps encourage blood flow and mobility so muscles can relax and heal.
- Strengthening exercises — A big part of physical therapy is helping patients improve their muscles so they don’t overcompensate for post-surgical weakness anywhere else in their body. By strengthening core muscle groups and the ones around the injury or ailment, the body can stop putting unnecessary pressure on other areas.
- Stretching — Therapists can stretch muscles and tendons to improve flexibility and relieve pain. If back, ankle or foot stiffness is an issue for you after surgery, your physical therapist can prescribe exercises to help. The stretches they can provide you with are intended to help stretch the affected areas and move them through their full range of motion. All of this can help to prevent stiffness, which may also help ease pain.
When you experience foot and ankle pain after back surgery, it can be helpful to incorporate physical therapy in your recovery process.

Excel PT can help you recover from foot and ankle pain after back surgery

If you’ve been suffering from post-back surgery foot and ankle pain, contact us. Excel Sports & Physical Therapy can provide a one-on-one consultation and a full assessment. Our physical therapists are skilled and dedicated to your recovery process.

Request an appointment or call us today at Affton, North O’Fallon, St. Louis, Creve Coeur, Ellisville, Saint Peters, O’Fallon, Saint Charles, Warrenton & Wentzville, MO centers.

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March 11, 2022
3 steps a physical therapist can take to ease foot and ankle pain
The foot and ankle are complex structures that hold a lot of responsibility for bearing weight and moving the body. This means that any injury or condition that affects these areas can make walking difficult, if not impossible.

Physical therapy for foot and ankle pain can help restore mobility, reduce pain and increase strength. But how exactly can it assist with these types of pain and offer these benefits?

3 ways PT experts can assist those suffering from foot or ankle discomfort
1. Assess the problem — The first step is having a physical therapist evaluate your condition to figure out what’s causing the issue.
1. Develop a custom treatment plan — After understanding the mechanical cause of your pain, your physical therapist will create an individualized treatment plan to address these underlying issues. This may include stretches and strengthening exercises as well as manual therapy techniques, such as joint mobilization.
1. Recommend lifestyle changes — Your daily activities may also be contributing to your foot and ankle pain. For example, if you spend all day on your feet in ill-fitting shoes with inadequate support, this can place extra stress on your joints and muscles that leads to discomfort. Your physical therapist may offer advice on how you can modify your behaviors to relieve pressure on these areas during the day.
3 techniques physical therapists may use for treatments

Here is where physical therapists move from assessment and treatment development to executing your customized plan.
1. Soft tissue and joint mobilization — These are hands-on therapy techniques that focus on the muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints of your body. They are used to decrease pain, increase range of motion, and improve function in your daily life or work.
1. Gait analysis — This kind of analysis is a clinical process of visually assessing and measuring an individual’s body movements. The goal is to identify any movement impairments that may cause pain or injuries. During gait analysis, your physical therapist examines your posture, joint motion, muscle strength and muscle length while you are walking.
1. Foot orthotics — These are custom-made insoles that are designed to correct your specific foot imbalance. The use of custom foot orthotics can be an integral part of treating foot and lower limb problems.
You can experience less pain in your feet and ankles thanks to PT plans that contain these and other techniques.

Do you need help with your foot and ankle pain? Armor PT can help

Are you suffering from foot and ankle pain? Don’t delay any longer. Contact us at Armor Physical Therapy to schedule a one-on-one consultation and comprehensive evaluation. Our physical therapists have helped many other patients who suffer from foot and ankle discomfort. We can help you, too. The path to your recovery is just a phone call away.
March 11, 2022
3 steps physical therapists can take for ankle popping and foot pain
Have you ever experienced a popping sensation in your ankle? While our joints tend to pop and crack more often as we grow older, some people may experience ankle popping that is accompanied by uncomfortable foot and ankle pain. This is likely a symptom of something other than normal wear and tear of the joints.

