I am confused by the way you desrcribe your movements.

When considering the foot and ankle there can be: dosrifexion/plantarflexion, inversion/eversion and pronation/supination.

When say rotation are you veiwing the ankle from the side (sagittal plane) or from the front (frontal plane)? When you say the edge of your foot which edge? (inner/outer, upper/lower?).

Which stretches were you given? how long did you do them? how often? why were you not confident in them? Do you feel tension or discomfort in your P.fascia?

Bear in mind some people have naturally stronger collagen fibres in their soft tissues so if you are naturally inflexible you may have to consider additonal methods such as massage.

Dan

It may not be a flexibility issue but mobility issues in the ankle. many of the sprinters I have recently worked with have ankle dorsi flexion mobility issue not flexibility. They are very flexible muscles controlling dorsi flexion but are unable to dorsi flex enough in the 'paw back' while sprinting.

To determine if it is mobility or flexibility, sit on a bench with your legs straight in front of you and ankles hanging off the edge of the bench. Allow a partner to push the ankle into dorsi flexion. If there is tightness or pain, then it is probably a flexibility issue. If not, then it is probably an ankle ROM/mobility issue.

I agree with alex that a possible cause for your restriction in ROM could be caused through a loss of movement at the joint. Have you had an injury in this area at some point in time?

The joints have an accessory movement that they perform in order to facilitate full ROM. This is not a movement that you can do yourself but it is a physiological movement that the joint performs. When you saw the physio did they assess for this movement? Sometimes a simple mobilisation at the ankle joint can have dramatic results. You may also need to consider the inferior tib/fib joint because as the ankle joint goes into dorsiflexion it moves into a close packed position and this causes a slight separation of the tib and fib. Have you had this joint assessed? If you have a joint restriction, although this may be pain free, stretching the muscles will not rectify it. I suggest that you seek another opinion with someone who can perform these mobilisations if they feel it is necessary. In addition, the therapist/physio can try a Mulligan's mobilisation with movement which can be performed in a weight bearing position however, this must be painfree when performed. Sometimes the increase in movement when performed in a non weight bearing position can be lost when tested in a functional role.

Hope that this helps you to find someone to assess the joint for these possible restrictions

Jo

I just found out the problem is with abduction. I've not heard of the difference that you mention Alex. I'm glad you did though because I don't feel any tightness, it's almost as if there's something that stops it (though it doesn't feel like there is)... just like it won't go any further.

I also have trouble pulling my toes back into dorsiflexion. I've not had any injury ot any of this, I am a naturally tense person and assumed the muscles had shortened.

I've tried all sorts of stretches - you name it I've probably done it... I'm interested by what you've said about mobilisation. I haven't had this done. Is it a podietrist or physio that I would see?

Stuart

Hi Stuart

Mobilisations can definately be performed by a graduate sports therapist. I assume that physio's should also be able to do this treatment. I think that Mulligans techniques are taught on post grad courses that physio's may choose to attend. So maybe you need to ask them beforehand if they can do this treatment if it is deemed necessary. There is a Mulligan technique that addresses a dysfunction in the abduction direction which you may find appriopriate. I do not propose to give you a diagnosis without having assessed your joint I just want to offer another avenue to explore where others routes have failed to resolve your problem. If you are not sure how to contact a sports therapist try contacting the society of sports therapists (just tyoe this into google ) for someone local to your area. If the problem has been going on for a long time then some soft tissue work may be necessary to address any shortening of the surrounding musculature.

Good luck

Jo