Ankle
Ankle injuries are common and affect gait and balance. Functional rehabilitation reduces the risk of recurrence.
Sprains
An ankle sprain is the most common musculoskeletal injury, especially in athletes and active individuals. It involves damage or tearing of the ligaments that stabilize the ankle, usually due to inversion.
Causes:
• Walking crookedly on uneven ground
• Sudden change of direction
• Bad landing after a jump
• Sports activities (basketball, football, tennis)
Symptoms:
• Acute pain in the outer or inner ankle
• Swelling (edema) and bruising
• Difficulty putting weight on the foot
• Ankle instability
• Pain on passive stretching of the ligaments
Metatarsal injuries
The metatarsals are the five long bones of the forefoot that connect the toes to the rest of the foot. Injuries to them are common in both athletes and people who walk or run on uneven terrain, especially when wearing ill-fitting footwear.
Causes:
• Overuse and repetitive strain
• Inappropriate footwear
• High arch (pes cavus) or flat feet
• Misalignment or deformities (e.g., bunions, hammertoes)
• Asymmetry (uneven leg length) that changes the load
• Sudden trauma
• Muscle imbalance or weakness
• Previous injuries or surgeries
Main symptoms:
• Pain in the front of the foot
• Edema (swelling)
• Sensitivity to pressure (palpation)
• Difficulty walking or putting weight on the leg
• Burning or numb sensation (in metatarsalgia or Morton's neuroma)
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain and involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick connective tissue that runs from the heel to the toes. This fascia helps support the foot when walking by absorbing some of the pressure on the foot. When the plantar fascia becomes overstretched or injured, it causes inflammation and pain, especially in the heel.
Causes:
1. Shoes that do not provide adequate support or shock absorption
2. Overweight or obese patients who put a lot of pressure on the heel area
3. Athletes who perform repetitive activities (e.g. running, basketball, soccer)
4. Foot abnormalities such as flat feet or high arch (pes cavus)
5. Unsteady or poor gait (e.g. hyperpronation or elevated foot)
Symptoms:
1. Heel pain: Usually the pain is more intense in the morning, when the person takes the first steps after sleep or prolonged rest.
2. Pain that worsens with prolonged standing or walking: The pain may temporarily subside after some movement, but returns with fatigue.
3. Feeling of “tightness” or “pulling” in the heel or arch.
4. Tenderness and swelling in the heel area or at the attachment point of the plantar fascia.