The feet and ankles are made up of complicated systems of joints, muscles and tendons, and they carry the weight of our bodies every day. As a result, they can often be prone to developing conditions that cause pain and discomfort. You may also experience foot pain after recovering from orthopedic surgery.

If you’ve begun to experience ankle popping and foot pain, it may be time to turn to a licensed physical therapist for help. Physical therapists can determine what may be causing your ankle popping and foot pain and find the best way to treat it.

What could be causing my ankle popping and foot pain?

There are a number of reasons your ankles might be popping. Some of the most common include:
- Tendon dislocation.
- Ankle sprains.
- Tendon subluxation.
- Osteochondral lesions.
How can physical therapy address ankle popping and foot pain?

Licensed physical therapists are trained to be able to diagnose the root of your pain. Once they have determined the cause, there are a number of methods they can use to help reduce your foot pain, strengthen your foot and ankle, and improve your overall mobility. Here are three steps your physical therapist can take to help get you on the road to recovery:
- Manual therapy — This hands-on treatment method not only increases the blood flow to your ankles and feet to relieve stiffness, but also helps to break up scar tissue underneath the skin. This increases your flexibility and helps to loosen tight muscles that might be spasming and impairing your movement.
1. Joint mobilization — Your physical therapist can use their hands to gently mobilize your joints. This can release any gasses or liquids that might be trapped inside your joints, helping them to regain their full range of movement.
1. Balance training — Your foot and ankle pain may be the result of a poor gait. Poor walking posture or incorrect footwear can contribute to extra stress on your feet and ankles and result in ankle popping and foot pain. Your physical therapist can assist you in improving your gait and balance.
Can Peak Performance help treat my ankle popping and foot pain?

The answer is a resounding yes! At Peak Performance Sports and Physical Therapy, a free screening is all you need to get started. Our team of licensed physical therapy specialists can examine the source of your pain and determine the underlying cause. From there, we can craft a physical therapy plan that is tailored specifically to your needs.

Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment at one of our physical therapy clinics.
March 11, 2022
2 activities you should avoid with medial ankle pain
Medial ankle pain is pain felt on the inside of your ankle. It’s typically caused by some sort of rolling or twisting motion, and when left untreated this kind of pain could lead to a stress fracture or even an ankle sprain. Ankle pain like this can often leave people discouraged by a decrease in physical mobility and independence. Physical therapists can help identify what your ankle pain might be caused by, and what the best course of action may be for you. Physical therapy is a great option for those hoping to build ankle strength, flexibility and range of motion. It’s also helpful for those looking for ankle rehabilitation and even pain management.

What are some possible causes of medial ankle pain?
- Ankle sprain — Sprains are a result of an injury to ligaments. Medial ankle pain can be caused by a type of sprain called an eversion sprain. This type of sprain occurs when your ankle rolls outward and tears or overstretches ankle ligaments.
- Stress fracture — Stress fractures from overuse could be the root of your pain. If you are experiencing a stress fracture, you may see swelling or bruising on your foot and ankle.
- Arthritis — There are different kinds of arthritis that could cause pain in your ankle, like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. To learn more about what kinds of exercises can help with ankle arthritis pain management, click here.
- Tendinitis — Inflammation of the posterior tibial tendon due to overuse or injury can lead to this type of pain.
What should I try to avoid if I have medial ankle pain?
1. Excessive walking or running — If you’re experiencing this type of pain in your ankle, it may be best to keep your weight off it as much as possible for a few days. A physical therapist can help you determine how long you should rest your ankle.
1. Ignoring the pain — If you choose to ignore the pain, you put yourself at risk for greater injury or even permanent damage. It’s best to consult a physical therapist or other professional who can evaluate your situation.
If you or someone you know has medial ankle pain, it can be beneficial to consult with an experienced physical therapist who can help assess your pain for the best possible treatment. SOL Physical Therapy can help you find relief and create a rehabilitation plan customized to your needs.

