Understanding the Foot & Ankle

Common Foot & Ankle Injuries

Fracture

Fractures can occur in the ankle or to the bones in the feet. Fractures in the foot or ankle may cause difficulty in weight bearing and walking. If the bone has moved from its original position, surgery may be needed.

Symptoms of fracture in the foot or ankle include pain, tenderness, swelling, deformity at the area of the break and not being able to walk on the injured foot. For cases where the broken bones are not out of place and a stress x-ray confirms that the injury area is stable, treatment usually needs cast support to limit movement until the bone fragments heal, which can take up to several months. Surgery may be needed if the foot or ankle is unstable or if the fracture is out of place. Consult a doctor to understand the treatment options available.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition where swelling occurs in one or more joints. In the foot and ankle, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are common. Osteoarthritis is where the protective cushion between the joints (cartilage) can wear out due to ageing or wear and tear. Genetic factors, joint instability, and injury may also contribute to osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease whereby the immune system attacks its own healthy tissues. Immune cells attack the synovium covering the joint, causing swelling. Over time, the swollen synovium invades and damages the surrounding bone, cartilage, ligaments and tendons, possibly causing severe joint deformity and losing the ability to walk. Swollen, inflamed synovium and joint deformity are common signs for rheumatoid arthritis.

In general, symptoms of arthritis in the foot and ankle area include pain, stiffness, limited movement, swelling, and difficulty walking.

Signs & Symptoms

Achilles tendonitis may be accompanied with:

– Pain at the back of the heel area that worsens with movement
– Stiffness along the Achilles tendon
– Thickening of the tendon leading to a protrusion at heel area

Consult a doctor if you suspect a problem with your Achilles tendon, be it tendonitis or a tear or a rupture.

Diagnosis

Your doctor may check your medical history and perform a physical examination. The following diagnostic tests may be used to further assess the injury:

– X-ray
– Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Treatment

Your doctor may also prescribe a cortisone injection to help ease the pain. You may be advised to have surgery if symptoms persist. The type of surgery will depend on the severity of the injury and the location of the tendonitis. Consult your doctor to understand the treatment options available.

Signs & Symptoms

Apart from a visible bump at the big toe joint area coupled with the deformity of the big toe leaning towards the second toe, common symptoms include:

– Swelling and redness
– Pain
– Tenderness at the joint area
– Stiffness in the big toe
– Callus on the bump

Diagnosis

Your doctor may check your medical history and perform a physical examination. An x-ray may be prescribed to further assess the condition.

Treatment

In most cases, a change to footwear that fits properly and does not compress the toes can help to ease and manage the pain. The doctor may also prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDS) or corticosteroids to help ease the pain and reduce swelling. If symptoms persist, surgery may be advised. The goal of the surgery is to realign the bone and soft tissues to restore the big toe to a normal position. Speak to a doctor to understand the treatment options available.

Signs & Symptoms

The condition typically starts with gradual, mild pain felt at the heel bone. Other common symptoms include:

– Pain right after getting out of bed in the morning, after a long period of rest, or after exercise
– Pain at the bottom of the foot, near the heel area

Diagnosis

Your doctor may check your medical history and perform a physical examination. The following diagnostic tests may be used to determine that the heel pain is caused by plantar fasciitis:

– X-ray
– Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Treatment

Your doctor may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDS) or corticosteroids to help reduce swelling and pain. You may be advised to have surgery if symptoms persist. Consult your doctor to understand the treatment options available.

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