Common foot and ankle problems
Foot and ankle arthritis
The ends of all the bones in your feet and ankles are covered with a thin layer of cartilage that helps the bones glide smoothly when you walk, stand, and run. Arthritis causes inflammation within the joints and the deterioration of the cartilage within the foot and ankle joint.
As the cartilage deteriorates, the foot and ankle bones may begin to rub together, leading to pain, inflammation, and stiffness. Foot and ankle arthritis can result from the aging process, repeated injuries to the foot or ankle, or genetic factors.
Ankle sprain
Ankle sprains are one of the most common orthopedic injuries. When you abnormally turn your ankle, it stretches the ligaments that connect your bones. When your ligaments overstretch or tear, you sprain your ankle. This most often occurs during sports but can also result from something as simple as missing a stair or a fall.
Ankle fracture
An ankle fracture, more commonly referred to as a broken ankle, is a fracture of one or more bones that make up the ankle joint. Ankle fractures often occur during falls or automobile accidents. Your risk of breaking an ankle increases if you participate in high-impact sports, suddenly increase your activity levels, or have osteoporosis.
Achilles Tendonitis
Your Achilles tendon is a strong band of tissue that connects your calf muscle to the back of the leg on the heel bone. The Achilles tendon can be damaged or injured in both acute injuries and by repetitive strain. The severity of the injury can vary and range from inflammation to a tear in the ligament.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition caused by inflammation of the thick band of tissue at the bottom of the foot, known as the plantar fascia. Plantar fasciitis often results from overuse and is especially common in athletes due to repetitive strains to the tissue.
Over time, the fascia becomes inflamed due to repeat tearing and stretching. Other risk factors for plantar fasciitis include having a high arch in the foot, obesity, and tight calf muscles.
Bunions
Bunions, also known as Hallux Valgus deformity, develop when your big toe leans toward the other toes, pushing the joint between your toe and the rest of the foot outward. The abnormal pressure on the joint eventually leads to bone spur development.
A bony bump forms on the joint, causing pain that becomes more severe when you walk or put weight on your foot. Bunions may be caused by repetitive actions, arthritis, and poorly fitting shoes.
Hammertoes and claw toes
Hammertoes and claw toes form when a tight ligament pulls a toe into a curled position that resembles a hammer or a claw. As the condition progresses, your toes can curl over their neighbors, interfering with the way your foot moves when you walk.
The difference between hammertoes and claw toes is the affected joints. Hammertoes form on the middle joint in your toe, while claw toes usually affect the first two joints, and in some cases, all three.
Wounds
People with diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and neuropathy have an increased risk of wounds or ulcers forming on their feet or ankles. The combination of nerve damage and decreased blood flow can lead to small, minor injuries like blisters turning into more severe wounds or ulcers.
When untreated, these wounds can become infected, leading to tissue death and potentially amputation.
Morton’s neuroma
A Morton’s neuroma is a benign growth that forms around the nerves in your foot. The ligaments between the metatarsal bones in your foot thicken, usually between your third and fourth toes, although they can form in other parts of your foot.
The thickened tissue presses on the nerves that pass through the ball of the foot. The compression irritates your nerve, which eventually leads to nerve damage.