Contact our team today for more information about treatment for ankle pain or to schedule an initial appointment.
February 14, 2022
Top 3 reasons you’re feeling knee and ankle pain in the same leg
The hip, knee and ankle are all joints that are responsible for bearing your weight when you walk or stand. Just think about how huge that responsibility is. Now, consider how huge of a problem it would be if you were feeling knee and ankle pain in the same leg. No standing up without pain. No walking without pain. Pain every time you bend your leg. And those are just for starters.

Physical therapists are musculoskeletal system masters, so they know just how vital your knee and ankle joints are. They also know just how disruptive having knee and ankle pain in the same leg can be. Fortunately, physical therapists can help you learn the reason you have pain in your joints. These medical pros can help you find effective treatment for your knee and ankle pain, too.

The top 3 reasons you’re feeling knee and ankle pain in the same leg

Physical therapists have an extensive knowledge of knee and ankle issues that can trigger pain. The fact that you’re feeling knee pain and ankle pain in the same leg can help them narrow down that list. A few of the issues that more commonly cause this combo of pain are:
1. Osteoarthritis — This condition is caused by progressive wear and tear on your joints. Often, repetitive movements you do are a major factor in developing osteoarthritis. Why? They wear out the cartilage in your joints. This can lead to inflammation and joint bones rubbing against each other, which can both trigger pain. Athletes, truck drivers and warehouse workers are a few examples of people who are more likely to develop knee and ankle osteoarthritis.
1. A joint injury — You might think that the pain of a joint injury would only affect the injured joint. Yet that’s not always the case. Nerves allow pain signals to be sent from the injured area into other areas of the body. Pain that starts in one place and moves into another is known as radiating pain.
Let’s say you sprained your ankle. It’s possible that the pain of that injury could radiate into your calf and reach your knee. Such an injury could also lead to movement changes and other issues that could also trigger knee pain.
1. A pinched or irritated nerve — As previously mentioned, nerves allow pain signals to travel through the body. Pinching or irritation of your nerves can be the source of such pain signals. For instance, a person with a pinched sciatic nerve could experience widespread radiating pain. Typically, sciatica pain starts in the lower back, but the sciatic nerve runs all the way down your legs. As a result, sciatica pain can radiate all the way down to your feet.
Back in Motion offers treatment for people with knee and ankle pain in the same leg

Are you feeling knee and ankle pain in the same leg? You can find help for your pain at a Back in Motion Physical Therapy clinic. Here, you can receive a free screening designed to pinpoint the source of your pain. Then, our physical therapists can build you a treatment plan that’s personalized to fit your specific condition and recovery needs.

Contact us today for more information about our knee and ankle pain treatment services or to schedule your initial appointment.
December 13, 2021
When can I go back to work after an ankle sprain?
Most people associate an ankle sprain with playing sports, and that’s understandable. Ankle sprains are one of the most common sports-related injuries. What you might not know is that they are also a common type of work injury.

Sprains, strains and tears are the most common work injury category according to the National Safety Council. This organization reports that these injuries made up about one-third of all the nonfatal work injuries reported in 2019. Fortunately, many people know the signs of an ankle sprain, but one question physical therapists are often asked by ankle sprain sufferers is, “When can I go back to work after an ankle sprain?” These specialists can help you determine when you are likely to be able to get back to work. They can also help you reduce the time your ankle sprain recovery takes.

When can you get back to work after an ankle sprain?

Figuring out when you can go back to work after an ankle sprain can be tricky. Why? Every patient is slightly different, and there are many factors that can affect your healing time. One of the most important factors that affect ankle sprain healing time is sprain severity. The different levels of sprain severity are:
- Grade 1 — Mild sprain that can take approximately three to five weeks to heal.
- Grade 2 — Moderate sprain that can take between four to six weeks to heal.
- Grade 3 — Severe sprain that can take about three to six months to heal.
These times can give you an idea of when you may be able to get back to work after an ankle sprain. However, they can also be affected by the type of injury treatment you have and other factors.

