Foot Sprains and Strains
Soft tissue injuries in which either the ligaments or the tendons in the foot are stretched or torn. A sprain affects the ligaments, while a strain impacts the tendons. These injuries typically respond well to nonsurgical measures like bracing or physical therapy, which strengthens the foot’s supporting muscles. Repetitive movements performed during sports can cause soft tissue injuries like turf toe, which is a sprain of the main joint in the big toe. More serious injuries, such as complete tears of ligaments or tendons, may require surgery to heal.
Symptoms: Pain, swelling, bruising, stiffness, and a pop or tear sensation in the case of sprains.
Treatment Options: For further information, please select the Treatments tab.
- R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Immobilization/bracing
- Corticosteroid injections
- Physical therapy
Ankle Sprains and Strains
Soft tissue injuries in which either the ligaments or the tendons in the ankle are stretched or torn. A sprain affects the ligaments, while a strain impacts the tendons. These injuries typically respond well to nonsurgical measures like bracing or physical therapy, which strengthens the elbow’s supporting muscles and improves its range of motion. When an ankle sprain is still painful after six weeks, or the ankle has sustained repetitive trauma, the injury is considered chronic. Chronic ankle sprains increase the likelihood of continued discomfort or recurring injury. More serious soft tissue injuries, such as an Achilles tendon rupture, in which the tendon tears completely from the bone, require surgery within the first few weeks of the injury. See below for more information about Achilles tendon injuries.
Symptoms: Pain, swelling, bruising, stiffness, and a pop or tear sensation in the case of sprains.
Treatment Options: For further information, please select the Treatments tab.
- R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Immobilization/bracing
- Corticosteroid injections
- Physical therapy
- Internal Brace Procedures
Foot Fracture
One or more breaks in one of the 26 bones of the foot, located in one of its three regions: the forefoot, which contains the metatarsals and phalanges (toes); the hindfoot, which contains the bones of the heel; and the midfoot between the two. Trauma often causes a foot fracture, but repeated strain over long periods of time can also result in a break called a stress fracture. Treatment varies depending on the location, type, and severity of fracture, but can range from immobilization with a cast to surgery to properly align the broken bones.
Symptoms: Pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising, stiffness, difficulty walking or bearing weight, deformity.
Treatment Options: For further information, please select the Treatments tab.
- R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
- Physical therapy
- Bracing/immobilization
- Fracture repair surgery
Ankle Fracture
One or more breaks in one of the three bones of the ankle: the tibia and fibula, which are the two bones in the lower leg, and the talus, which sits between the heel and the tibia and fibula. Trauma often causes an ankle fracture, but repeated strain over long periods of time can also result in a break called a stress fracture. Damage to the surrounding ligaments often occurs when an ankle is broken. Treatment varies depending on the location and type of fracture, but can range from immobilization with a cast to surgery to properly align the broken bones.
Symptoms: Pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising, stiffness, difficulty walking or bearing weight, deformity.
Treatment Options: For further information, please select the Treatments tab.
- R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
- Physical therapy
- Bracing/immobilization
- Fracture repair surgery
Achilles Tendon Injuries
The largest and strongest tendon in the body, the Achilles tendon is a band of tissue that connects the two main calf muscles to the heel bone. Common injuries include tendinitis (inflammation), tendinosis (degeneration) and rupture. Tendinitis and rupture can occur from overuse of the tendon during work or athletic activities or an injury to the lower leg or ankle. Tendinosis is chronic and degenerative, caused by continuous stress that breaks down tissue within the tendon.
Symptoms: Pain, tenderness, swelling, stiffness, and in the case of a rupture, a popping or snapping sound at the time of injury.
Treatment Options: For further information, please select the Treatments tab.
- R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Bracing/immobilization
- Orthotics
- Corticosteroid injections
- Physical therapy
- Internal Brace Procedures
Inflammatory Arthritis
An attack on the shoulder’s healthy tissues by the body’s overactive immune system, including diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Symptoms: Joint pain, swelling, redness, stiffness, and loss of function. Flare-ups of inflammatory arthritis can also be accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and fatigue.
Treatment Options: For further information, please select the Treatments tab.
- Rest
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Total ankle replacement surgery
Osteoarthritis
The breakdown of the cartilage that coats the ends of bones and joints. Normally, damaged cartilage repairs itself as older cartilage is degraded. When this degradation outpaces repair, cartilage breakdown occurs and damage to bone results.
Symptoms: Pain, tenderness, stiffness, decreased flexibility, a grating sensation during movement, the formation of bone spurs around the affected joint.
Treatment Options: For further information, please select the Treatments tab.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Injections
- Physical therapy
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Total ankle replacement surgery
- BioCartilage Procedures
Diabetic Foot
Diabetes-related foot conditions like non-healing wounds, gangrenous dead tissue and Charcot neuroarthropathy, which is the degeneration of the bones in the foot due to nerve damage. Preventive measures such as regular foot inspection and care help patients avoid the development of infections, ulcers, and other diabetic foot conditions. Left untreated, these conditions can ultimately require amputation. Careful monitoring and early intervention are key in managing symptoms to avoid serious complications.
Symptoms: Swelling, redness, blisters without pain, numbness or tingling, discoloration, deformity, stains on socks. In cases of infection, patients may develop fever, chills, shaking, and uncontrollable blood sugar.
Treatment Options: Treatments vary depending on each patient’s symptoms. Preventive care of the foot is recommended as a primary means of managing diabetic foot.
Flatfoot Deformities
The flattening of the arch of the foot, with a variety of causes in adults, such as arthritis, diabetes, injury, and damage to the tendon that connects the calf to the bones on the inside of the foot. In children, flatfoot deformities are often outgrown, even without treatment. In many adults, nonsurgical treatments such as modified shoes and orthotics can relieve symptoms.
Symptoms: Pain, swelling on the inner part of the ankle, difficulty with shoe wear, weakness, poor balance, and instability.
Treatment Options: For further information, please select the Treatments tab.
- Bracing
- Orthotics
- Physical therapy
- Surgical reconstruction
Plantar Fasciitis
Inflammation of the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. Persistent tension from activities like long distance running or work that requires standing all day, can stretch and tear this tissue, causing inflammation near the heel. Complications with the knees, hip, or back are common due to changes your walking motion to avoid pain, stressing other joints. In some severe cases, surgery to release the tension on the plantar fascia is recommended.
Symptoms: Pain on the bottom of the boot near the heel, especially after periods of long inactivity or exercise.
Treatment Options: For further information, please select the Treatments tab.
- R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Orthotics
- Corticosteroid injections
- Physical therapy
- Surgery
Bunion and Hammertoe Deformities
Bunion and hammertoe deformities are very common forefoot deformities causing pain and limitation of function. Bunions are swollen bumps at the base of the big toe caused by enlargement of the underlying bone or tissue, usually the result of tight shoes, the way you walk, or the shape of your foot. Hammertoe is a progressive condition in which one or more of the toe joints, except for the big toe joints, bend abnormally, eventually becoming rigid and difficult to flex, resulting in the development of corns and calluses.
Symptoms: Pain and discomfort, difficulty walking, corns and calluses.
Treatment Options: For further information, please select the Treatments tab.
- Orthotics
- Physical therapy
- Reconstructive surgery
