After a great discussion seminar with Mr Ghassemi an expert on foot and ankle we covered a range of interesting topics. He shared interesting perspectives on his experience with lateral ankle sprains and his strong belief in aggressive conservative management for them. This is something, as physiotherapists, it is reassuring to hear due to the high amount of ankle instability we see because of patients not appropriately seeking support after injuries!
Another prevalent injury Mr Ghassemi treats and a common one we see a lot as physiotherapists is Achilles tendon ruptures. This injury is something that is often missed and Mr Gassimi highlighted that physiotherapists are one of the most accurate at identifying it. The reason it is often missed or patients don’t report it is because after a few days the pain levels are usually very low compared to other injuries that can last a lot longer. Therefore people often put up with a wobbling walk and do not seek treatment.
If you have had an acute injury to the back of the ankle and calf area that was initially very painful and affected your walking it is important to seek physiotherapy guidance. Mr Ghassemi shared positive news that the recovery disparities between non-surgical and surgical interventions have reduced as physiotherapy has advanced. However, this is contingent on adhering to a strict rehabilitation protocol from a physiotherapist, which is why it is very important to seek help if you have been diagnosed or believe you have ruptured your achilles.
Athletes are the most common demographic to receive operations for achilles rupture but most people can recover very well through conservative physiotherapy treatment. Due to the location of the achilles tendon it receives poor blood supply and this makes the surgery risky due to a possibility of wound breakdown around the area during healing. That is why conservative treatments are a priority, if possible, and focus on allowing healing through initial immobilisation and graded range improvements. There is a strong emphasis on strengthening the calf and surrounding musculature as well as the whole leg. As well as this adjuncts such as shockwave therapy and acupuncture have evidence supported improvements in pain and healing capacities.
Overall there are many options for ankle and foot rehabilitation and finding the right physiotherapist and consultant could greatly support your rehabilitation journey
Call us now for discounted shock wave therapy packages on 020 7435 4910
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