All about ankle and foot pain

Causes of ankle pain

The
ankle pain
can be caused by acute injury, overuse or chronic structural problems. It is a fundamental joint for gait, balance and stability, so any alteration can significantly affect mobility. The most common causes of ankle pain include:

Traumatic injuries


  • Ankle sprain
    (strain or tear of the ligaments, especially the external lateral ligament)
  • Bone fractures
  • Dislocations or subluxations joints
  • Contusions or bruises after impacts

Overuse or wear and tear injuries

  • Tendonitis of the Achilles or peroneal tendon

  • Plantar fasciitis
    (although it affects more the foot, it can cause pain radiating to the ankle).
  • Anterior or posterior ankle impingement syndrome
  • Retrocalcaneal bursitis

  • Ankle osteoarthritis
    especially after poorly recovered injuries
  • Biomechanical or structural alterations
  • Chronic ankle instability
  • Flat or cavus foot without correction
  • Dysmetria or gait disturbances

  • Poor plantar support
    (detectable by means of a study of the footprint)

Ankle and foot pain symptoms

The
symptoms of ankle and foot pain vary with the cause
vary depending on the cause, but usually include:

  • Localized pain on the inside, outside, front or back of the ankle
  • Swelling, redness or temperature increase
  • Difficulty to support or walk normally
  • Sensation of ankle instability or “failure” of the ankle
  • Joint stiffness or locking
  • Pain that increases with physical activity or going up/down stairs
  • In the foot: pain in the sole (especially when standing up), in the heel or in the arch.
  • Tingling or numbness if nerve involvement is present

Persistent or recurrent pain may indicate a poorly healed injury or a functional impairment that needs specialized treatment.

Types of ankle and foot pain

Ankle osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis of the ankle involves degeneration of the articular surfaces that form it: the articular aspect of the tibia, the talus and the fibula. This wear and tear, in addition to pain, causes limitations of movement, especially when walking. Its development is slow and the pain appears little by little and worsens with the passage of time. As there is no cure, we must stop its deterioration and provide the ideal conditions for it to last for many years.

Although it is not as frequent as the hip or knee joint, it is very limiting due to its role as a great shock absorber of the lower extremity. This function is performed thanks to the talus, which is the main focus of wear in the joint.

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Ankle bursitis

Bursae are small sac-like structures that are placed between muscles, tendons and ligaments allowing their displacement. Some hip injuries produce ankle bursitis, which involves an inflammation of these structures producing significant and intense pain.

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Morton's neuroma

Foot pain due to Morton’s neuroma is caused by an inflammation of one of the nerves that runs through the foot and is called plantar digital nerve.
It is one of the most common causes of pain in the front of the foot and sometimes its intensity leads to the sufferer not being able to put on shoes or support the affected foot.

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Plantar fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs across the sole of the foot and connects the heel bone to the toes. Inflammation of it is known as plantar fasciitis and is one of the most common causes of foot pain.

For more information click here.

How to treat ankle and foot pain

At
MIVI Health
we perform a comprehensive approach to treat ankle and foot pain, adapting the treatment to each patient according to the diagnosis and their level of activity.

1. Medical and physiotherapeutic assessment

  • Analysis of gait and support
  • Stability, mobility and strength tests
  • Musculoskeletal ultrasound if necessary.
  • Referral for advanced imaging tests (radiography, MRI) in complex cases.

Specialized physiotherapy

  • Manual therapy and joint mobilization
  • Strengthening and proprioception exercises to avoid relapses
  • Dry needling or percutaneous electrolysis (EPI) in tendinopathies
  • Treatment of fasciae, ligaments and trigger points
  • Re-education of the footprint and postural correction
  • Specific stretching and functional motor control

3. Interventional treatments

In cases of persistent pain, we apply advanced techniques:


  • Ultrasound-guided infiltrations
    with anti-inflammatory drugs or hyaluronic acid
  • Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) for chronic tendinopathies

  • Nerve blocks or radiofrequency
    in selected cases of neuropathic pain

Recover mobility at MIVI Salud

Ankle or foot pain that does not improve? At MIVI Salud we help you to
walk without pain and recover your quality of life
. We have an expert team in physiotherapy, pain and biomechanics that will work with you from day one.

Accurate diagnosis

Personalized treatments

Complete functional reeducation

Make an appointment and start moving without limitations.

Here begins your life without pain

Our customers say

MARIA DEL ROCIO CALDERON GUILLEN
Todo el equipo de esta unidad es profesional y muestra mucha humanidad y comprensión frente al dolor que sufre el/la paciente y al motivo por el cual puede ser provocado.
Los conozco desde el 2018. Ellos hicieron posible que volviera a cambiar y el trato es impecable.
Mari Carmen Fernandez Prieto
Muy recomendable!!!!!
El Dr.Duca un gran profesional.
JUAN GUZMAN CANO
Lucas Cusulini
Sebastián Trujillo
Cati Hernández Pérez
Ha sido un tratamiento muy positivo, muy atentos y profesionales, si volviese algún otro problema de esta índole no dudaría en volver, gracias por todo
Trap Pezia
Maravilloso ! Finalmente desaparecio el dolor . El dr. Duca es muy empatico y todo el personal una maravilla
Ivan Quer
Yolanda Beribos
Me ha encantado el trato tan amable, tan exquisito y siempre con una sonrisa que eso hace que incluso el dolor sea menor. Muy contenta con la atencion al paciente a la entrada como en el quirofano. Gracias.
Noemi Navarro
Muy agradecida. Levaba año y medio con un dolor intenso en la zona del sacro y con el procedimiento del doctor Duca el dolor se va minimizado muchísimo y esperemos que se vaya del todo. Muchas gracias!!

Insurance companies

Ask your MIVI centre for information on the agreements with insurance companies.