Question
Hello, I sprained my ankle playing soccer about four years ago and ever since my ankle cracks when I point my toes. When I sleep at night I move around a lot and I move my feet. In the morning my feet are so stiff and sore that it is hard to walk straight. I just wondered if I saw a chiropractor, would they be able to re-adjust my foot to prevent them from cracking or is that even possible. I know its my tendons snapping because I can feel them grinding together when I put my hand on my foot.

Cheers
DJ

Answer
DJ,

First, any fluid-filled (synovial) joint has the potential to make noise regardless of whether there is a problem or not.  However, there is a joint cracking noise, "crepitus," that is observed when a joint is injured, is swollen, has adhesions, or simply malfunctions.  Ankle joints that are sprained are very often rendered into a condition of chronic malfunction.   That is why the greatest predictor of having an ankle sprain in the future is if you had one in the past.  This is also called "weak ankle" syndrome.   Skilled high velocity manipulation to the region of the talus bone is one way to alleviate a malfunctioning ankle and often in doing so alleviate the associated symptoms.  Like with many musculoskeletal joint issues, having some soft tissue work done along with the joint manipulation can enhance the outcome.   As for your feet, I am not sure if you are taling about a separate issue of plantar fascitis at the bottom of your foot.  This is very different from ankle joint pain.   Regarding tendons, yes, they will feel more prominent and "snappy" if there is an injury with residual malfunction or soft tissue damage.   Chiropractors with additional training in extremity joint manipulation should be able to address this.  Sports chiropractors, those with post grad training in chiropractic sports medicine (depending on which country, e.g. www.acbsp.com in the USA) also have training in this.   You have to search around and make a few calls to find a DC with these skills.  

GOod luck.

Dr. G