Foot and Ankle Care

Ankle pain – may be caused by stress fractures, tendonitis, synovitis, ankle sprains, or foot dysfunction.

Ankle sprains/instability –  an injury to one or more ankle ligaments resulting from a sudden twist or fall that forces the ankle joint out of its normal position.

Bunions ­ –  an enlargement of the big-toe joint, a condition that typically becomes more prominent, arthritic, and painful with age and usually are worsened by abnormal foot formation (e.g., flat feet).

Flat feet and high arches – these conditions contribute to chronic foot and ankle problems and are often treated using an orthotic (custom-made shoe insert).

Hammertoes – toe contractures which often cause painful calluses or corns that tend to worsen over time.

Metatarsalgia –  a pain in the ball of the foot, commonly caused by a neuroma. This is a non-cancerous growth causing inflammation of a nerve between the toes or the ball of the foot. Torn ligaments and abnormal friction on the ball of the foot may also be a cause of forefoot pain.

Pediatric or adolescent foot pain – ongoing foot pain is not always related to “growing pain,” but is often related to mechanical, mal-alignment or strength deficits. Growth plate problems are usually outgrown.

Plantar fasciitis and heel pain  –  most commonly caused by inflammation of the ligament of the arch that attaches to the heel bone.

• Achilles tendon rupture is complete or partial tendon tear often seen in athletics.
• Peroneal tendon injuries such as tendonitis or tears are usually caused by repetitive use, overuse, or trauma.

Ankle arthroscopy – is a minimally invasive procedure of the ankle joint. Arthroscopy is a very useful surgery used to "clean up" a joint, to explore a joint for diagnostic purposes, and also can be performed to delay a more extensive ankle surgery.

Flat foot reconstruction – considered only after orthotics have failed to relieve pain and restore function. The goal is to improve foot alignment allowing for more normal pressures during standing and walking.

Hammertoe surgery – an option for straightening a contracted toe.

Lateral ankle stabilization surgery – repair or reconstruction of the damaged ligament(s) to stabilize the ankle.

Orthotics — custom-made foot supports (shoe inserts) often can alleviate pain caused by flat feet, neuroma, plantar fasciitis, or other orthopedic conditions.

Injections — various injected medication can be used for plantar fasciitis, neuromas, treating an inflamed joint, or injuries.

• Austin bunionectomy involves cutting the first metatarsal bone at the "head" and fixing the cut with a screw.
• Lapidus fusion is typically reserved for the more severe bunions and involves fusing the first metatarsal bone to the medial cuneiform bone.
• Fusion (arthrodesis) of the big-toe joint is used to treat severe osteoarthritis. An artificial joint may be an alternative.     

• Achilles tendon repair involves the reconstruction of damaged ligament(s) and sewing of torn tendon.
• Peroneal tendon repair/reconstruction reinforces the tendon sheath and deepens the bone grooves at the tip of the fibula to stabilization tendons.