You rely on your feet to walk, exercise, and participate in the activities you enjoy, so it’s important to keep them healthy and pain free. Learning about common foot and ankle conditions and available treatments enables you to maintain your foot health and comfort, stay active, and prioritize your well-being.
This comprehensive guide will explore various foot and ankle conditions treated by orthopaedic surgeons, such as ankle pain, heel pain, midfoot pain, toe pain, diabetic foot problems, and more, along with their common causes, symptoms, and treatments.
If you're dealing with foot or ankle pain, injury, or other symptoms, seeing an orthopaedic surgeon could make a world of difference. These specialists focus on the musculoskeletal system and have the expertise to address a wide range of foot and ankle issues.
Foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons specialize in ankle problems like ankle sprains, ankle arthritis, and peroneal tendinosis; heel pain like plantar fasciitis; midfoot pain like Lisfranc injuries, stress fractures, and midfoot arthritis; toe pain such as bunions and hammertoes; and much more.
These highly trained medical doctors can diagnose and treat a wide range of foot and ankle conditions, ensuring you receive the necessary treatment to feel better and get back to your daily activities.
The foot and ankle are made up of an intricate network of bones, tendons, and ligaments. Some common reasons for foot and ankle problems include overuse, “wear and tear” on your joints over time, poorly fitting shoes, and injury. Medical conditions such as osteoarthritis, nerve damage, and flat feet can also contribute to issues with your foot and ankle.
This section will explore the diverse causes of ankle pain and related conditions, including their symptoms and diagnoses. Some of the most common ankle conditions that a foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon can treat include ankle sprains, arthritis, and peroneal tendinosis.
Those with an ankle sprain or a tearing of the ligaments of the ankle may feel pain on the outside of their ankle and experience various degrees of swelling and bruising. Depending on the severity of the sprain, you may or may not be able to put weight on the foot. An ankle sprain injury occurs when the ankle is twisted underneath the leg, which is called inversion. Surgery is not necessary for the majority of ankle sprains. Instead, your orthopaedic surgeon may recommend the RICE guidelines (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) and possibly immobilizing or splinting your ankle.
Peroneal tendinosis involves the enlargement, thickening, and swelling of the tendons on the outside of the ankle. Symptoms include pain around the back and outside of the ankle. This condition can be caused by improper training, sudden increases in training intensity, and poorly fitting shoes. Individuals with high arches are more susceptible. Non-surgical treatments for peroneal tendinosis may include rest, wearing a CAM walker boot, or receiving platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell injections. Surgery may be necessary if the pain persists.
Plantar fasciitis and broken heel bones are common heel conditions. Below, we will discuss their varied symptoms, causes, diagnoses, and potential treatments.
Individuals with plantar fasciitis may experience severe pain in the heel of their foot. Plantar fasciitis is an overuse injury that affects the sole. It can be caused by having a job that requires a lot of walking or standing on hard surfaces, engaging in frequent walking or running for exercise, and having very flat feet or very high arches. Stretching is the best treatment for plantar fasciitis, and a foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication.
Another heel condition is a broken heel or calcaneus fracture, often caused by a fall from a height or car accident. Symptoms of a heel fracture include pain, swelling, bruising of the heel, and typically an inability to walk. A foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon treating a broken heel may decide between non-surgical treatments, such as placing the foot in a splint or removable fracture boot, or surgical treatment if the joint and bone pieces are not aligned well.
Midfoot arthritis, Lisfranc injury, and stress fractures are common causes of midfoot pain. The following will discuss their symptoms, causes, diagnoses, and potential treatments.
Midfoot arthritis is characterized by pain and swelling in the middle of your foot that gets worse when you stand or walk. Symptoms can develop gradually over time or after a major injury. Fortunately, a foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon can help those with midfoot arthritis by managing their pain and other symptoms with medication and adjustments to shoes and activities.
A common midfoot condition is the Lisfranc Injury. Symptoms may include swelling and pain on the top of the foot near the instep, as well as bruising, especially on the bottom of the foot. This painful foot condition can occur after an accident, athletic injury, or slip. After diagnosis, a foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon will determine if a non-surgical method, such as a cast or CAM boot, or surgery is the best treatment option.
Foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons are well-versed in diagnosing and treating toe pain and conditions such as bunions and hammertoes. In the following, we will discuss their symptoms, causes, diagnoses, and possible treatments.
A large bump along the inside of the big toe could be a bunion. As the bunion grows, it may cause discomfort while walking. While bunions are often hereditary, they can also result from wearing tight shoes, which commonly affects women. Fortunately, most bunions can be managed without surgery by opting for comfortable, spacious footwear. However, in some cases, your foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon might suggest bunion surgery to realign bones, ligaments, tendons, and nerves.
A hammertoe is a condition that occurs when your second, third, or fourth toe is bent upward at the middle joint. People with a hammertoe often feel pain in their toes and may develop corns or calluses from the hammertoe rubbing against the top of their shoe. Often, your surgeon will begin treatment with non-surgical approaches, such as toe strengthening exercises or switching to shoes with a large toe box. If these methods do not work, surgery may be recommended.
Foot and ankle Orthopaedic surgeons diagnose and treat diabetic foot problems and conditions. People with diabetes are at risk for developing foot problems, includingThe most common diabetic foot conditions include Charcot arthropathy and foot ulcers. Below, we will discuss their many the symptoms, causes, diagnoses, and potential treatments for these conditions.
Charcot arthropathy involves peripheral neuropathy, a loss of sensation in the foot and ankle. Symptoms range from swelling and redness, to fractures and dislocations of the bones and joints. Frequent fractures and dislocations can lead to severe foot deformities if not addressed. A foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon can evaluate Charcot arthropathy, determine its stage, and decide if non-surgical treatment or surgery is the best option.
Furthermore, individuals with diabetes are prone to experiencing foot pain and conditions such as foot ulcers. An ulcer can develop from skin infections, small muscle paralysis, or foot deformities caused by Charcot arthropathy. Fortunately, there's a specialized casting technique called the total contact cast that's designed to help heal diabetic foot ulcers and protect the foot during the initial stages of Charcot fracture-dislocations.
The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) offers information on this site as an educational service. The content of FootCareMD, including text, images, and graphics, is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnoses or treatments. If you need medical advice, use the "Find a Surgeon " search to locate a foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon in your area.
