Ankle/Knee/Calf foot care and lower-body health

Listed below you will find links to all products in the category Ankle/Knee/Calf in alphabetical order. Click the link for a detailed description of each item.

Foot and Lower-Body Health Facts

Achilles Tendonitis

The Achilles tendon, the strongest tendon in the body, connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Named after the Greek warrior who could only be mortally wounded in his heel, the Achilles tendon supports your body’s weight during exercise and everyday activities such as walking and climbing stairs. When this tendon becomes irritated or inflamed, you may experience a sharp, constant pain just above your heel.

Causes:

Tight calf muscles due to poor stretching or a too rapid increase in the frequency or intensity of athletic activity typically cause Achilles tendonitis.

The following conditions and factors can also lead to Achilles tendonitis:

Flat feet or over-pronation during walking or running.
Shoes that don’t stabilize your feet.
Leg length discrepancy (one leg is longer than the other).

Symptoms:

Achilles tendonitis is characterized by a sharp or burning pain about two inches above the heel bone of the foot. The pain can be accompanied by mild to moderate swelling, and in cases where the condition has existed long-term or has become chronic, additional symptoms may appear, including:

Thickening of the tendon compared to the other leg.
A crackling sound with movement of the ankle.
Tiny lumps along the tendon, caused by scar tissue that has formed around the tendon.

Relief and Prevention:

Find relief from Achilles tendonitis by following these suggestions:

Temporarily stop the activity that caused the pain (running, excessive walking, etc.).
Ice and/or massage the painful area. Apply ice approximately three times a day for 20 minutes to help reduce inflammation of the tendon.
Gently stretch and massage your calf muscle using a stretching aid.
Use a heel lift in your shoes to help reduce the pull on the tendon and promote healing.
To avoid future problems with Achilles tendonitis, try the following:
Consistently stretch your calf muscles before exercising or walking.
Use heel lifts and cushions in your shoes.
Ease back into exercise slowly, allowing time to heal.
Wear shoes that stabilize your feet during motion. Remember, an ideal support shoe has the following characteristics:
- A firm heel counter
- A wide enough toe box to accommodate toes without pinching
- A semi-rigid or rigid shank
- A removable inner sole
- A long vamp
- A heel measuring between ¾ - 1½ inches

If the pain persists, The Podiatry Institute recommends consulting a podiatrist, as chronic Achilles tendonitis may require physical therapy, cast immobilization or surgery in extreme cases.

Information on foot, leg and lower body health conditions provided by The Podiatry Institute, dedicated to advancing the standard of care in podiatric medicine and its effects on muscoskeletal health.

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Ankle Sprain

An ankle sprain, usually the result of a fall or injury that "twists" the ankle the wrong way, is a common injury that can affect the soft tissues, typically the ligaments, of the ankle. Ankle sprains are the number one injury concerning the ankle joint.

An ankle sprain, or lateral ankle sprain, can often force sufferers to refrain from physical activity for four to eight weeks, depending on the severity of the damage done. The reason: An ankle sprain results in a stretching to a partial or complete tear of the ankle ligaments on the outside of the foot.

Causes:

Acute trauma or injury usually results in an acute ankle sprain, or outward twisting of the ankle. The following conditions may predispose individuals to an ankle sprain:

A high arch or supinated foot type. Supinated feet turn inward (pigeon-toed).
A neuromuscular disorder that may cause the afflicted person to invert the ankle involuntarily
A muscle imbalance resulting in weak peroneal muscles, the muscles of the ankle joint.
Ligamentous laxity, or "looseness of the ligaments," a condition characterized by the softening of the ligaments holding the bones together.
Limb length discrepancy.
Previous minor ankle sprains, which can weaken the ankle muscles.

People who over supinate, or roll to the outside of their ankles, also tend to get repeated ankle sprains. Their actions weaken the ankle, perpetuating the occurrence of continued sprains.

