Foot & Ankle

COMMON CONDITIONS:

Ankle Sprains
Achilles Tendon Injury
Ankle Instability
Bunion
Ganglion
Hammer Toe/Claw Toe
Stress Fracture

• Ankle sprains Sprained ankles are one of the most common injuries in sports. Because the inner ankle is more stable than the outer ankle, the foot is likely to turn inward (ankle inversion) from a fall, tackle, or jump. This stretches or tears ligaments, resulting in an ankle sprain.

• Achilles tendon injury The Achilles tendon connects muscles in the lower leg with the heel bone. Sports that tighten the calf muscles, such as basketball and running, can overstress the tendon and cause a strain or a rupture. A direct blow to the foot, ankle or calf can also cause it.
• Ankle Instability Chronic ankle instability is a condition characterized by a recurring “giving way” of the outer side of the ankle. This condition often develops after repeated ankle sprains. Usually the “giving way” occurs while walking or doing other activities, but it can also happen when you’re just standing. Many athletes, as well as others, suffer from chronic ankle instability.
• Bunion With a bunion, the base of the big toe gets larger and sticks out. The skin over it may be red and tender, and wearing any type of shoe may be painful. In some cases, the big toe may angle toward the second toe, or even move all the way under it. The skin on the bottom of the foot may also become thicker and painful.

• Ganglion Ganglion cysts are among the most common benign soft-tissue masses. Although they most often occur on the wrist, they also frequently develop on the foot, usually on the top, but elsewhere as well. Ganglion cysts vary in size; may get smaller and larger over time and may even disappear, only to possibly return later.
• Hammer Toe/Claw Toe A hammer toe is a deformity of the second, third or fourth toes. In this condition, the toe is bent at the middle joint, so that it resembles a hammer. Initially, hammer toes are flexible and can be corrected with simple measures but, if left untreated, they can become fixed and require surgery. Claw toe is often the result of nerve damage caused by diseases such as diabetes, which can weaken the foot muscles. Having claw toe means the toes "claw," digging down into the soles of the shoes and creating painful calluses. Claw toe gets worse without treatment and may become a permanent deformity over time.

• Stress Fractures A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone which can develop from overuse, such as from high-impact sports like distance running or basketball. When muscles are overtired, they are no longer able to absorb the shock of repeated impacts. When this happens, the muscles transfer the stress to the bones, creating a small crack or fracture. Most stress fractures occur in the weight-bearing bones of the foot and lower leg. The most common sites are the second and third metatarsals of the foot.