Moving Parts

Made up of 26 bones connected to 33 joints and more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments, the foot is one of the most complex parts of the human body. Feet and ankles support our weight as we stand, walk and move in other ways. Made up of the forefoot (the five toes and the five longer bones known as the metatarsals); the midfoot (the pyramid-like bones that form the foot’s arch); and the hindfoot (the heel and ankle), the foot also features the Achilles tendon, the strongest in the body. These crucial parts can be vulnerable to a host of uncomfortable but treatable conditions including:

• Achilles tendon issues (bursitis, tendonitis, tendinosis, rupture)

• Ankle fusion

• Ankle replacement

• Ankle injuries

• Ankle fractures

• Ankle sprains and high ankle sprains

• Arthritis

• Cavus foot (high arch foot)

• Flatfoot (fallen arches)

• Fractures

• Great toe arthritis (Hallux limitus or rigidus aka stiff big toe)

• Hammertoes and claw toes

• Heel spur 

• Lacerations

• Lateral ankle instability

• Ligament injuries

• LisFranc injuries (dislocation / fracture)

• Nerve injuries

• Neuromas (injection, decompression, excision)

• Osteochondral lesions of the talus (ankle cartilage damage)

• Painful hardware

• Plantar plate tears

• Posterior tibial tendonitis

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Soft tissue tumors (ganglions, fibromas)

• Stress fractures

• Tarsal tunnel

• Tendon injuries 

Supportive Care

MANY COMMON FOOT DISORDERS, CONDITIONS AND INJURIES CAN BE TREATED BY NONSURGICAL METHODS. FOR LESS SERIOUS CONCERNS, TREATMENT MIGHT INCLUDE RICE (REST, ICE, COMPRESSION AND ELEVATION) AND ORTHOTICS OR INSOLES THAT GIVE SUPPORT TO THE FEET. INJECTING MEDICINE DIRECTLY INTO THE JOINTS CAN RELIEVE PAIN. CASTING IMMOBILIZES A FRACTURED BONE SO THE AFFECTED AREA CAN HEAL. IN SOME CASES, SURGERY IS NECESSARY FOR HEALING INJURY TO REGAIN RANGE OF MOTION, FUNCTION AND STABILITY. SURGICAL SOLUTIONS MIGHT INCLUDE ARTHROSCOPY, FUSIONS, JOINT REPLACEMENT, RECONSTRUCTION OR REPAIRS AND OTHER INTERVENTIONS.

The Path to Health

If you have persistent foot, ankle or heel pain, it’s time to contact a foot and ankle specialist. Call us today and find out how we can help you take the next step to relief.