Foot & Ankle Specialty Care

Welcome to a dedicated foot and ankle clinic operating under the OrthoRehab Specialists umbrella. Our Edina and Twin Cities teams specialize in diagnosing and treating complex foot and ankle conditions, drawing on extensive experience and evidence-based practice. Whether you suffer from heel pain, tendonitis, fractures, or chronic biomechanical issues, our specialists provide targeted care to restore function, reduce pain, and help you return to your daily activities.

Why Foot & Ankle Health Matters

The foot and ankle form one of the most intricate load-bearing complexes in the human body. There are 28 bones, more than 100 ligaments, dozens of muscles, and a network of tendons and nerves working together to support body weight and propel you forward. When you walk, the foot absorbs roughly 120% of your body weight with each step, and running increases that load to up to 275%. Given this high demand, foot and ankle conditions rank among the most common musculoskeletal complaints.

Proper foot mechanics are essential for balance, stability, and efficient movement. Even small deviations such as fallen arches, tight calf muscles, or restricted joint mobility can lead to compensations up the kinetic chain, affecting the knees, hips, and lower back. Our specialists understand that addressing foot and ankle dysfunction not only relieves local symptoms but also helps prevent secondary injuries elsewhere in the body.

Comprehensive Evaluation Process

When you choose our foot and ankle specialty care, you benefit from a thorough, multi-step evaluation designed to uncover the root causes of your symptoms. Our process includes:

• Patient Interview: We begin by discussing your medical history, onset of symptoms, prior treatments, and relevant lifestyle factors. We want to understand how foot or ankle pain affects work duties, athletic pursuits, and daily function in Edina, Bloomington, or Minneapolis.
• Structural and Postural Assessment: Our team examines foot alignment, arch height, ankle dorsiflexion, and overall lower extremity posture. We look for muscle tightness, ligament laxity, and static foot positions that may contribute to dysfunction.
• Dynamic Movement Analysis: We assess gait mechanics including heel strike, midstance, and toe-off phases. Video gait analysis may be used to identify pronation, supination, or other compensatory patterns during walking or running.
• Joint Mobility Testing: Evaluating ankle joint range of motion particularly dorsiflexion and plantarflexion is critical. We also assess subtalar and midfoot joint mobility to identify restrictions that could alter load distribution.
• Muscle Strength and Flexibility: Testing calf complex, intrinsic foot muscles, and peroneal muscle strength helps detect imbalances. We measure flexibility of the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantar fascia to guide targeted interventions.
• Functional Mobility Screens: We evaluate balance, single-leg stance, and dynamic movements such as hopping or cutting. These screens reveal deficits in proprioception and neuromuscular control that often accompany chronic foot or ankle pain.
• Orthopedic Special Tests: When indicated, we perform tests like the Windlass test for plantar fasciitis, Thompson test for Achilles integrity, and Tinel’s sign for tarsal tunnel syndrome. These assessments help confirm or rule out specific diagnoses.

Targeted Treatment Modalities

Based on evaluation findings, our clinicians develop a comprehensive treatment plan that may include:

• Manual Therapy: Techniques such as joint mobilizations, soft tissue mobilization, and connective tissue manipulation help restore joint play, reduce muscle tension, and improve circulation in the affected area.
• Therapeutic Exercises: Customized exercise programs focus on strengthening intrinsic foot muscles, peroneals, and the calf complex to improve arch stability, ankle control, and overall foot mechanics.
• Stretching & Flexibility: Targeted stretching of the gastrocnemius, soleus, plantar fascia, and Achilles tendon addresses tightness that underlies conditions like plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy.
• Gait Retraining: Using visual feedback and video analysis, we teach proper foot placement, stride length, and cadence modifications to reduce excessive loading and abnormal pronation during walking and running.
• Orthotic and Bracing Recommendations: Diagnostic gait analysis and pressure mapping may reveal the need for custom foot orthotics, arch supports, or ankle braces to correct biomechanical faults and offload painful structures. Learn more on our Orthotics page.
• Modalities: When appropriate, we utilize cold compression therapy, ultrasound, and low-level laser therapy to reduce acute inflammation and pain while accelerating the healing process.
• Functional Training: For athletes or individuals returning to demanding activities, we integrate sport-specific drills, plyometrics, balance training, and agility exercises to ensure safe return to activity.
• Patient Education: We prioritize teaching you proper footwear selection, activity modification, and home self-care strategies including foam rolling, arch taping techniques, and stretching routines to promote long-term success.