Can physical therapists help you get back to work faster?

Many patients who have physical therapy (PT) for their ankle sprain do get better faster. Even medical studies show that PT is a positive factor. One ankle sprain study found that a multitechnique physical therapy plan helped patients regain 87% of their normal ankle function in four weeks. For many, this level of function could allow them to return to work in a limited capacity. And, that’s not the only way physical therapists can contribute to your recovery. They can also help:
- Reduce your pain.
- Increase your joint flexibility and range of motion.
- Educate you about your injury, treatment plan and what to avoid while you’re healing.
- Decrease your risk of developing ankle sprains in the future.
Find help for your work-related ankle sprain at Continuum Wellness

Concerned about when you can go back to work after an ankle sprain? Let our physical therapists at Continuum Wellness help ease your mind. We can do a free screening to determine how severe your sprain is. Then, our clinicians can build you a treatment plan that’s unique to your injury severity and recovery goals.

Contact our team today for more information on our ankle sprain treatment services or to schedule your initial appointment.
October 15, 2021
Four injury types can make descending stairs a painful exercise
Have you stopped to consider how often you are climbing and going down stairs every day? You probably haven’t, and that’s not surprising. Many people don’t think much about such a common daily activity. Or at least, not until it becomes more painful to do it.

People who are feeling pain when descending stairs may be suffering from a specific injury or have developed a gradual condition that makes this action painful. Our physical therapists evaluate and treat all manner of knee, hip, or other leg injuries. They can also help you learn preventive care so that your injury is less likely to affect you in the future.

Descending stairs can be more painful with these four types of injuries

It can feel like a cruel trick that one minute, doctors and PTs are saying that “taking the stairs is good for your health” and the next it’s a cause of daily pain in your life. You may want to avoid exercises such as stair climbing if you have:
1. Knee injuries — Your knee has to bend every time you go up or down stairs. An injury to this joint can make this movement a painful one. Patellofemoral syndrome is a kneecap tendon injury that can cause pain when you’re on the stairs. Knee ligament or meniscus injuries are other common knee injuries that do this.
1. Thigh muscle injuries — Your thigh muscles also do a lot of work when you’re on the stairs. Injuries to these muscles can become more painful if you aren’t careful when climbing or going down stairs. Examples of injuries that fit this profile include hamstring strains and quadriceps strains.
1. Ankle injuries — Your ankles also move a lot when you’re walking up and down stairs. Thus, an ankle injury can make this activity more painful. It can also affect your balance and make this activity more dangerous. Ankle injuries that can do these things include sprains and tendonitis.
2. Foot injuries — The feet provide a solid base for stair climbing. A foot injury can erode this base and make stair climbing a painful chore. Some foot injuries that may affect your stair-climbing ability include plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia.
Address injuries that make descending stairs painful with help from Crane Physical Therapy & Spine

Are you finding going down stairs more painful because of an injury? Our team can help you address your injury and the pain it’s causing. In addition, you’ll learn personalized prevention plans for keeping your lower extremities healthy and less prone to injury.

Request an appointment today or call a clinic near you for more information about our treatment options or to schedule an initial appointment to begin treating your pain with the care you deserve.
October 14, 2021
How can physical therapists help if you have sharp pain in your ankle but no swelling?
We rely on our feet to get us around throughout the day, and our feet depend on our ankles for unimpeded mobility. If your ankles hurt, it can make walking uncomfortable and even difficult. If you haven’t injured your ankle, then you probably want to know what could be behind your ankle pain. There are a few common conditions that can cause a sharp pain in the ankle but no swelling.

Are you curious how a physical therapist could help if you experience a sharp pain in your ankle but no swelling? If you’re wondering how to relieve your ankle pain, it’s important to get checked out by a professional so that you can get the appropriate treatment.

