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Answering Your Questions About Ankle Pain, Foot Pain, and Plantar Fasciitis

The doctors at Manhattan Sports Therapy are gait analysis specialists based in New York City who can diagnose your ankle or foot pain. They use the latest therapy techniques to restore foot and ankle function. Below are common questions they get from prospective clients interested in Ankle Pain, Foot Pain, and Plantar Fasciitis Treatment.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is a foot condition of overuse and strain. It leads to the tightening of a band of tissue connecting the toes to the heel bone.

What Are Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms?

Patients with Plantar fasciitis describe a sharp, stabbing pain at the bottom of the heel, especially in the morning. The pain may decrease throughout the day as foot flexibilities increases. Runners are particularly susceptible to plantar fasciitis symptoms.

What Causes Ankle/Foot Pain, and Plantar Fasciitis?

Ankle, heel, and foot problems can happen from an injury, or develop over time from abnormalities in walking or running pattern. Plantar fasciitis, for example, develops from irritated and inflamed muscle tissue that causes pain and discomfort.

As we step or run, we engage each of the bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles of the ankle and foot. Not only does the pressure of the body’s weight impact the ankle and foot, but so does the function of the spine. Aside from acute injuries, ankle/foot pain is often the result of an imbalanced gait. Meaning a person puts stress on a certain part of the foot or heel. Variances in the arch, from a flat foot to a high arch, also impact foot and heel function.

How Do You Relieve Foot/Ankle Pain?

For immediate at-home foot/ankle pain relief:

  • Use the Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation method
  • Soak in a warm foot bath
  • Use over-the-counter drugs for pain and swelling
  • Gently move, rotate and stretch your foot/ankle to improve its range of motion and reduce swelling.

If pain persists, you have a more serious condition and should see a doctor.

What Are The Treatments For foot/Ankle Pain And Plantar Fasciitis?

Medication – Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs for several weeks.

Injections – If pain persists even after medication, steroid injections are considered.

Physical Therapy – Your doctor may use stretches and exercises to correct foot and ankle imbalances and restore function. At Manhattan Sports Therapy, Dr. Miro and Dr. Rachel approach ankle/foot pain with a gait evaluation (i.e. how your body moves from head to toe). Then they will stabilize the ankle and foot with the following treatments:

  • Active Release Technique® (ART)
  • Cold-Laser Light Therapy
  • Graston Technique®
  • Kinesiology Taping

Custom Orthotics– Patients who suffer from Plantar Fasciitis and other foot pain conditions may experience further relief with the use of special shoe inserts.

Surgery – Surgery is usually the last resort if the other treatments don’t help.

How Long Does It Take For An Ankle/Foot Injury to Recover?

It depends on the extent of the injury. The timeline can span from weeks to months. Fractures usually take 6 to 8 weeks to heal properly, before one can return to full function.

What Happens If I Don’t Treat Ankle/Foot Pain and Plantar Fasciitis?

When Plantar fasciitis goes untreated, a secondary condition called heel spurs form as abnormal growths on the heel. Heel spurs may not cause pain themselves, they are permanent if not medically treated. Over time, untreated ankle/foot pain can lead to hip, back, and knee pain.

When Should I See A Doctor For Foot/Ankle Pain?

Contact your doctor if you:

  • feel constant tingling or numbness on your ankle/foot
  • have an open wound that could be infected
  • cannot walk on your foot
  • think you have a broken bone
  • have swelling or pain for more than a few days
  • have pain that doesn’t go away after a few weeks of trying home remedies
How Do You Prevent Foot/Ankle Pain and Plantar Fasciitis?

To prevent food/ankle pain and other conditions like Plantar Fasciitis:

  • Invest in proper footwear, particularly for sports participation.
  • Limit time spent in high heels or flat shoes lacking arch support.
  • Replace running sneakers, approximately every 350-500 miles.
  • Maintain a healthy weight to reduce pressure on your ankles, heels, and feet.
Top 10 Most Common Types Of Foot/Ankle Pain:
  • Achilles Tendonitis
  • Ankle Instability
  • Ankle Sprain/Ankle Strain
  • Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
  • Bone Spurs and Heel Spurs
  • Gout
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Retrocalcaneal Bursitis
  • Shin Splints
  • Stress Fracture
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

Manhattan Sports Therapy is a state-of-the-art facility located in New York City. Our clients range from professional athletes to everyday New Yorkers.

We are proud to offer the latest techniques and treatments for the benefit of our valued patients.

If you are interested in learning more about foot/ankle pain treatment in NYC, please call (212) 310-0100 to schedule an appointment today or contact us online.

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Happy Patients View More Testimonials

Pam L.

Having performed surgery for decades my neck And back have been damaged. I can honestly say that Rachel has kept me functioning at a high level. Nobody else was. Despite being a surgical candidate which is refused to have she managed to overcome all of my problems. The office is also immaculately clean ( I am a germaphobe). Chiro in the past was hit or miss. Sometimes it helped and sometimes it actually made things worse. This has never happened with Rachel. I always feel better. Guaranteed. She will bend over backwards to accommodate my schedule. She is a rising star.

Will A.

The entire staff is very helpful, kind, and extremely efficient. If it wasn't for Dr. Rolland Miro I strongly feel the bursitis in my shoulder would still be in major pain. If you have shoulder pain, rotator cuff issues, or bursitis don't hesitate, RUN to see this man! I came to Manhattan Sports Therapy skeptical because I had already visited two other physical therapist who were not getting me better. I had pain for 9 months until visiting MST. Miro was patient with my healing process and was always transparent when telling me what stages I was in my recovery. Now I am fully recovered back to pumping iron and putting on a backpack without pain. Thank you to everyone in that office for making my experience great from start to finish.

Natalie V.

I was having severe inner hip and lower back pain for months. Every step I took was painful. I couldn't run, bike, swim or even attempt a workout. I started seeing a PT twice a week for a month and nothing happened, in fact, my pain increased. So, I decided to try another Physician and I found Manhattan Sports Therapy and Dr. Rolland Miro. After my first appointment, I knew I made the right choice. I started seeing Dr. Rolland twice a week. After my first week, I could already feel a HUGE difference. After week three, the pain in my hip was completely gone. It's now been two months and as I continue my treatment, I'm feeling better and better. I ran five miles for the first time in over a year last week! I highly highly recommend Dr. Rolland. He's the best at what he does and he's very knowledgable when it comes to health and fitness all around.

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