Foot and Ankle
When the foot or ankle is injured, highly specialized treatment is important for proper healing without complications. Since your foot and ankle bear the weight of the entire body and allow you to walk, run, and stand, your foot and ankle are prone to injury and pain.
Foot Conditions
Since our feet take on a great deal of stress during our normal, daily activities, it is extremely important to take good care of them.
Some of the most common foot conditions that cause pain or discomfort include:
- Bunions
- Diabetic Foot
- Flat Feet
- Plantar Fasciitis
Bunions
Bunions are deformities that occur at the joint at the base of the big toe. The first long bone in the foot, called the first metatarsal, shifts outward at the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, creating a protruding bump on the side of the foot and causing the big toe to shift toward the second toe.
The visible bump actually reflects changes in the bony framework of the front part of the foot. The big toe leans toward the second toe, rather than pointing straight ahead. This throws the bones out of alignment, producing the bunion’s bump. Learn More
Diabetic Foot
Diabetes affects all body systems. In the feet, it can limit your blood flow, decrease your nerve sensation, and cause delayed healing to cuts and blisters, resulting in foot wounds. Commonly, patients end up with these wounds as a result of attempting to trim their own toenails and calluses.
If these patients lose feeling in the feet, coupled with poor circulation, it can lead to very serious infections. It is, therefore, important for diabetics to have regular diabetic foot care to prevent foot problems associated with diabetes.
Flat Feet
Having flat feet, a condition referred to as pes planus or fallen arches, is rarely serious, but can cause pain when you do extensive physical activity. If you have flat feet, your feet don’t have a normal arch when you are standing.
Flatfoot can be a complex disorder with diverse symptoms and varying degrees of deformity and disability. There are several types of flatfoot, all of which have one characteristic in common: partial or total collapse (loss) of the arch.
Plantar Fasciitis
When plantar fasciitis occurs, the plantar fascia first becomes irritated and then inflamed, resulting in heel pain. Heel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, a condition that is sometimes also called heel spur syndrome when a spur is present. Generally, our feet can take on a lot of stress as we move around throughout the day, but overuse can cause inflammation, or the plantar fascia may tear where it attaches to the heel. The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that runs from the tip of the big toe all the way to the heel. It supports the arch of the foot and absorbs most of the stresses we place on our feet. Learn More
Ankle Conditions
Ankle pain or discomfort in your ankles is usually caused by an injury like a sprain or by a medical condition, like arthritis.
Some of the most common ankle conditions that cause pain or discomfort include:
- Ankle Arthritis
- Ankle Tendinitis
- Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Ankle Fracture
- Ankle Sprains
Ankle Arthritis
Ankle arthritis is a degenerative condition also known as osteoarthritis. It can cause pain, stiffness, and disability of the ankles. The protective cartilage in the ankle begins to wear away over time, eventually causing the bones in the ankle to rub against each other. Ankle arthritis can be just as disabling as hip arthritis, but it is not as well-known as other types of arthritis.
Ankle arthritis tends to affect a younger population because it often develops after an ankle injury like a fracture. Conditions like flat feet and even repetitive ankle sprains can also lead to degeneration of the ankle joints over time. Learn More
Achilles Tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis is a very common injury of the lower extremities and is most common among athletic patients, particularly runners.
The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel and is the largest tendon in the body. We use our Achilles tendons during many activities, like walking, running, climbing stairs, and jumping. Achilles tendons can take on a great deal of stress, but they are also susceptible to inflammation. This inflammation is known as Achilles tendinitis.
Contact Us
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your foot or ankle, contact Summit Orthopaedics at (503) 850-9940 to schedule an appointment with one of our foot surgeons.
Our foot surgeons specialize in foot and ankle conditions and are experts in their field in both surgical and non-surgical interventions. They provide thorough and accurate diagnoses and recommend the best treatment for your condition to assure maximal recovery.
