Ankle & Foot Injuries

Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains are one of the most common sports injuries, typically caused by the foot rolling inwards or outwards, overstretching the ligaments that support the joint. Symptoms include swelling, bruising, and pain when bearing weight. Sports therapy focuses on restoring stability, mobility, and balance through manual therapy, targeted strengthening, and proprioceptive training to prevent recurrent sprains and long-term instability.

Achilles Tendinopathy

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone and plays a crucial role in running, jumping, and walking. Overuse, poor footwear, or sudden increases in activity can cause inflammation or degeneration of this tendon. Treatment involves load management, eccentric exercises, red light therapy, and manual techniques to reduce pain, promote healing, and rebuild tendon strength.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain, resulting from inflammation or irritation of the plantar fascia — a thick band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot. It often develops due to overuse, poor foot mechanics, or tight calf muscles. Sports therapy addresses this through soft tissue release, mobility work, and specific strengthening to restore proper foot function and reduce stress on the fascia.

Metatarsal Stress Fractures

Stress fractures in the metatarsal bones of the foot occur from repetitive impact or overtraining, particularly in running and jumping sports. Symptoms include localised pain, swelling, and discomfort that worsens with activity. Rehabilitation focuses on gradual load progression, strength restoration, and movement correction to ensure complete recovery and safe return to sport.

Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)

Shin splints develop from repetitive impact and overloading of the lower leg muscles and connective tissue, often linked to poor footwear, training errors, or tight calves. This condition causes pain along the inner shin and can progress if left untreated. Sports therapy treatment includes soft tissue release, mobility improvement, and progressive strengthening to correct biomechanical issues and prevent recurrence.

General Injury Categories

Strains and sprains are typical injuries that impact the soft tissues of the body, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Strains usually occur when a muscle or tendon is pushed past its capacity, while sprains involve damage to the ligaments that stabilise joints like the ankle, knee, or wrist. These types of injuries often stem from quick, awkward movements, fatigue, or incorrect form during activity. Support and treatment from a sports therapist can speed up healing, rebuild strength, and lower the likelihood of re-injury.

Muscle tears occur when muscle fibres are overstretched or torn, often due to sudden force, overexertion, or inadequate warm-up. The severity can range from mild discomfort to significant pain and loss of function. Recovery focuses on a structured rehabilitation process designed to promote healing and restore strength. Treatment may include red light therapy to accelerate tissue repair, manual therapy to reduce tightness and improve mobility, and tailored rehabilitation exercises to rebuild muscle function safely. This targeted approach ensures effective recovery and a confident return to activity.

Fractures and dislocations are serious injuries that often occur from high-impact forces, falls, or collisions during sport. A fracture is a break in the bone, while a dislocation happens when a bone is forced out of its joint, commonly affecting the shoulder, fingers, or knee. Both injuries require careful assessment and a structured rehabilitation plan to restore mobility, strength, and function. With guidance from a sports therapist, treatment focuses on safe recovery, preventing complications, and helping you return to activity confidently and effectively.