Foot, Ankle,Heel West Midlands, Foot, Ankle,Heel Injury,West Midlands Foot, Ankle,
Sunday, March 21st, 2010Foot, Ankle & Heel Injury
Ankle Syndesmosis Sprain.Ankle sprains. Anterior ankle impingement. Plantar fascists. Stress Fracture. Foot Stress Fracture.Navicular stress fracture. Fifth metatarsal stress fracture.Achilles tendon rupture. Cold Laser Therapy accelerates the healing process and recovery.
Ankle Syndesmosis Sprain.
Syndesmosis sprains, are ’high ankle sprains they affect the ligament between the two shin bones, which are called the Tibia and Fibula. There is very little swelling on tenderness and for this reason they are difficult to diagnose. ( Treatment with Cold laser therapy, listed under treatments)
Grade 1-2. Syndesmosis Sprains can last 5-10 weeks.
Grade 3. Syndesmosis Sprains may require surgery. The recovery period for these injuries is 4-6 months. Cold laser therapy reduces the recovery time in half.
Ankle sprains
The ankle sprains are the most common ankle injury. Treatment with cold laser therapy helps in the recovery.
Foot stress fractures
Foot stress fractures are debilitating, the injuries can be severe, and require lengthy recover periods. The severest stress fractures in the foot are to the navicular and 5th metatarsal. They may require plaster or surgery; they have a very high rate of recurrence, treatment with cold laser therapy
Navicular stress fracture
Navicular stress fractures are a running athlete’s nightmare. The navicular is a small bone at the top of the arch of the foot. It does not heal well. This is due in part to poor blood supply and mechanical load.
Treatment. Cold laser therapy
Fifth metatarsal stress fracture.
This stress fractures is to the 5th metatarsal bone, on the outside of the foot. The bone develops the stress fracture at its base which is halfway down the outer side of the foot. Treatment with cold laser therapy combined with rest will speed up the recovery.
The Achilles tendon.
The Achilles tendon is the longest and thickest tendon in the body connecting the calf muscle group to the heel bone which is called calcaneus which can be found behind the ankle joint. These Injuries can be subdivided into partial tendon injuries, Tendonitis or partial tears and complete ruptures. Achilles tendon ruptures will require surgery. Achilles tendinopathy which means without rupture, can be subdivided into mid-substance or tendon injuries and insertional or tendon-bone junction injuries. Insertional injuries more than not involved calcification of the tendon
Treatment. Cold laser therapy.
Achilles tendon rupture
Achilles tendon ruptures are renowned in sporting activity, with rapid acceleration movements can cause this injury.
Achilles tendonitis accounts for around 13% of running injuries. The Achilles tendon is the large tendon at the back of the ankle. This Tendon connects the calf muscles (Gastrocnemius and Soleus) to the heal bone (calcaneus) and provides the power and drive in the push off phase of the gait cycle. The Achilles tendon can become inflamed through overuse as well as a number of other factors. Achilles tendoinitis may be acute or chronic. Acute Achilles tendinotis is a result of overuse.
Achilles tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis symptoms include:
- Acute inflammation
- Achilles Tendonitis pain may increase gradually during exercise. l Swelling may appear over the Achilles tendon.
- Redness may appear over the skin in the area of the tendonitis.
- You may feel a cracking or creaking sensation when you press your fingers into the tendon while moving the foot.
- Chronic Achilles tendonitis will often follow on from acute Achilles tendonitis if the acute tendon injury is not treated properly and given time to heal. Chronic Achilles tendonitis is a difficult condition to treat. The pain experienced during the acute phase of the injury may well disappear after a warm session, and may return when training has stopped.
Symptoms for chronic Achilles tendonitis are similar to those of acute tendonitis as well as:
- Stiffness and pain in the Achilles tendon are especially noticeable in the morning. This pain may be described has none specific or generalized pain of the area.
- Nodules or lumps may appear in the Achilles tendon, 2cm above the heel.
- Tendon pain may appear when walking up a hill or incline.
- Chronic tendonitis differs from acute tendonitis in that it is a much more of a long term problem.
Causes of Achilles Tendonitis
An Overuse are the main factor and the basic cause of this injury, however other factors can make an overuse injury more likely.
Running up inclines and hills will mean the Achilles tendon has to stretch more than normal. This exasperates and worsens this condition.
Overpronation, meaning feet which roll in, will place an increased strain on the Achilles tendon. As the foot rolls in and (flattens) the lower leg rotates inwards which then twists the Achilles tendon placing torsion stress along the length of the Achilles tendon.