What are some common causes of sharp pain in the ankle without swelling?

If you haven’t injured your ankle, there are a few common conditions that can cause this kind of pain.
- Achilles tendinitis — This condition commonly affects runners or other active people. When the Achilles tendon is torn, the condition is known as Achilles tendinitis. This can cause a sharp pain in the ankle. Sometimes it might not cause swelling depending on the severity of the damage to the tendon.
- Osteoarthritis — Arthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the bones is worn away, leaving the bones to rub together. This can be extremely painful and may cause a sharp pain in the ankle. Osteoarthritis can occur gradually over time, which is why it’s also known as “wear-and-tear” arthritis. Sometimes the pain from osteoarthritis can seem like it comes out of nowhere.
- Gout — A gout attack can cause sudden sharp pain in the ankle that may not come with swelling. Gout occurs due to a buildup of uric acid in the joints. Gout is technically a form of arthritis, and it can be extremely painful.
How a physical therapist can help the sharp pain in your ankle

If you think an ankle condition is causing sharp pain but no swelling, a physical therapist can help you find relief. Depending on the condition that’s causing your pain, a physical therapist may employ a variety of techniques to address the problem. Some of the most common techniques include:
- Therapeutic exercises to strengthen the muscles that support the ankle joint. This can reduce the stress and tension on your ankle joint, which may be contributing to the pain.
- Joint mobilization techniques to increase the range of motion of the ankle. Joint mobilization can also maintain ankle flexibility and can even reduce pain caused by cascading stiffness.
- Soft tissue mobilization to increase blood flow to the ankle joint and reduce inflammation.
If you’re experiencing a sharp pain in your ankle, Continuum Wellness can help

Ankle pain can disrupt your life and make getting around seem like a chore. Our team at Continuum Wellness has years of experience managing different foot and ankle conditions. We are prepared to build you a personalized treatment plan that targets the cause of your ankle pain.

Contact our team today for more information about ankle pain or to schedule an initial appointment.
October 4, 2021
How can you determine if you have a sprained ankle versus a broken ankle?
Anyone who is feeling pain in their ankle may be worried about either an ankle sprain or fracture. However, people may not know how to distinguish between these two issues.

Ankle sprains are by far the more common of the two ankle conditions, and one four-year medical study reports that more than 3.1 million ankle sprains occurred during the course of the study. Another four-year study found that more than 673,000 ankle fractures occurred during the time in question.

Knowing the symptoms of a sprained ankle versus a broken ankle is one way to determine which issue you have. Physical therapists can help you learn how to determine if you have a sprained ankle versus a broken ankle.

Five questions that can help you tell the difference between a sprained ankle versus a broken ankle:
1. Do you have severe pain that’s getting worse? — A broken ankle tends to cause severe pain immediately and get better over time. Sprained ankles may not feel too painful at first, but the pain they cause can become more severe over time if they aren’t treated.
2. Did your pain start after you rolled or twisted your ankle or after a hard blow to your ankle? — A direct blow to your ankle is more likely to cause a fracture. Rolling or twisting your ankle is more common with ankle sprains.
3. Did you hear a pop or a crack when you injured your ankle? — People with both ankle fractures and sprains have reported hearing a popping sound at the time they were injured. However, cracking sounds are more likely with a fracture.
4. Do you feel pain directly over a bone? — Feeling pain directly over a bone is more likely a sign of a broken ankle.
5. Is your pain located in a soft part of your ankle? — When comparing a sprained ankle versus a broken ankle, pain in a soft part of the ankle typically indicates a sprain.
Armor PT can help you tell if you have a sprained ankle versus a broken ankle

Still not sure if you’ve developed a sprained ankle versus a broken ankle? Our top-notch team at Armor Physical Therapy is ready to help you learn which ankle injury you have. We can evaluate your ankle during a free screening and reveal how your ankle has been injured. Then, our physical therapists can build you a therapy plan designed to address the specific injury you have. You can even sign up for a virtual care or at-home therapy appointment with us so you don’t have to leave home.

