It’s never a good time to suffer from a foot injury, whether you are an avid young sports player or always chasing after the grandchildren. Unfortunately, simply resting and waiting for the pain to pass does not always mean a full recovery has been reached. Early return to activity can lead to a recurring foot injury.
Recurring injuries can be particularly frustrating because it might feel as though you are constantly starting your recovery again. While rest is an important first step, understanding what caused the injury in the first place is often just as important.
Why does the same injury keep coming back?
Re-injury is a very common scenario. You twist your ankle playing tennis at the weekend, then take it easy for the rest of the week. You quickly start walking normally again, but a jog or tennis drills was just too hasty, and before you know it you are back to day one, with an ice compress, horizontal on the sofa.
There are many reasons why you might suffer from a recurring foot injury.
These include:
- Returning to exercise too quickly
- Insufficient rehabilitation
- Weakness or reduced flexibility
- Poor foot or ankle mechanics
- Changes in training volume
- Unsuitable footwear
- An underlying structural issue
The mistake many people make is believing that just because the pain has settled, the injury is fully healed. It is also crucial to remember that, if your doctor says that you can start weightbearing after 6 weeks, that does not mean that you can resume activity straight away.
Common types of recurring foot and ankle injuries
Knowing the type of injury that keeps coming back is crucial for understanding how to fully recover. These are the types of recurring foot injuries that we commonly see in our clinic:
- Plantar fascitis
- Achilles tendon pain
- Ankle sprains
- Stress fractures
- Tendon problems
- Metatarsalgia
With each injury affecting a different part of the foot, the reason for recurrence can be different too.
Could the problem be your biomechanics?
Certain anatomical factors increase the chances of recurring foot injury. Each foot is built differently, so if you’re experiencing chronic foot pain regularly, a visit to our centre can help you understand the biomechanics of your foot. A detailed analysis may highlight:
- Foot shape
- Alignment
- Walking or running pattern (gait analysis)
- Ankle mobility
- Muscle strength
- The way weight is distributed through the foot
- Calf tightness
Specialist assessment will help you identify why a particular area is being overloaded and leading to frequent injury.
Why rehabilitation matters
Treatment should not necessarily stop just because the pain disappears. When you visit our specialist foot and ankle clinic in London, our podiatrists and physiotherapists will build you a rehabilitation plan based on improving strength, mobility and flexibility. This will likely include a series of stretches and light exercises to carry out at home.
Practicing balance is also an important part of recovery, as correctly putting weight on your feet evenly limits the chance of straining the uninjured foot. The same applies to foot placement while moving. Improving strength, coordination and stability can help your foot cope better with the demands of your everyday activities or chosen sport.
Most importantly, rehabilitation should be gradual. Pushing yourself to return to your previous level of activity too quickly can put unnecessary stress on an area that is still recovering. There is not a set time of rehabilitation – it depends on your individual case. You move forward when functional goals are achieved, not according to how many weeks have passed.
When should I see a foot and ankle specialist?
If you keep experiencing the same foot injury, it is worth considering whether there is an underlying reason for the recurrence. You should consider seeking professional advice if your pain:
- Keep returning after treatment or rest
- Prevents you from exercising
- Is becoming more frequent
- Is accompanied by persistent swelling
- Has not improved as expected
- Continues, despite making changes to your activity levels.
A specialist assessment can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether investigation or treatment is needed.
How can we help at the London Foot and Ankle Centre?
At the London Foot and Ankle Centre, we understand how frustrating it can be when the same foot injury keeps disrupting your life. Our team can assess your foot and ankle, consider your biomechanics and activity levels, and help identify factors that may be contributing to your recurring symptoms.
Rather than simply waiting for the pain to disappear again, understanding the cause of your injury can help you take a more proactive approach to your recovery.
Don’t let a recurring foot injury hold you back
If you’re repeatedly suffering from the same foot or ankle injury, it may be time to look beyond the symptoms. With the right assessment and rehabilitation plan, you can better understand what is causing the problem and how to reduce the likelihood of it returning.
Contact us by filling out our appointment form or by calling us on 0207 078 3800.
