Covering all the common injuries and pain our feet and ankles experience over a lifetime.
Sprains, Strains, Fractures, and Pain
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis occurs when there is damage and inflammation to the Achilles tendon, a thick strap-like tendon found behind the ankle and heel. The Achilles tendon is a combination of the tendons of muscles in the calf called the gastrocnemius and the soleus. These muscles act to flex the foot downward, which resists the force…
Peroneal Tendonitis
Peroneal tendonitis is a common foot injury with pain on either the outer side of the ankle or the outer side of the foot. The peroneal tendons are two in number, and run together under the outside of the ankle joint, where they stay together for a couple inches until they reach the middle part…
Posterior Tibial Tendonitis
Posterior tibial tendonitis and tendon dysfunction are related inflammatory and degenerative conditions that involve an important tendon that runs under the inner side of the ankle and attaches further down into the inner side of the foot. This tendon and its attached muscle curl the foot inward and resists the foot’s tendency to flatten out,…
Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains are simple injuries that can cause amazingly complex damage. The ankle joint itself has an up and down motion. There are ligaments (strong rubbery bands of tissue) on either side of the ankle, holding it in place. These ligaments resist the ankle’s ability to roll inward or outward. The foot can roll inward…
Metatarsal Fractures
Metatarsal fractures are common foot injuries that are painful, and often under treated by emergency rooms that initially diagnose them. The metatarsals are the long bones of the foot that extend from the middle of the foot to the toe bases. There are five of them, corresponding with the five toes. The most common fractures…
Metatarsal Stress Fractures
Metatarsal stress fractures are a common foot injury that can be quite a nuisance to heal. The metatarsals are the five long bones in the foot that form a bridge between the toes and the middle of the foot. These roughly drumstick-shaped bones are fairly sturdy, but can be fractured during twisting injuries, or something…
Toe Fractures
Toe fractures are common due to the force often applied to the small toe bones when one stubs their toes or drops a heavy object on them. Sometimes this force can simply result in a bruising or strain of the toe tissue. At other times the injury is strong enough to break the bone. Fractures…
Ankle Fractures
Ankle fractures are common injuries, but their severity compared with other foot and lower leg fractures makes them somewhat unique. The ankle is where the body translates motion of the leg onto the ground by connecting a vertical leg with the horizontal foot. There are three bones that make up the ankle joint. The top…
Neuroma
One of the most common types of foot pain occurs in the ball of the foot under the bases of the toes. This pain is often felt as a hard lump under the foot that can be sharp, stinging, or burning in nature. The pain worsens when a tighter shoe is worn, and feels better…
Sesamoiditis
Sesamoiditis is inflammation of one of two small, egg-shaped bones about the size of a peanut M&M candy sitting under the big toe joint. The sesamoids are found in every foot, and can appear as complete bones, or can form after birth in two or three separate pieces. They provide an assisting role in bearing…