Symptoms:

Ankle sprains are classified by severity:

Grade 1: mild or minimal sprain with no tearing.
Grade 2: Moderate sprain with incomplete or partial tear of the ligaments with marked swelling, eccymosis (black and blueness), pain and difficulty walking.
Grade 3: A complete tear or rupture of the ligaments with swelling, internal bleeding, ankle instability and inability to walk.

Improper initial treatment of an acute ankle sprain often leads to poor healing and chronic lateral ankle instability, where the ankle constantly "gives way" on irregular terrain and even on flat surfaces.

Relief and Prevention:

Treatment for ankles sprains is based on the severity of injury.

The RICE system – rest, ice, compression, elevation – can be used to treat Grade I sprains:

Rest the painful part and refrain from activity.
Apply intermittent ice to the area.
Apply a compressive wrap.
Elevate the extremity.

Over-the-counter oral anti-inflammatory medications should alleviate the pain.

Following healing, consider the following:

Continue to wrap or tape the ankle, or apply an ankle support for all activity.
Stretch thoroughly before and after athletic activity.
Strengthen the peroneal muscles.
Use lateral heel wedges to prevent the ankle from rolling out.
Wear good, supportive shoes, and consider high-topped shoes for athletic activities. Remember, an ideal support shoe has the following characteristics:
- A firm heel counter
- A wide enough toe box to accommodate toes without pinching
- A semi-rigid or rigid shank
- A removable inner sole
- A long vamp
- A heel measuring between ¾ - 1½ inches

Treatment of Grade 2 and 3 ankle sprains should be reserved for a podiatrist or other trained health care personnel. Severe injury requires x-rays to evaluate the possibility of bony involvement as well.

Swollen ankles

Swollen ankles, feet and legs, referred to medically as edema, occur when fluid is retained in the spaces between body cells. While edema typically affects the feet, ankles and lower legs, it can also impact any area of the body, causing systemic symptoms.

Causes:

Edema can be caused by a serious condition of the kidney, heart, liver or blood vessels, but many other factors can contribute to its onset, including:

Eating a poor diet high in salt and carbohydrates
Abusing laxatives
Abusing diuretics
Abusing drugs
Taking birth control or hormone replacement therapy pills
Pregnancy and PMS
Sodium retention
Varicose veins and history of phlebitis
Allergic reactions
Neuromuscular disorders
Trauma

Symptoms:

Initially, the feet, ankles and legs will appear swollen as the day progresses, but after a period of time, the swelling will set in first thing in the morning and continue to worsen throughout the day. Long-term edema causes pitting: When you press on the swollen area for a few seconds, you will notice an indentation in that area. Continued swelling can cause skin ulcerations.

Over time, other symptoms will develop:

High blood pressure
Headaches
Increased urination
Palpitations
Swollen hands and/or wrists
Puffy eyes
Weight gain

Relief and Prevention:

The hallmark of treatment is to reduce foot, leg and ankle swelling, and the first line of defense: leg elevation. Elevate legs above the level of the heart, which puts minimal pressure on the backs of the knees and thighs and lower back. Just sitting in a reclining chair in front of the TV is a great way to elevate your legs. Many products, for use at home or at work, can also help reduce swelling.

Other aids include:

Leg wedges to elevate the feet while sleeping.
Support socks and stocking, either over-the-counter or customer-made.
- Support socks and stockings come in various gradients depending on the pressure needed, and various lengths depending on the level of the edema.
Proper fitting shoes and socks. Go out to buy new shoes in the afternoon to get the best fit.

Techniques to help decrease swelling:

Increase muscle activity with walking.
Avoid standing in place for long period of time.
Avoid sitting with the feet dependent.
Limit salt intake.
Do not abuse diuretics, but a short-term course may be helpful.
Do not abuse laxatives.
Drink plenty of water.
Avoid contraceptive pills and hormone replacement therapy if possible.
Use a compressions pump to help fluid return to the blood vessels.

If the edema persists or continues to worsen, please consult your physician.

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