Causes and Treatments
Ankle and Foot Pain
SPRAINS/STRAINS
The most common sprain of the ankle is the inversion sprain (when you turn your foot over and the outside of the ankle swells and/or is painful). There are different areas of sprains/strains in the ankle. A sprain is an injury to a ligament and a strain is an injury to a muscle/tendon. Injuries fall into two main categories: CHRONIC = pain over three months or ACUTE = pain from injury up to three months. These injuries are graded as first, second, or third-degree. Our office deals with first and second-degree injuries. Third-degree are referred out for orthopedic consultation.
In our office, sprains/strains are treated with joint manipulation; it is very important to restore motion in a first-degree injury as soon as possible. We also utilize interferential current, low level laser therapy, ultrasound, bracing, and rehab exercises. It is our main focus in ankle injuries to reestablish proper nerve function through special exercises, in order to decrease further ankle and biomechanical problems of the legs and pelvis in the future.
BUNIONS
Most of us are familiar with the deformity of a bunion in the foot. It occurs in the joint between the foot bone (metatarsal) and big toe (phalange). It is most common in women due to tight and improper fitting shoes. We have been very successful in our office in treating this area, as long as the joint has not formed any large arthritic spurs. If it treated in the beginning stages with proper joint manipulation and other techniques, a deformity of the toe can be overcome.
PLANTAR FASCIITIS
The plantar fascia is the connective tissue in the bottom of the foot from the heel to the base of the toes. When this tissue becomes overstretched or inflamed in results in this condition. It is caused from flat feet, improper footwear, or being on feet too much. The patient complains of sharp heel or arch pain that is usually worse when getting out of bed in the mornings or standing up after being seated for a prolonged period of time. It is most often confused with heels spurs (see next section), with the only diagnostic method being an x-ray. If no spur is noted, it is diagnosed as plantar fasciitis. We treat this through the use of joint manipulation in the ankle and/or foot, ultrasound, low-level laser therapy, orthotics, proper footwear, and modification of activity.
HEEL SPURS
Heel spurs usually occur at the front of the heel where it connects to the arch. Chronic pressure upon the plantar fascia as it attaches to the heel, causes inflammation, which over a period of time calcifies and becomes a spur. It is painful to touch at the area of the spur. Treatment consists of ultrasound, orthotics, proper footwear, and modification of activity.
HYPERPRONATION (FLAT FEET)
This is a condition that is near and dear to my heart. My feet are excessively flat and have been ever since birth. After starting in chiropractic college, x-rays were taken of my low back, which revealed a noticeable scoliosis. This was determined to have been a result of my flat feet. When I was younger, I was casted by a podiatrist with steel arches, followed after that by hard plastic arch supports (orthotics). Talk about uncomfortable! In my office, I now cast people with flexible, custom-made orthotics from Foot Levelers. They are patient-specific prescriptions and are not just a general pair that is pulled off the shelf for anyone to use. I also counsel patients on what footwear to use.
Why Choose Us?
Because Dr. Bunkers LOVES his job!
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We do not
require lengthy treatment plans
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We treat
neck and back problems, headaches, joint problems of the arms and legs such as shoulders, knees, etc.
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We treat
the entire family from infants to senior citizens
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We focus
on treating the problem and getting you functioning as soon as possible
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We help
with your insurance questions
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We will
refer out for second opinions if your condition does not improve