Treatment of Achilles Tendonitis
Rest and apply cold therapy or ice (not directly onto the skin).
Wearing a heel pad, as a temporary measure, to raise the heel and take the strain off the Achilles tendon. Rest while the Achilles tendon is healing.
Ankle posterior impingement
Ankle posterior impingement is common injury where the ankle is placed in full plantar (downwards) flexion. The impingement is caused by an extra bone called an os trigonum.
Treatment. Cold laser therapy or surgery.
Ankle cartilage injuries
An ankle sprain can lead to an injury to the ankle cartilage lining and may cause prolonged disability.
Anterior ankle impingement
Anterior ankle impingement this condition is very common in football players. The condition consists of bone spurs forming at the front of the ankle after repetitive sprains or contact injuries. Symptoms are pain at the front of the ankle and a limited range of forward movement which is called the dorsi-flexion of the ankle. Treatment with Cold laser therapy to aid in recovery.
Heel Pain /Plantar Fascitis.
Plantar Fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain in adults.
A classic sign is pain that is particularly severe when the first steps are taken in the morning. Plantar Fasciitis is a self-limited condition, however many people can suffer with this problem for years. The symptoms usually resolve more quickly when the time between the onset of symptoms and the start of treatment is short. There are many treatment options including Cold laser therapy, rest and stretching. Strengthening, orthotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Pain is usually caused by collagen degeneration at the origin of the plantar fascia at the medial tubercle of the calcaneus. The cause of the degeneration is repetitive micro tears of the plantar fascia that overbears the body’s ability to repair itself. Cold laser therapy has become a major player in helping the body’s ability to repair itself quicker.
Although the classic sign of Plantar Fasciitis is early morning pain, not every patient will have these symptoms. Symptoms vary from person to person, however the majority will notice pain at the beginning of activity which lessens as they warm up. Plantar Fasciitis pain may also occur with prolonged standing. In severe cases, the pain will increase towards the end of the day.
The Plantar Fascia is a thickened fibrous aponeurosis that originates from the medial tubercle of the calcaneus and runs forward to form the longitudinal foot arch. The function of the Plantar Fascia is to provide static support of the longitudinal arch and shock absorption. Individuals with pes planus (flat feet) or pes cavus (high arches) are at increased risk of suffering Plantar Fasciitis.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis
A history of an increase in weight-bearing activities is common, especially those involving running, which causes micro trauma to the plantar fascia that exceeds the body’s capacity to recover. Plantar Fasciitis also occurs in elderly. In these patients, the problem is usually more biomechanical, often related to decrease in strength of intrinsic muscle.
As mentioned above, people with faulty foot biomechanics are also at risk of developing Plantar Fasciitis. A large percentage of the population will over-pronate (i.e. the foot rolls inward when they walk) which overstretches the plantar fascia and causes irritation
On examination, the patient usually has a point of maximal tenderness just under the front aspect of heel bone and on the sole of the foot. The pain may be worsened by having the patient stand on the tips of the toes.
Plantar Fasciitis is often called “heel spurs,” although this terminology is somewhat misleading because 15 to 25 percent of the general population has heel spurs, without any symptoms and many symptomatic individuals do not have them.
Cold laser Therapy/Treatment
The lasers used at Central Chiropractic Clinic are certified as Cold Laser. For the past 30 years the technology of Cold Laser Therapy (also known as Low Level Laser Therapy) has been formally accepted in North America and in many other parts of the world such as Europe, Russia and Japan. In all this time there have been no recorded long-term adverse effects from low level laser therapy. It is considered to be non-invasive, painless and safe.
Cold Laser Therapy uses laser light energy to stimulate cells to function optimally. In the body, light sensitive chromophores and other elements within the cell absorb energy, initiating a series of important photochemical changes such as increased production of ATP. The mitochondria and Kreb’s Cycle stimulation initiates the production of ATP, providing the cell with the extra energy needed to accelerate the healing process and positively influence pain. These activities can occur in all types of cells and includes ligament, nerves, cartilage and muscle.
Low Level Cold Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a Handheld, non-invasive, light-emitting medical device which is used over different areas of the body. It provides an unmatched advantage in the treatment of conditions such as;
Heel and foot pain Conditions and injuries, Plantar fascists, Tendonitis, Ligaments and Tendons.
Athletic / sports Injuries
Soft Tissue Injuries including Sprains and Strains, Tendonitis
Foot Pain please go to top left corner under “Pain” or “Conditions”. See also Cold Laser Therapy under “Treatments” for effective pain Relief and healing.

