By Krissy Brown
04 Feb, 2025
Clinical Case of the Week, Medical Advisory, Physical Therapy Tips
ankle pain, exercise, injured, Knee pain, Leg pain, Low Back Pain, Nick Rinard physical therapy, Physical Therapy, running, treatment
By MiKayla Sanocki, SPT
Did you know a back problem can cause symptoms such as pain, decreased strength and decreased sensations into the thigh, calf, ankle or foot? Physical therapists trained in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) here at Nick Rinard Physical Therapy can determine during the evaluation if any of these lower leg symptoms are coming from your back.
Check out this bizarre clinical presentation we treated at Nick Rinard Physical Therapy:
She did not remember any trauma to the ankle
The patient came to physical therapy for an “ankle sprain” that occurred 3-months earlier. She stated she woke up unable to put any weight on her right foot. The pain had remained constant in her ankle, so bad at times that she couldn’t walk! Upon further questioning, the patient revealed what she had been doing the day before: She had driven 2 hours, on her way home from helping clean a house. During the drive she had discomfort in her buttock and hamstring that made her want to pull the car over to stretch. She did not remember any trauma to the ankle, however, but the ankle pain was the only pain she was experiencing now.
Her ankle pain has caused her to quit running and yoga — two of her favorite activities.
Mechanical Evaluation finds cause in spine
During the mechanical evaluation we found that certain directions of low back movements decreased the pain in her ankle. After being sent home with 1 simple exercise to perform every waking hour – which she did perfectly – she returned within 24 hours reporting 90% recovery in pain! Over the next week we were able to progress her exercises and now the patient reports no ankle pain at all. In only 4 visits we were able to abolish her ankle pain, and she is now getting back to running and yoga!
The patient reports, “I now have the tools to prevent the return of my back and ankle pain”.
Treatment at Nick Rinard Physical Therapy vs Traditional PT
In contrast to MDT, traditional PT would not have uncovered the spinal cause of the patient’s ankle pain. Treatment would have been ineffective since it would have focused only on trying to treat the symptom.
Do you know if your pain in the legs or arms could be coming from the spine? Schedule your evaluation at Nick Rinard Physical Therapy and find out!
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The beginning of a new year is so exciting! A fresh start with new goals and new beginning.
If you, like so many others, have made a resolution to get healthier this year, Nick Rinard PT may be able to help.
It is very difficult to stay active when you’re in pain!
Nick Rinard Physical Therapy can help keep you on track, and can teach you how to move to prevent injuries!
Don’t allow pain to stand in the way of your 2025 goals!
Nick Rinard Physical Therapy will be closed Tuesday December 31st 2024 to Wednesday January 01 2025.
Please do not hesitate to call and leave a message and someone will be back in the office to return your phone call.
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We can get you back to walking, exercising, running, enjoying your sport again….
“I had horrible knee pain that was keeping me from being a mobile as I wanted.
Even just going up and downstairs even hurt.
Dr. Rinard was amazing- best PT experience I’ve ever had.
Exercises were easy to do + only had once/week appointments after the first week.
I can no go down stairs with no pain, one legged lunges without pain, play tennis without pain, + do 5K walks or more without knee pain.
THANK YOU ALL!”
Marla
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Are you not meeting your step goal because it is painful to walk?
Get back to your full potential with our help.
“My right knee was unable to bend or straighten fully and it was painful to walk.
Now I can fully bend and straighten my knee and walk on flat surfaces and up and down stairs without pain.”
Stephanie
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What a year to review!
Are you having shoulder pain?
“After surgery on my left shoulder I needed a ton of help regaining movement & strength.
I can do pretty much everything that I could do before my injury now – which I didn’t expect would be possible so THANK YOU SO MUCH!“
Amanda
Are you having low back pain?
“I came after severe back pain. I was not able to bend over, walk for extended time, or sit without pain.
Right away I had better results from doing the exercises I was shown then I had ever had with my previous therapist.
I feel like we went at a good pace and throughout my treatment I have been able to increase my overall activity and quality of life.
I have been given the knowledge and tools I need to manage my pain on my own and my back pain has greatly improved!”
Danielle
Are you having knee pain?
“I chose to come here because I read such great reviews.
After reading just a few, I knew this was the place where I needed to be.
I came for my knee, but after completing physical therapy for it, it feel like a lot more than just my knee has improved.
I have better knowledge of mind and body connection, much better balance, and my whole body is stronger overall.
This office has great energy and everyone who needs physical therapy should come here! ”
Ronnie
Failed back surgery?
“I was recommended to investigate the McKenzie Method for my recover, especially as my pain had greatly increased and did not seem to be improving.
The PT folks I was seeing at that time recommend that I check you all out as practitioners of this method. Although eventually we all concluded that a follow up surgery to replace my disk is necessary.
I have much more confidence that I will be able to live a life pain-free, or much reduced.
At the moment I can stand straighter than before, can drives for a short distance if necessary, and better manage my own pain w/o opioids.”
Brian
Let your New Year resolution be one of these testimonials.
Rid yourself of pain and get back to pre-injury/surgery levels!
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