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Physiotherapy in Burlington for ankle pain

ANKLE PAIN

Ankle Pain

Physiotherapy In Burlington Can Help You Achieve Relief From Ankle Pain

SAY GOODBYE TO PAINFUL AND UNSTABLE ANKLES!

Have you noticed some discomfort when moving your ankle or every time you place weight on it when trying to walk? Are your ankle swollen and affecting the quality of how you live your life? We have good news for you! Physiotherapy in Burlington at Cogent Physical Rehabilitation Center can help you relieve your ankle pain regardless of what is causing the problem.

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The key to resolving your ankle pain, weakness, instability and limited movements is to find the exact source of your ankle problem. This is where physiotherapists excel! Our team will get the results you are looking for so you can return to your normal life.

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To discover more about how we can assist you, make an appointment today with a physiotherapist in Burlington at Cogent Rehab.

WHAT ARE SOME REASONS FOR ANKLE PAIN?

There are many reasons for ankle problems. The most common reasons are rolling or twisting the ankle, an abnormal walking pattern or gradual repetitive movements as seen in many sports. 

Achilles Tendinopathy

Ankle Sprain

Fractures

Ankle Arthritis

Achilles tendinopathy is a common condition that occurs when the large tendon that runs down the back of the lower leg becomes irritated and painful. Tendinopathy describes a condition in which the tendon develops microscopic degeneration as a result of chronic damage or repetitive stress over time. Tendinitis, tendinosis, and tendinopathy are all common terms which essentially refer to the same problem. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body. It connects the calf muscles to the heel bone and is used when you walk, run, climb stairs, jump, and stand on your tip toes. The Achilles tendon can withstand great stresses from running and jumping but the tendon develops problems from tight calf muscles, a sudden increase in the amount or intensity of exercise activity or enlargement of the bone on the back of the heel called Haglund's deformity. 

 

Common symptoms of Achilles tendinitis include:

  • Pain and stiffness along the Achilles tendon in the morning

  • Pain along the tendon or back of the heel that worsens with activity

  • Severe pain the day after exercising

  • Thickening of the tendon

  • Bone spur formation (insertional tendinitis)

  • Swelling that is present all the time and gets worse throughout the day or with activity

  • Pain on the back of the heal when you wear shoes

If you have experienced a sudden pop in the back of your calf or heel, you may have torn your Achilles tendon. Achilles tendinopathy is different than an Achilles rupture, a condition where the tendon becomes separated off the heel bone or completely torn in half. Achilles tendon rupture typically results from a sudden injury. 

Ankle sprains are common injuries and occur among people of all ages and activity levels. They are the number one reason for missed participation in athletics. An ankle sprain occurs when the strong ligaments that support get torn when stretched beyond their limits. The severity of a sprain can vary greatly depending on the number of ligaments involved and the extent to which the ligaments are torn.​ Most sprains heal with conservative treatments like ice, elevation, over-the-counter medications, and simple rehabilitation exercises. However, if your ankle remains swollen or painful for several weeks despite conservative treatments, or if you have difficulty putting weight on your ankle, you may need to be evaluated to ensure that you do not have a severe ankle sprain or fracture. If symptoms do not improve despite non-operative treatment, you may need surgery to repair or reconstruct the injured ligaments. Without proper treatment and rehabilitation, a chronic or untreated severe sprain can weaken your ankle, making it more likely that you will injure it again. Repeated ankle sprains can lead to long-term problems, including chronic ankle pain, arthritis and instability.

Ankle Fractures

A broken ankle (also known as ankle fracture) means that one or more of the bones that make up the ankle joint are broken. Many types of injuries can cause an ankle fracture and includes twisting, rotating, or rolling your ankle while walking or running, tripping or falling from a height, such as a fall from a ladder and high energy impact from a motor vehicle accident. Although ankle fractures can occur in people of all ages, they typically happen more often in adults; in fact, they are the fourth most common type of fracture in adults. ​A fractured ankle can range from a simple break in one bone, where you may still be able to walk, to several fractures, which may require surgery and can be very disabling. In some cases, you may not be able to put weight on your ankle for a few months, affecting your ability to walk, drive, play sports, and work.

 

Patients often recall a twisting injury to their foot or ankle. If there is severe tearing of the ligaments, you might also hear or feel a pop. Sprains may occur  unexpectedly during many different activities, such as:

  • Walking or exercising on an uneven surface

  • Falling down or tripping

  • Participating in sports that require cutting or jumping actions, such as trail running, basketball, tennis, football, and soccer.