Contact us today for more information about how we can treat ankle injuries or to schedule your initial appointment.
July 26, 2021
Three exercises to help address sharp pain in your ankle
Experiencing a sharp pain in your ankle when you first wake up? Do you also feel it when you get up after sitting for a while? If you said yes, then there’s a good chance that you have ankle osteoarthritis.

Your ankle joint is made up of two synovial joints called the talocrural joint and the subtalar joint. Each of these joints contains cartilage that can wear out over time; consequently, your ankles may develop osteoarthritis. Physical therapists can help you find effective treatment for the sharp pain in the ankle that osteoarthritis can cause. One treatment technique physical therapists can use to help you is therapeutic exercises, and some exercises that your specialist may recommend include the:

1. Ankle stretch

Purpose: This exercise is intended to increase flexibility in your ankle, which can help decrease the sharp pain in your ankle.

How to do the ankle stretch:
- Sit on your bed with your legs straight out in front of you. Make sure your ankles are hanging over the edge of the bed.
- Position your ankle so that your toes are pointing straight up at the ceiling.
- From this starting position, slowly bend your ankle forward until you feel a stretch.
- Hold the stretch for two or three seconds.
- Return your ankle to the starting position.
- Slowly bend your ankle back toward your shin until you feel a stretch.
- Hold this position for two or three seconds.
- Continue to stretch your ankle until you’ve done 10 to 15 repetitions in each direction.
2. Calf stretch

Purpose: The goal of this exercise is to improve calf muscle flexibility and decrease the sharp pain in your ankle.

How to do the calf stretch:
- Stand with the balls of your feet on a thick book, a stable stool or the edge of a step.
- Make sure your feet are about hip width apart. You can also place your hand on a wall or a stable piece of furniture if you need help keeping your balance.
- Slowly lower your heels downward until you feel a moderate stretch in your calf.
- Hold this stretch for five to 10 seconds.
- Raise yourself back up to the starting position and rest for a few seconds.
- Repeat the stretch until you’ve done three to five repetitions.
3. ABC exercise

Purpose: This exercise is intended to improve ankle mobility and can help address sharp pain in your ankle.

How to do the ABC exercise:
- Sit in a stable chair with good posture and your feet flat on the floor.
- Raise your affected leg so that your foot is a few inches off the ground.
- Act like your big toe is a pen and trace the letters of the alphabet in the air by moving your ankle.
- Take a brief break.
- Repeat the exercise until you have completed three to five repetitions.
Discover effective treatment for sharp pain in your ankle at Peak Performance

Is ankle osteoarthritis causing you to have sharp pain in your ankle? Our physical therapy team at Peak Performance is committed to helping you find top-notch treatment for your pain. We can do a free screening of your ankle to confirm your pain is osteoarthritis related. Then, our specialists can construct a customized therapy plan for you that’s designed to reduce your pain. You can even sign up for a virtual therapy session with us that allows you to address your pain without leaving home.

Contact us today for more information about how we can help with your ankle pain or to schedule your initial appointment.
April 12, 2021
Three reasons your ankle hurts but there’s no swelling
Ankle sprains are a common source of ankle pain, and they tend to also cause swelling. However, there are other causes of ankle pain that can occur with no swelling.

U.S. adults typically spend much of their day on their feet. One study found that about 24% of Americans spend six or more hours per day on their feet. People who fall into this category will likely want to determine why their ankle hurts as soon as possible, even if there’s no swelling. A physical therapist can help you learn the source of your ankle pain. Also, physical therapists can help you find top-notch treatment for many ankle problems.

