Foot and Ankle Pain

You spend an incredible amount of time on your feet every day, and if you are suffering from foot and ankle pain, your life can be greatly impacted. It can cause dread and agony when taking the stairs, walking a block to your office, or even standing in line. Foot and ankle pain can stem from a variety of different causes, but Bay State Physical Therapy can help get you back on track. Physical therapy has been proven to help with the rehabilitation of injured joints, in addition to providing relief for both acute and chronic pain. Contact Bay State Physical Therapy today to speak with a member of our team and learn more about how our services can benefit you!

How does foot and ankle pain occur?

Your feet and your ankles are complex mechanical structures that must work together in harmony in order to function at their optimal levels. The Arthritis Foundation states that the ankle joint consists of three bones that all must interact with one another correctly, along with the various connective tissues that hold the assembly of the joint together. The foot is even more complex, containing approximately two dozen bones, 30 joints, and over 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Because of all the complicated structures that make up your feet and ankles, pain in those areas is a very common affliction.

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An injury to your foot or ankle can result in pain so severe that you avoid bearing weight through the foot. This can leave you with only two options. You could hop around, risking injury to your other foot. You could also be stuck in a chair, limiting your mobility and ability to take care of yourself. Even mild pain can cause physical limitations to your daily life and impact your daily activities.

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What causes foot and ankle pain?

Foot and ankle pain can occur suddenly due to an acute injury, or it can develop over time. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several common causes of foot pain and ankle pain, including:

  • Strains and sprains – A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is stretched, while a sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched too far or torn.
  • Fractures – A fracture occurs from excessive force or trauma to the bone, causing it to crack or break. A fracture to the foot or ankle can result in weeks of downtime to ensure proper healing.
  • Bursitis – Bursitis occurs when the tendons rub against the “bursae” or anti-friction sacs, causing them to become irritated and inflamed.
  • Plantar fasciitis – Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation in the connective tissue on the bottom of your foot. This can occur from overuse, such as constant standing, improper posture, or unsupportive footwear.
  • Tarsal tunnel syndrome – Tarsal tunnel syndrome occurs when the tibial nerve (the nerve that runs from the ankle to the foot) becomes pinched and inflamed.
  • Arthritis – Arthritis is a common condition that affects the joints and results in pain; the most common types including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both types of arthritis can greatly impact the foot and ankle joints.
  • Fallen arches – Your foot contains several tendons that work together to form your arch. When the tendons pull together properly, your foot will form a proper arch. However, when the tendons do not pull together properly, your foot will form a very small arch or no arch at all. This is referred to as “fallen arch” or “flat foot” and can cause pain or discomfort with time.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Foot and Ankle Pain

Foot and ankle pain can develop after an injury or gradually from repeated stress. Common causes include ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, arthritis, stress injuries, and problems involving the muscles or tendons that support the foot. Your symptoms may also change how you walk, which can place additional demands on nearby muscles and joints.

A Bay State Physical Therapy expert physical therapist evaluates where you feel symptoms and how your foot and ankle function during movement. The evaluation may include ankle mobility, foot and calf strength, balance, walking mechanics, and activities that increase your symptoms. Identifying these factors helps your therapist determine whether treatment should focus on restoring mobility, progressively strengthening tissues, improving balance, or modifying activities while your body recovers.

Yes. Physical therapy can help with many musculoskeletal conditions that cause foot and ankle pain. Your treatment depends on the source of your symptoms and the activities you need to perform. For example, someone recovering from an ankle sprain may need to restore ankle mobility, strength, and balance, while someone with plantar fasciitis may benefit from progressive strengthening of the foot and calf.

Your Bay State Physical Therapy physical therapist can also evaluate how you walk, run, climb stairs, or perform other activities that aggravate your symptoms. Treatment progresses as your foot or ankle becomes stronger and better able to tolerate activity. The goal is to improve function while helping you safely return to work, exercise, sports, and everyday activities.

