Joint Pain
Joints provide you with a lot of support to help you move. So, any harm to the joints may be excruciatingly painful. Joint pain is very common, especially the older you get. You should never disregard joint pain. Joint pain can affect any part of the body, from your ankles and feet to your shoulders and hands. There are many possible causes of joint pain.
Common Causes of Knee, Foot, and Ankle Pain:
- Overuse of the muscles
- Dislocations
- Arthritis
- Obesity
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Tumors
Your symptoms may give you an idea of what could be causing the pain. Self-diagnosis, however, is never advised. This not only results in inaccurate self-diagnosing but also will increase anxiety. People run the risk of being wrong, especially if the symptoms they are experiencing are common.
Symptoms of Knee, Foot, and Ankle Pain:
- Constant pain in the affected joint
- Redness
- Swollen
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Instability
Though you should never self-diagnose, there are certain things you can do to reduce joint pain before consulting a professional.
How to Ease Knee Pain:
- Put as little weight as possible on your knee
- Avoid standing for a long period
- Use an ice pack wrapped in a towel on your knee for up to 15 minutes several times each day
- Elevate the joint above the level of your heart
How to Ease Foot and Ankle Pain:
- Rest and raise your ankle when you can
- Put an ice pack wrapped in a towel on your ankle or foot for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
- Wrap a bandage around your ankle to support it
To learn more about joint pain click here.
Physical Therapist for Joint Pain
If ignored or improperly treated, joint pain can become chronic, leading to months and years of pain. Chronic joint pain that goes ignored or is improperly treated may lead to surgery. However, physical therapy can help you before surgery is even an option, and that will provide you with long-lasting pain relief.
Our physical therapists are experts in treating patients suffering from chronic joint pain. They will help reduce pain and improve your range of motion. Each patient will get a personalized course of treatment that will include tailored routines to help them get back on their feet and back to the activities they love with no pain. The regimen will first begin by identifying and locating the cause of pain. Treatment will differ depending on the location of the pain. Lastly, they will lead their patient through stretching, strengthening, and balancing exercises for the joint to prevent future injuries.
The typical recovery time for joint pain will depend on the type, severity of the injury, and the treatment recommended by your doctor. Acute injuries can last one to two weeks. More extensive injuries may take one to three months to heal. Major injuries may take up to a year to fully heal. You should always consult with your doctor before returning to any activities that may make your pain worse.
Schedule an appointment with one of our physical therapists to help you control your knee, foot, or ankle pain!