Issues that commonly cause ankle pain but no swelling

Swelling is a common symptom when soft tissue is injured. But your ankle contains more than just muscles, ligaments and other soft tissue. That’s why certain ankle problems can trigger ankle pain but no swelling. Additionally, minor soft tissue injuries are less likely to cause noticeable swelling. Some of the issues that can lead to ankle pain and not cause swelling include:
- Peripheral neuropathy — Like the rest of your body, there is a network of nerves in your ankles and feet. These nerves can trigger ankle pain when they’re damaged or irritated. If this happens in your ankle, it’s called peripheral neuropathy. This condition can occur after ankle trauma. People with conditions like diabetes also tend to develop this issue.
- Joint instability — Ligaments and tendons in your ankle help keep it stable. However, they can become loose or weak following an injury like a sprained ankle. When this happens, your ankle can become chronically unstable, which can lead to occasional discomfort.
- Osteoarthritis — The cartilage in your ankles can wear away as you get older. This can lead to joint inflammation that’s called ankle osteoarthritis. In its initial stages, this issue tends to cause aching in the affected ankle. Yet it may not lead to noticeable swelling. People often feel the most discomfort first thing in the morning or after the ankle has been in one position for a while.
How can a physical therapist treat your ankle condition?

There are many ways a physical therapist can treat issues that cause the ankle to hurt but cause no swelling. A few of the therapy techniques that your specialist may use are:
- Therapeutic exercises intended to stretch, strengthen and lubricate the ankle.
- Joint mobilization therapy designed to improve the flexibility and mobility of your ankle.
- Total motion release that focuses on realigning the affected joint and promoting natural healing.
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) that can help break up scar tissue that’s restricting ankle movement.
Continuum Wellness offers treatment for ankle pain even if there’s no swelling

Dealing with ankle pain but no visible swelling? Our team of physical therapists at Continuum Wellness can help you find effective treatment for your pain. We can pinpoint the source of your pain during a free screening of your ankle. Next, our specialists can create a personalized therapy plan for you that’s intended to:
- Decrease pain.
- Improve joint flexibility.
- Increase your ability to walk.
- Reduce your risk of future ankle problems.
You’ll also be able to get our help without leaving your home thanks to our at-home care and virtual therapy services.

Contact our team today for more information about how we can treat your ankle pain or to schedule an initial appointment.
April 1, 2021
What commonly causes pain in the side of the ankle?
The reality is that it can be tough to tell what is causing the pain in the side of your ankle. In fact, there are many issues that can lead to this type of pain.

Unfortunately, ankle injuries that lead to pain are more common than you might believe; it’s reported that about 1 million ankle injuries occur in the U.S. annually. Working with a physical therapist is an effective way to determine the cause of the pain in the side of your ankle. In addition, these medical professionals can help you find effective treatment for your ankle pain.

Common causes of pain in the side of your ankle

Pain that you feel on the inside of your ankle is called medial ankle pain, and pain in the outside of the ankle is known as lateral ankle pain. There are many conditions that can trigger these two types of pain. Some of the more common of these conditions include:
Physical therapy techniques that can help treat the pain in the side of your ankle

Treating pain in your ankle is one service that physical therapists can offer you. They offer many treatment techniques that can help people with ankle pain, including:
- Aquatic therapy that can work to strengthen ankle soft tissue while also reducing stress on the injured ankle.
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) intended to help prevent scar tissue from forming in healing ankle tissue.
- Anodyne^® therapy designed to improve blood flow to healing ankle tissue and reduce pain.
- Sport-specific therapy that focuses on improving your gait in ways that can help decrease the risk of a future ankle injury.
Peak Performance offers effective treatment for ankle pain

Tired of living with pain in the side of your ankle? Our Peak Performance physical therapists are eager to help you find relief from your pain. We offer free screenings that can help you get started with your therapy process. Furthermore, our specialists can build you a unique therapy program designed to reduce your pain and prevent future ankle issues. We can also help you treat your pain from home thanks to the virtual therapy services we offer.

Contact us today for more information about the treatment techniques we offer for ankle pain or to schedule an initial appointment.
February 4, 2021