The ankle is an amazing joint that connects the foot with the leg. It is composed of three bones - the tibia (shin bone), fibula (calf bone) and talus (ankle bone). The tibia and fibula are joined to the talus and held together by muscles and ligaments and attached by tendons. This allows us to move - often with little thought, until one day, you turn your ankle walking and find yourself saying, “My ankle hurts”.
When not functioning properly or if injured, the ankle can negatively impact the whole body. The muscles surrounding the leg and/or foot can become inflamed and painful, which may affect how one walks, sits and stands. Ankle pain varies and can be described as dull, stabbing or sharp, especially when weight is placed on it or in movement. In addition to ankle joint pain - back, hip, leg or foot pain may result.
According to recent reports, every day over 25,000 Americans deal with an ankle sprain or strain, often necessitating care. Tasks become challenging and painful - stepping out of bed, climbing stairs, driving a car or walking the dog. If untreated or incorrectly treated, chronic ankle pain or disability can develop.
Causes of Ankle Joint Pain
Ankle joint pain often occurs due to ankle sprain or strain - usually the result of a rolled ankle, however other causes exist:
Ankle Instability
Structural Imbalances of the Leg or Foot
Muscular Imbalances or Weakness
Arthritis: Rheumatoid or Osteoarthritis
Tendonitis
Nerve Compression (Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome)
Repetitive or Overuse Activities (Sports, Recreation or Work)
New Injury or Damage from a Previous Injury
Fracture/Dislocation
Gout
Ankle Pain Treatment
Some people suffering with ankle pain may first try home care. This includes PRICE Treatment:
P: Protection
R: Rest
I: Ice
C: Compression
E: Elevation
However, when this is not the answer and pain still remains, or to ensure that there was no damage, an evaluation is needed. Many people come to Manalapan Spine Care and Rehabilitation for ankle pain treatment to find ankle pain relief and prevent a recurrence.
At our Healthcare Center, we sit down and listen to all the events that led up to the patient’s ankle joint pain. We conduct an in-depth consultation and review the patient’s health history. We want to understand daily tasks, lifestyle, stress level and if previous injuries were sustained.
The next step is to conduct various diagnostic tests to determine the root cause of pain.
Tests may include:
Spinal Evaluation
Muscular Evaluation
X-Rays
MRI
CT Scan
As a Multi-Specialty Medical Center, we also offer diagnostic tools provided by our Nurse Practitioner and Acupuncturist. The more we learn, the more targeted our customized ankle pain treatment program becomes, helping to speed recovery. Integrated options include:
Chiropractic: Dr. Paul Battipaglia provides various therapies and treatments:
Spine and Joint Manipulation (manual therapy)
Manual Traction
Trigger Point Therapy
Soft Tissue Therapy
Stretching Techniques
Ultrasound
Electric Stimulation
Cryotherapy
Moist Heat Therapy
Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
Postural Education/Counseling
Topical Gels/Creams
Physical Therapy: To reduce inflammation and eliminate pain, increase muscle strength and range-of-motion, promote healing and restore function, our patient-centered physical therapy care offers various techniques and modalities, such as:
Manual Techniques
Traction
Myofascial Release
Soft Tissue Massage
Therapeutic Exercises (Stretching, Strengthening, Low Impact Aerobics)
TENS
Ultrasound
Kinesio Taping
Patient Education, Activity Modification and Home Care
Medical Care: Holistic pain control and nutritional guidance are available.
Acupuncture: Helps to restore balance and promote healing.
Therapeutic Massage: Therapeutic massage often helps to lower stress, enhance blood circulation to the area, reduce swelling, increase range-of-motion and promote healing.
Prevention is essential, especially if your job or activities require extensive use of the ankle. Ankle pain affects men, women and children of all ages, athletes, weekend warriors and those who are not as active as they would like to be. To keep your body strong and healthy, please maintain structural and muscular balance by scheduling regular wellness visits at Manalapan Spine Care and Rehabilitation. Let us help you in your search for ankle pain relief by creating a customized ankle pain treatment program. Call 732-972-5900 and schedule a Free Consultation today. Free local transportation is available. Let us help you stop saying… “My ankle hurts”, once and for all.