 

Common symptoms of a broken ankle include:

  • Immediate and severe pain

  • Swelling

  • Bruising

  • Tenderness to touch

  • Inability to put any weight on the injured foot

  • Deformity, especially if the ankle joint is also dislocated

  • Numbness and coolness in the foot (in some cases)

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Around 90% of ankle sprains involve an inversion injury (the foot turns inward) to lateral ligaments on the outside of the ankle, namely the anterior talofibular (ATFL) and calcaneofibular (CFL) ligaments. The less common medial ankle sprain is caused by an eversion injury (the foot turns out) to the deltoid ligament on the inside of the ankle. Sprains can range from tiny tears in the fibers that make up the ligament to complete tears. If a complete ligament tear occurs, the ankle may become unstable after the initial injury phase passes. Over time, this instability can result in damage to the bones and cartilage, the smooth lining of the joint causing chronic ankle instability.

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Calcaneus (Heel Bone) Fractures

A fracture of the calcaneus (heel bone) can be a painful and limiting injury. This type of fracture often occurs during a high-energy event such as a car crash or a fall from a ladder, when the heel is crushed under the weight of the body. When this occurs, the heel can widen, shorten, and become deformed. Treatment for calcaneus fractures often involves surgery to reconstruct the normal anatomy of the heel and restore mobility so you can return to normal activity. However, even with appropriate treatment, some fractures may result in long-term complications, such as pain, swelling, loss of motion, and arthritis. Many patients with labor-intensive jobs are unable to return to their job after a calcaneus fracture. Patients with calcaneus fractures usually experience pain, bruising, swelling, heel deformity and an inability to put weight on the heel or walk. With some minor calcaneus fractures, you may be able to walk but with a limp. This is due to the fact that the Achilles tendon acts through the calcaneus to support your body weight. If, however, your calcaneus is deformed by the injury, your muscle and tendon will not be able to generate enough power to support your weight. Your foot and ankle will feel unstable, and you will walk differently.

The major types of arthritis that affect the foot and ankle are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and posttraumatic arthritis. Arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. It can cause pain and stiffness in any joint in the body and is common in the small joints of the foot and ankle.

Although there is no cure for arthritis, there are many treatment options available to slow the progress of the disease and relieve symptoms. With proper treatment, many people with arthritis are able to manage their pain, remain active, and lead fulfilling lives. The symptoms of ankle arthritis includes pain that develops over time or suddenly and swollen joints. There can be other symptoms as well including:

  • Pain with movement

  • Pain that flares up with vigorous activity.

  • Joint swelling, warmth and redness

  • Tenderness with pressure over the ankle joint

  • Increased pain and swelling in the morning or after sitting or resting

  • Difficulty working when other er causes of ankle pain have been ruled out

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Physiotherapy in Burlington Can Provide Ankle Pain Relief

If you are experiencing ankle pain or dealing with limitations in motion or weakness that is affecting your ability to function, Cogent Physical Rehabilitation Center can help!

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At your visit, our Burlington Physiotherapist will complete a thorough assessment to determine the source of the problem and identify all the factors related to your condition.

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We will incorporate hands-on techniques and evidence-based treatments to reduce pain and enhance self-reported function using ice, compression, and elevation early in the rehabilitation process, early return to motion rather than prolonged immobilization after an ankle sprain, use of external ankle support, either a functional ankle brace or tape, for up to 1 year after an ankle sprain. Active treatment will focus on incorporation of balance, exercise, and coordination training in the rehabilitation plan as soon as weight bearing is tolerated.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO OBTAIN ANKLE PAIN RELIEF TODAY 

Our physiotherapy clinic in Burlington can help regain mobility, improve balance and strength in your ankles to help you walk around pain-free and without worry.

You should schedule an appointment with our physiotherapists at Cogent Physical Rehabilitation Center in Burlington to begin your road to recovery right away! 

Visit Our Burlington Physiotherapy Clinic For Relief From Pain In Your Ankles! 

Your Next Steps...

  1.   Request An Appointment

  2.   Receive A Personalized Treatment Plan

  3.   Work Hard And Progress In Your Recovery

  4.   Recover & Enjoy Life As You Should

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