Your foot has 3 arches upon which your entire body weight is supported. Additionally, muscles and tendons that originate in the leg as high as above the knee, attach below the ankle joint to the top and sides of the foot and some wrap around to the bottom of the foot. The Retaniculum, which consists of several 'flat' ligamentous bands around the ankle hold these muscles & tendons in place. A restricted Retaniculum can place pressure on the muscles and tendons that pass beneath it, causing restriction, pain or numbness, and a change of 'gait' from a walk to a limp. A constriction, sprain, strain or improper posture can also cause a change of gait limp which will then effect everything in the 'chain' above the foot. Some 'limps' are slight and after a period of time are not even noticed. Only the pain that appears in other places caused by the imbalance is noticed. Foot problems can result in pain, constriction and joint restriction in the leg, knee, hip, low back, and higher, following the 'chain' as each 'link' in the chain affects the next over time.
In our experience Multiple Sclerosis sufferers invariably have ankle movement restrictions and spasms that cause difficulty walking. Increasing the ability to dorsiflex has been of great benefit in improving walking ability. Constriction and spasms often occur in the Extensor digitorum longus and Extensor hallucis longus when dorsiflexing the foot. Specific work to release the dorsi flexors, plantar flexors, and any other fascia restricting movement contributes to a quality of life improvement for a period of time for clients with Multiple Sclerosis
