Why are my foot arch and ankle in pain after I’m done running?

Pain in Arch of Foot and Ankle After Running

Running is a fun and healthy activity enjoyed by people of all ages. It contributes to heart health, muscle strength, and maintaining a healthy weight, as well as helping you get your recommended dose of vitamin D from the sun. But if running has begun to cause you pain, you might not find it as fun as you once did. Pain in the arches of your feet and ankles after running, for instance, may be symptoms of a more serious problem.

What could be the cause of my foot and ankle pain after running?

There are a number of conditions that may be causing you to feel pain in your foot arches and ankles after you’ve finished running. Thankfully, many orthopedic issues such as these can be treated without surgery. A specialist in physical therapy can help to diagnose the cause of your foot and ankle pain. Some of the more common causes include:

  • Flat feet or fallen arches — Sometimes the arches in our feet, which help us support our body weight and maintain balance, can fall and cause our feet to become flat. This can happen due to age, overuse, or injury. Flat feet can cause pain in the feet and ankles, as well as the lower legs and knees.
  • Plantar fasciitis — This condition occurs when the web of fascia that connects the heel to the front of the foot becomes stressed. This stress is usually due to overuse. Stiffness and pain in the arches of the feet are symptoms of plantar fasciitis. The symptoms usually become worse after walking or running.
  • Osteoarthritis — There are many joints that make up our feet and ankles. If you are over the age of 65, there’s a chance your foot and ankle pain could be caused by osteoarthritis. This condition occurs when the cartilage between our joints becomes thinner as we age, causing our bones to rub against one another.
  • Stress fracture — A fracture may be the cause of your foot and ankle pain. If you have landed on your foot too hard, or have twisted your foot severely, you may have suffered a fracture in your foot or ankle. Sports like running are a common source of stress fractures in the feet and ankles. Swelling in your foot arches or ankle is also a symptom of a stress fracture.

How can physical therapy help with pain in my foot arches and ankles after running?

Many of the causes of foot and ankle pain can be treated with physical therapy. Physical therapy can help reduce the pain in your feet without the need for surgery or prescription pain medication. A licensed physical therapy specialist can treat your painful foot arches and ankles using a number of trusted techniques, including:

Whatcom Physical Therapy is ready and willing to be your trusted partner in wellness. If you are experiencing pain in your foot arches and ankles after running, let one of our specialists determine the cause. We will work with you to pinpoint the reason for your pain and create a plan of physical therapy to treat it based on your needs and schedule.

A free screening at one of our clinics is the first step you need to get started.

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