Foot & Ankle Pain
Foot pain can turn the stairs, a walk to the car or a day on your feet into a chore, and a physical therapist can find which structure is irritated and rebuild it. Joint Effort Physical Therapy treats foot and ankle pain in Hot Springs, Arkansas, from heel pain to a sprained ankle.
Heel pain in the morning and plantar fasciitis
If your first steps out of bed hurt and the pain eases as you move, plantar fasciitis is a common cause. It is irritation of the connective tissue on the bottom of the foot, often from long hours standing, poor arch support or sudden overuse.
Heel pain in the morning that eases and then returns after rest is a typical pattern. We treat the foot, calf and ankle together with stretching, strengthening and manual therapy. For stubborn tissue, shockwave therapy and deep tissue laser therapy are options.
Ankles, Achilles and shins
These injuries have different causes and different rehab.
Sprained ankle and ankles that keep rolling
An ankle sprain stretches or tears a ligament. After one, the balance sense can be dulled, which is why weak ankles and ankle instability follow. Balance board work and strengthening retrain the ankle.
Achilles tendinitis
Achilles pain at the back of the heel comes from an overloaded tendon. We reduce irritation, then build strength gradually so it tolerates walking and running.
Shin splints
Shin splints are aching along the shin from repeated pounding. Adjusting activity, strengthening the lower leg and checking how you run or walk are the key steps.
Flat feet and fallen arches
When the tendons do not hold the arch well, flat feet can cause pain over time. Strengthening and movement retraining help the foot work better.
How your foot and ankle plan comes together
A thorough exam
Your physical therapist examines the foot and ankle to confirm what is causing your pain, along with joint movement and balance.
Gait analysis
We watch how you walk and stand, since the way the foot lands affects the ankle, shin and knee.
Hands-on care and exercise
A mix of manual therapy, stretching and strengthening to restore joint mobility and build the foot and ankle muscles, with balance training and kinesiology taping where they fit.
Prevention
We recommend lifestyle and footwear changes to prevent repeat problems.
After a fracture or a walking boot, and choosing shoes
After weeks in a boot, the ankle is stiff and the calf is weak. We bring back motion, strength and a normal walking pattern step by step. See post-surgical rehab if you had an operation.
Shoes matter. Worn shoes or shoes without arch support can keep heel pain going, and we advise on what to look for. Foot pain tied to the knee or to running is covered under knee pain and sports injury rehab. Numbness or burning in both feet is a different problem, see peripheral neuropathy, and if dizziness or poor balance is your main issue, see vestibular therapy.
See a doctor first, or go to the ER, if you have
- A sudden foot or ankle injury where you cannot put weight on it
- A foot that looks deformed or is turning blue or pale
- Redness, heat and fever with a swollen foot
- A calf that is swollen, warm and painful
Not sure whether your plan needs a referral? Call us. As a courtesy, we verify your health benefits before you arrive.
Foot and ankle pain care in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Joint Effort Physical Therapy treats Foot and ankle pain at our Hot Springs clinic, 1880 Airport Rd., Suite C.
Not sure whether your plan needs a referral? Call us. As a courtesy, we verify your health benefits before you arrive.
Meet the people who treat you on our team page.