Ankle complaints are common. That is hardly surprising, as we use our feet for almost the entire day, so they have a lot of force to absorb. We also often see ankle complaints in runners, footballers and dancers.
Whether it is a nagging pain, a stiff feeling or (repeatedly) going over on your ankle, it is always wise to have an osteopath look at what is going on. The cause of ankle complaints may lie in the blood supply to the area around the ankle, in the mobility of the many small bones of the foot and ankle in relation to each other, or elsewhere in the body. The osteopath traces the cause of the restriction and treats that area. The ankle complaints will then ease.
There are many different types of ankle complaints. We distinguish between acute and recurring ankle complaints, such as:
If an acute ankle complaint is not treated properly, it can lead to chronic complaints.
If you have gone over on your ankle, it can swell up considerably (“a swollen ankle”). The swelling may be accompanied by bruising and can be painful. It is then advisable to keep the leg raised, apply plenty of ice and spare the ankle for a few days. Bandaging the ankle can also help to reduce the swelling.
Treatment by an osteopath can also provide relief with acute ankle complaints. The osteopath checks the entire musculoskeletal system and can thereby prevent acute ankle complaints from turning into chronic pain, in the ankle or elsewhere in the body.
When we think of ankle pain, we first think of an accident (for example during sport) or a bruised ankle, for instance from a misstep. However, there may also be a congenital foot abnormality (such as flat feet) that means the ankle is not loaded properly. Wear and tear of the joints due to ageing or obesity, and a difference in leg length, can also lead to ankle complaints. Finally, we often see that ankle complaints are part of a disrupted chain originating in the pelvis or lower back. An osteopath will therefore always check the patient’s entire body for restrictions in the mobility of organs, muscles, tendons, connective tissue and joints. The site of the restriction is then treated, after which the body can continue to heal itself.
With acute ankle complaints, the osteopath will of course always first check that there is no tear or fracture in the bones of the foot, ankle or lower leg, and that the Achilles tendon and ankle ligaments are still intact. Osteopathy looks at the whole body and whether there are restrictions anywhere in it. When a patient comes in with ankle complaints, the knee, hip, pelvis and back will therefore also be examined, as a problem in these joints can affect how the ankle functions, and vice versa. Other possible factors are investigated as well.
The osteopath also examines whether the ankle is not too mobile, which can happen after a sprain, when the ankle ligaments are temporarily overstretched. The patient then starts to compensate, which can cause complaints elsewhere in the body or even lead to more frequent sprains. If the ankle does not move freely, the mobility of the affected joints is restored through manipulations or mobilisations. This clears the way for the ankle complaints to disappear. After treatment you will literally feel more at ease in your own body.
What makes osteopathy unique is that it looks at the whole person behind the complaint, not just at the complaint itself. The osteopath will therefore always ask about previous complaints in your life (such as accidents, operations or illnesses), whether you have allergies or stress, what your diet is like, whether you play sport, and so on. You are then treated on the basis of the overall picture. You will also receive advice on preventing complaints in the future.