Foot & Ankle
Foot & Ankle Specialists
Understanding ankle anatomy is crucial, especially for foot specialists when diagnosing pain or injury. Specifically, the main ankle joint is formed where your lower leg bones, the tibia and fibula, connect with the talus bone situated below them. Furthermore, the prominent side bumps commonly known as “ankle bones” are actually the malleoli—the ends of your tibia and fibula bones.
Just below this main ankle joint lies another key structure, namely the subtalar joint. This important joint, in turn, connects the talus bone above to the calcaneus, also commonly known as the heel bone. Consequently, foot specialists frequently manage the complex bone and joint conditions affecting both the ankle and foot regions.
View Common Conditions
Common Sources of Foot & Ankle Pain
Foot and Ankle: Providing Essential Support for Activity
Your musculoskeletal system utilizes the complex system of joints, bones, and tissues in your feet and ankles for crucial support and stability during activities like walking. Furthermore, these systems seamlessly coordinate movement and balance for daily tasks and activities, often automatically. Indeed, this coordinated action is fundamental for overall mobility and also for adapting effectively to different surfaces.
Understanding The Anatomy Of The Foot: Bones, Joints, and Tissues
The human foot itself contains numerous small bones. These include metatarsals connecting to phalanges, your toe bones. Where these bones meet, they form many joints. Some joints allow significant movement essential for flexibility. Others provide rigid support and prioritize stability. Vital soft tissues, like ligaments and cartilage, connect these bones. They reinforce joints, providing crucial support. These tissues also enable smooth gliding movements for proper foot function.
Addressing Foot & Ankle Pain: Diagnosis and Treatment by Foot Specialists
When foot or ankle pain or an injury occurs, numerous potential causes exist, primarily due to this complex anatomy. Specifically, these can range from acute trauma (like fractures) to chronic conditions (like arthritis or tendinitis). Therefore, identifying the correct cause is key for effective treatment. Fortunately, effective treatments are indeed available for most common foot and ankle conditions. For this reason, foot specialists utilize their specialized training and expertise. First, they accurately diagnose the source of your pain or dysfunction. Then, they recommend personalized treatment options, ultimately aiming to restore function and help you get back to enjoying your life.
- Outside and around the joint area, overuse or repetitive use injuries can lead to pain, like in the case of tendinitis, which refers to the inflammation of a tendon.
- Another cause of inflammation in the foot or ankle area is tarsal tunnel syndrome. Inflammation can cause a nerve to become irritated or compressed by the inflamed soft tissue. Over time, it can worsen and result in pain or sensation changes in the ankle, foot, or toes.
- Inflammation of tissue known as fascia can occur, which is often called plantar fasciitis. Bursitis is another form of inflammation that affects small, fluid-filled sacs around the joint area.
- Other conditions, like arthritis, can impact the cartilage inside of the joint, which can lead to stiffness, pain, or limitations in range of motion. For people with conditions like diabetes, changes in sensation in the foot or ankle area may occur as a condition progresses.
- The cartilage inside of the joint may also be torn or injured for other reasons, such as during a collision or sport. Collisions or falls can also result in fractures of the foot or ankle, which may require surgery to repair. Fractures can also occur over time due to repeated stresses. Other injuries can include a muscle injury (strain) or ligament injury (sprain).
Common Foot & Ankle Conditions
Common Foot & Ankle Treatments
When you’re in pain, it’s important to seek help from a healthcare professional, like your primary care physician or a physical therapist, who can help to identify the cause and work with you to explore the right treatment options.
- Physical therapy is a common treatment for those dealing with foot or ankle pain. A physical or occupational therapist will evaluate your pain and collaborate with you to put together a plan of action.
- These plans may include exercises or manual treatments, like soft tissue mobilization or the use of heat or ice, to provide pain relief. A treatment plan may also include lifestyle or home modifications, like recommendations for proper footwear, as well as education about the body and your condition.
- A physician may prescribe medications or injections, as well. These medications are often meant to reduce pain or inflammation, and they may be used in addition to other treatments, like physical therapy. In some cases, surgery may be discussed or recommended as a treatment option.
Possible Treatments for Foot & Ankle Conditions
OUR FOOT & ANKLE SPECIALISTS
The Foot and Ankle Team at Orthopedic ONE is equipped with specialized training in conditions and disorders of the foot and ankle and are ready to help you get back on your feet. With extremely high success rates in the field of orthopedic surgery, you can trust the physicians and surgeons of Orthopedic ONE foot and ankle team with your care no matter how minor or severe the issue. The foot and ankle team incorporates a comprehensive approach to prevention, treatment and management of foot and ankle disorders including options such as custom made orthotics, bracing, physical therapy and surgery when needed.
These lists are not inclusive of all conditions and procedures. In order to obtain a complete and accurate diagnosis, a physician should assess your individual situation. Following diagnosis, your physician will discuss appropriate treatment options with you – both surgical and non-surgical. Schedule an appointment with an Orthopedic ONE physician.
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