Common Foot & Ankle Conditions We Treat

Our specialists have expertise in treating a wide array of foot and ankle disorders. Below is a detailed list of conditions we frequently address:

• Accessory Navicular Syndrome: A painful extra bone or piece of cartilage on the medial side of the foot that can cause arch discomfort and tendon strain.
• Ankle Impingement: Mechanical compression of soft tissues in the anterior or posterior ankle, leading to pain during dorsiflexion or plantarflexion.
• Ankle Sprains: Lateral ligament injuries resulting from inversion or eversion motions. Our protocols include proprioceptive retraining and progressive strengthening to reduce instability and re-injury risk.
• Achilles Tendonitis & Tendinopathy: Overuse injuries of the Achilles tendon causing pain during activity. Treatment often includes eccentric loading exercises, manual therapy, and heel lift modifications.
• Arthritis: Degenerative changes in the ankle or subtalar joints that cause pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. We use joint mobilizations, strengthening, and functional bracing to help manage symptoms.
• Bunions (Hallux Valgus): Deformities of the first metatarsophalangeal joint leading to lateral deviation of the big toe. Foot stretching, strengthening of intrinsic muscles, and offloading strategies help address pain and slow progression.
• Calcaneal Bone Bruise: Bone contusions in the heel resulting from high-impact activities. Initial management may include rest, ice, and low-level shockwave therapy to stimulate healing.
• Compartment Syndrome: Increased pressure within the foot or calf compartments causing pain and swelling. Activity modification, stretching, and manual techniques can reduce pressure; in severe cases, referral for surgical evaluation is arranged.
• Cuboid Syndrome: Lateral foot pain due to subluxation or dysfunction of the cuboid bone. Joint mobilizations, targeted exercises, and taping techniques correct alignment and restore biomechanics.
• Fat Pad Atrophy: Thinning of the heel’s fat pad leading to painful heel strikes. We recommend shock-absorbing insoles, modified footwear, and targeted gastroc-soleus stretching to reduce pressure and improve comfort.
• Foot Fractures: Metatarsal, talar, or calcaneal fractures requiring immobilization and gradual return to weight bearing. Our protocols include edema control, gentle range of motion exercises, and progressive strengthening as healing allows.
• Hammer Toes: Contractures of the proximal interphalangeal joints of the lesser toes. Stretching, toe mobilizations, and intrinsic muscle strengthening help improve alignment and reduce pain.
• Haglund’s Deformity: A bony enlargement on the back of the heel that irritates the Achilles tendon. Manual therapy, Achilles tendon stretching, and heel lift modifications help offload stress and reduce inflammation.
• Metatarsalgia: Pain in the ball of the foot due to overloading of the metatarsal heads. Metatarsal pads, gait retraining, and strengthening of foot intrinsic muscles help redistribute load and alleviate pain.
• Morton’s Neuroma: Thickening of tissue around the interdigital nerve, often between the third and fourth toes. Neural mobilization, metatarsal pad taping, and footwear modifications reduce nerve irritation.
• Muscle Strains: Strains of intrinsic or extrinsic foot muscles such as peroneals or tibialis posterior. Progressive eccentric and concentric strengthening, along with manual therapy, facilitates recovery and prevents recurrence.
• Nerve Entrapments: Nerve compression syndromes like tarsal tunnel or Baxter’s neuropathy. Our assessments include nerve gliding techniques, manual mobilizations, and footwear recommendations to alleviate compression and restore function.
• Osteochondritis Dissecans: A lesion of subchondral bone in the talus leading to joint pain and mechanical symptoms. We manage stable lesions with activity modification, bracing, and proprioceptive training; unstable lesions are referred for surgical consultation.
• Peroneal Tendinitis: Inflammation of the peroneal tendons on the lateral aspect of the ankle. Treatment includes tendon gliding exercises, bracing to support the lateral ankle, and progressive strengthening.
• Plantar Fasciitis: Inflammation of the plantar fascia at its insertion on the calcaneus causing heel pain. Our protocols include night splints, plantar fascia and calf stretching, manual release techniques, and strengthening of intrinsic foot muscles.
• Posterior Tibial Tendonitis: Inflammation and degeneration of the posterior tibial tendon leading to flatfoot deformity. We focus on tendon loading exercises, foot orthoses, and manual therapy to restore arch support and tendon health.
• Retrocalcaneal Bone Bruise: Bone contusion at the posterior calcaneus typically caused by dorsiflexion injury. Management includes activity modification, icing, and manual techniques to address surrounding soft tissue restrictions.
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: Compression of the tibial nerve within the tarsal tunnel causing tingling or burning in the foot. Nerve gliding, foot intrinsic strengthening, and manual mobilizations help reduce compression and improve neural mobility.
• Turf Toe: Sprain of the first metatarsophalangeal joint from forced hyperextension. Joint mobilizations, rest, taping, and progressive return to sport drills restore strength and prevent reinjury.

Twin Cities Ankle & Foot Physical Therapy

If you experience any of these conditions or injuries, contact us today to schedule an appointment with a skilled Edina or Minneapolis therapist. Our clinics offer specialized foot and ankle care tailored to your needs, from athlete-level performance recovery to everyday functional improvements across the Twin Cities area.