An ankle can continue to hurt even after the initial swelling and bruising have improved. A sprain can affect ligament function, ankle mobility, muscle strength, and proprioception, which is your body’s ability to sense the position of the joint. If these abilities have not fully recovered, the ankle may continue to feel stiff, weak, or unstable.

Physical therapy after an ankle sprain addresses the specific problems that remain after the injury. Your therapist may use progressive strengthening, balance exercises, mobility work, and functional activities based on your needs. Rehabilitation becomes especially important if the ankle repeatedly rolls or gives way, because repeated sprains can contribute to chronic ankle instability.

Heel pain during the first few steps in the morning is a common symptom of plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot and helps support the arch. Symptoms can also occur when you stand after sitting for a long period or after spending extended time on your feet.

Physical therapy for plantar fasciitis focuses on helping the foot tolerate everyday loads more effectively. Treatment may include strengthening the foot and calf muscles, improving ankle mobility when needed, and adjusting activities that repeatedly aggravate symptoms. Your therapist can also help you gradually increase walking, exercise, or other activities as your tolerance improves.

Yes. Your feet and ankles play an important role in balance because they provide information about the position of your body and the surface beneath you. An injury can affect strength, joint mobility, and proprioception. These changes may make it harder to react quickly when you step on an uneven surface or shift your weight.

Physical therapy can address these changes through progressive balance and stability training. Exercises may begin with basic standing activities and progress to single-leg tasks, uneven surfaces, or movements related to your work or sport. Restoring balance is especially important after repeated ankle sprains because better strength and joint awareness can help you move with greater stability.

Consider seeing a physical therapist when foot or ankle pain keeps returning, limits walking or exercise, or does not improve as expected. An evaluation can also be helpful if you have lingering stiffness, weakness, or balance problems after an injury.

Your physical therapist can determine which movements or activities contribute to your symptoms and develop an individualized plan to improve function. Depending on the condition, treatment may include strengthening, mobility exercises, balance training, and gradual activity progression. A significant injury that causes visible deformity, severe swelling, or an inability to bear weight may require prompt medical assessment to rule out a fracture or other serious injury.

How can physical therapy treat my foot and ankle pain?

Whether you are suffering from an acute injury or chronic condition in your foot or ankle, you can find relief at Bay State Physical Therapy. Our physical therapists will conduct a thorough examination to confirm what is causing your pain, and then they will create a personalized treatment plan for you. If you sustained an acute injury, it is likely that our physical therapists will prescribe a RICE treatment (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) along with specific, graded exercises to decrease swelling and optimize motion. After the initial stages of your injury, you will move on to specialized physical therapy treatments.

Comparatively, if you are suffering from a chronic condition, your treatment will not begin with RICE rather than with exercises specific to your symptoms. Our goal at Bay State Physical Therapy is to help restore you to your normal level of physical performance and prevent re-injury. Your treatment plan will typically include a combination of exercises to restore joint mobility, improve balance, and strengthen the foot and ankle muscles. We will do all we can to ease your pain and boost your circulation, which may include recommending lifestyle changes or orthotic footwear to prevent more problems in the future.

Don’t let foot and ankle pain slow you down! Contact Bay State Physical Therapy today to schedule your appointment. We will help you get back on your feet in no time! 

Virtual Physical Therapy for Foot and Ankle Pain

Whether you’re returning to soccer or training for your next race, foot and ankle pain can interrupt your progress. Virtual physical therapy connects you with a licensed Bay State physical therapist who can observe your movement, guide appropriate exercises, and help you adjust activities while you recover. Your plan may focus on ankle mobility, strength, balance, and a gradual return to walking, running, or sport. Our team will help determine whether virtual care is appropriate or an in-person assessment is needed.

Start Virtual Physical Therapy Within 24–48 Hours

Get personalized care from a licensed Bay State physical therapist through convenient, one-on-one video visits. Appointments are available within 24–48 hours for eligible patients located in Massachusetts. Complete our form, and our Virtual PT team will help you get started.

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