Jason Drott, PT, DPT, Clinic Director Jason is a therapist & director at our University City cl inic location. Read his ful l profi le here: FEATURED PT
Foot and ankle pain treatment depends on where the injury happens and how long ago it occurred. If it is not possible to walk more than two or three steps without pain or if the joint looks out of place, it is important to visit a doctor as soon as possible, because a fracture may be suspected. However, within a few hours of compression wrapping and elevation, most people notice that the swelling begins to subside, and they can carry on with most of their daily tasks with minimal discomfort. However, this initial treatment of a foot or ankle sprain does not help strengthen the area and prevent injury in the future. For optimal results, it is best to consult with a physical therapist to see what the best methods would be for healing and avoiding re-injury of the affected area. Once the acute phase of the injury has passed (the point where there is pain), it is possible to prevent future injury through exercises targeted at strengthening the muscles that surround the ankle. Your physical therapist will prescribe certain strengthening exercises to regain your normal levels of function. This may include drawing the alphabet with your toes to improve range of motion, performing calf raises every time you stand at the sink, or raising your toes slowly off of the ground when you are standing in line at the grocery store. How will physical therapy help my sprain or strain? Physical therapy is designed to relieve the pain of a foot or ankle problem, improve range of motion, and strengthen your muscles so they are able to take on the shock of normal activities. While pain within your foot or ankle may subside on its own, there are dysfunctions up the chain that can last for years and lead to other injuries. For example, changes in gait pattern can result in ankle injury, making it difficult for you to move around freely. Physical therapy is the best way to make sure that these injuries do not occur. Our physical therapists will show you therapeutic exercises that target the muscles that keep the foot or ankle supported. They may even recommend a customized physical fitness program that can help you reduce stress on your feet and ankles. Whether you sustained a sprain or strain, physical therapy is the answer to achieving long-term relief. Contact Excel Physical Therapy today to schedule a consultation or to find out more about how physical therapy can help relieve your foot and ankle pains. Getting To The Bottom Of Your Sprain Or Strain
1. How did you decide to become a physical therapist and what motivates you to work with patients? My first exposure to physical therapy was following my father’s rehabilitation after a severe stroke. He spent a prolonged period in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I was immediately impressed by the compassion, skill, and knowledge that all of his therapists possessed. This was a large factor in
my decision to change careers from that of a research scientist to a physical therapist. It was during PT school that I fell in love with the orthopedic aspect of physical therapy. The outpatient orthopedic environment has been a really great fit for me. It provides me the opportunity to connect with a variety of different people and help them reach their goals, while continuously being presented with problem-solving opportunities. 2. In your words, what makes Excel Physical Therapy different from other physical therapy clinics? I believe it’s the one-to-one care that genuinely sets Excel apart from other clinics. Excel provides both the patient and the therapist an environment where time can be spent to tailor a specific program, including a lot of manual therapy, to directly address a patient’s specific needs and also be able to adjust it as necessary along the way. In other therapeutic settings, where the PT has to see several patients at a time, neither the patient nor the therapist is in the ideal environment for success. 3. What was your most memorable patient experience? My most memorable patient experiences come from helping patients reach goals they no longer thought were possible to attain. One such example was helping a woman with years of chronic back pain go upstairs again. She hadn’t been on the second floor of her house in 2 years, but also be able to lie flat and sleep in her own bed again. She said, being able to sleep in the arms of her husband again meant the world to her. 4. If you could be any animal, what would it be and why? I would be a dog, preferably a good dog, they get more treats. I really think there is a very unique and special companionship between people and dogs, and I’d be happy to be on either end of that bond. 5. If you could describe yourself in one word what would it be and why? Humorous. If you can get someone to laugh, then you can get them to like you. If they like you, they will trust you. If they trust you, they will listen to you and will ultimately rehab better. :) 6. What do you like to do in your off time, outside the clinic? My wife and I really enjoy spending a lot of time traveling, hiking, and camping with our two dogs, especially more of the latter, given the recent turn of worldwide events. Even when our one older dog was blind and not walking well, he still enjoyed all the smells of being outdoors, so we got him a doggy backpack and brought him along. I continue to enjoy running and strength training, having had been fortunate to participate in several Broad street runs and Philly marathons over the years. I also enjoy practicing and teaching martial arts, next year marking the 20th anniversary since I first started.
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