Health blog

Our knees, feet, and ankles carry the weight of our bodies and help us navigate through the world. So it’s no wonder that we put a lot of wear and tear on the joints of the knees, feet and ankles. It is also fairly common to experience pain in one or more of these important joints from time to time, especially as we grow older. Our knees are especially prone to aches and pains. It’s so common, in fact, that over 25% of adults experience knee pain. But what happens when we experience knee, foot and ankle pain at the same time?

It’s important to remember that our bodies are connected. It may be that the cause of your knee pain is the same cause as your ankle pain and your foot pain.

Why am I experiencing knee, foot and ankle pain at the same time?

Feeling knee, foot and ankle pain all at once can stop us from enjoying everyday activities, feeling good while we’re at work or from wanting to walk at all. There are a number of reasons why you might be experiencing this combination of pain, such as:

• Osteoarthritis — Many people experience pain in their joints as they get older due to osteoarthritis. As we age, the cartilage between our joints grows thinner and breaks down, causing the bones to rub together. Overuse can often make osteoarthritis symptoms worse, which is why pain in the knees, feet and ankles is so common.

• Rheumatoid arthritis — If the pain in your knees, feet and ankles is also accompanied by swelling, tenderness and a fever, it may be due to rheumatoid arthritis. Unlike osteoarthritis, which happens due to the natural aging process, rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an overzealous immune system. This disease causes the immune system to attack the joints, which results in inflammation and pain.

• Improper gait — The way you walk may also be the cause of pain in your knees, feet and ankles. If you are wearing worn-out or ill-fitting footwear, or you walk in a way that places stress on your feet, it may be the cause of the pain in other parts of your body. If you have foot problems that prevent you from walking normally, such as fallen arches or a sprain, walking will place extra strain on your ankles and knees.

• Muscle strain — Muscle strain is the result of our muscles being overused or overexerted. If you play sports such as basketball, which requires a lot of running and jumping, there is a chance that you’ve strained the muscles in your legs or feet. Straining your muscles can happen during long stretches of repetitive motion as well.

How can physical therapy help me with my knee, foot and ankle pain?

After a licensed physical therapist has worked with you to determine the cause of your pain, there are a number of methods they can employ to treat it. Physical therapy is not just for treating pain, however. A good physical therapy program should be designed to strengthen your body, increase your flexibility and mobility, and help prevent you from injuring yourself in the future. 

For physical therapy specialists in the southern New Orleans, Louisiana, area, look to Rehab Access Physical Therapy. Our team of physical therapy specialists are ready to help you tackle your knee, foot and ankle pain at the source. We will work with you to design a custom physical therapy plan that is right for your needs.

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.