Foot and ankle pain is an incredibly common experience. With 26 bones and 33 joints, chances are that you'll develop some kind of issue during your life. That being said, not all foot pain is created equal! There are some injuries that are much more prevalent than others, which is why it's important to be aware of the broad spectrum that exists.
At Jefferson Orthopedic Clinic, we've seen ankle and foot injuries in their many forms, and have expertise in the most modern and comprehensive treatment options. The board-certified orthopedic surgeons at our clinic are some of the best that New Orleans has to offer, and are sure to be with you throughout your foot and ankle injuries every step of the way!
Without further ado, it's time to go over the most common causes of foot and ankle pain, and what the next steps you should take for healing your ailment are.
1: Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. This injury occurs as a result of repetitive strain on the plantar fascia, which is the ligament that connects your heel bone to your toes. This overuse causes severe pain, especially after participating in physical activity.
It can also, unfortunately, lead to even worse issues. For instance, when left alone without room for recovery, the risk of calcium growth in your heel bone is an unfortunate possibility. This, of course, would lead to even more discomfort than a case of plantar fasciitis that was immediately treated.
Plantar fasciitis can be addressed through a combination of rest and ice therapy. In instances where the issue does not improve on its own, your physical therapist might recommend the implementation of heel pads or other methods to speed up your recovery process.
2: Tibialis Posterior Dysfunction
This condition impacts the tendon connecting the inside of the calf to the arch of the foot. This tendon then experiences swelling and pain, often alongside a feeling of general weakness in your heel.
When you're active, this condition can worsen. It can also make doing things like wearing shoes with high heels difficult, or any other activity requiring you to rise onto your tiptoes.
It's highly important to seek treatment for this injury, as it will only worsen if left alone. The inflammation can cause the tendon to become over-stretched, and it might eventually cause the arch of the afflicted foot (or feet) to collapse.
3: Stress Fractures
Foot and ankle fractures are incredibly common, especially for those who participate in sports or other high-impact activities. Stress fractures are small cracks in the bone that form after a high amount of pressure has been placed upon it for extended periods of time. This, of course, involves quite a lot of foot pain.
Some of the common symptoms to look out for are ankle swelling, especially severe tenderness, and pain that worsens with increased activity. In terms of treatment, you should expect to be out of commission for physical activities for a while. It's likely that, alongside proper rest, you'll need to wear a walking boot while you recover.
4: Ankle Sprain
Ankle sprains are incredibly common in the realm of foot problems. A sprain is caused when the ligament that connects bones becomes injured through some kind of accident. The reason why having a sprained ankle or fit is so particularly common is because they are a vulnerable area on your body. They spend all of their time supporting your weight, and don't experience many breaks throughout the day.
It's important to see a medical professional if you believe that you have a sprain. This is because the severity of a sprained ankle varies on a case-by-case basis. There are some sprains that cause mild discomfort, while there are others that impede your ability to walk properly. The severity of this injury also impacts your recovery time, which can be anywhere from a few days to multiple months.
5: Achilles Tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis is the inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the bone of the heel. This injury is commonly seen in athletes, as they participate in a lot of heavy physical activity. Running and jumping in excess is one of the ways in which you can further irritate the tendon.
Treatment for Achilles tendinitis includes the general advice of resting the affected area, and the possibility of physical therapy treatments. You might also be prescribed anti-inflammatory medication during the treatment process.
6: High or Low Arches
The arch of your foot plays a very significant role in your ability to move. That's because the arch supports your bodyweight in the most substantial way, distributing the pressure throughout your foot evenly. If you have an arch shape that is too high or low, issues are likely to ensue.
Treatment for abnormal arches often involves the use of orthotics, custom-made shoe inserts designed to support the shape of your foot, align the ankle, and improve foot function.
Particularly in the case of high or low arches, these devices distribute weight evenly across your feet, reducing pressure on the arches.
Here are the differences between low and high arches, and the specific issues that arise from them.
Low Arches
Having a low arch can cause you to lean onto your ankle, or force your heel to spread outwards. This can mean that your weight and its pressure are unnaturally distributed. If you have flat feet, though, you're less likely to have any problems.
There is also a condition called valgus heel, which is when the ankle leans inward and causes the heel to drift outward. This is a condition that is frequently linked to low arches.
High Arches
The inverse of low arches, people with high arches walk on the outer edge of their feet. Their arches push both their feet and their ankles outward. This, in turn, puts immense pressure in the wrong places. Your ankle, heel, and the ball of your foot can be affected by this issue.
7: Bursitis
In your feet, there are small fluid filled sacs known as bursae. When one or more of these become swollen and inflamed, it can cause bursitis. This condition causes pain around the most hard-working joints in your feet. These include your ankle, your heel, and your big toe! In fact, Bursitis is something that could impact any part of your body.
There are several causes of this condition. You could get it from wearing tight shoes or high heels that pinch and rub the area in an uncomfortable way. When it first appears, you'll know it from the swollen and painful lump that emerges.
There are certainly ways to prevent and recover from bursitis. The typical methods of plenty of rest and ice therapy are common, but it should be noted that bandaging the area might not do too much good. Instead, add padding into your shoes (and wear proper footwear) to avoid further irritation.
8: Psoriatic Arthritis
According to the Arthritis Foundation, about 1/3rd of people who are impacted by psoriasis run the risk of developing psoriatic arthritis. This condition is autoimmune, wherein your joints and skin are attacked by your own cells. This condition impacts many parts of the body, but where does your foot or ankle come into play?
Well, this condition impacts ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Your feet have many of those, each being equally vulnerable. This will cause issues such as swelling, burning pain that feels hot, losing the ability to move and flex your toes and feet, and discoloration of the toes and toenails.
9: Gout
A form of arthritis, gout is a condition that develops when there is excess uric acid in the body. Uric acid is something that is produced by a number of things, and behaviors like eating an abundance of red meat, consuming excess or alcoholic beverages, or being obese can contribute to the likelihood of developing gout. The joints are then impacted and this condition is commonly found in both feet.
If you suspect you have gout, it is important not to ignore the injury and get it diagnosed by a doctor. It's important to determine the exact cause of your joint pain, as more severe injuries like infected joints can cause similar symptoms.
10: Broken Angle
A form of arthritis, gout is a condition that develops when there is excess uric acid in the body. Uric acid is something that is produced by a number of things, and behaviors like eating an abundance of red meat, consuming excess or alcoholic beverages, or being obese can contribute to the likelihood of developing gout. The joints are then impacted and this condition is commonly found in both feet.
If you suspect you have gout, it is important not to ignore the injury and get it diagnosed by a doctor. It's important to determine the exact cause of your joint pain, as more severe injuries like infected joints can cause similar symptoms.
Schedule An Appointment With LA's Top Orthopedist
Because of the diversity of causes for foot and ankle pain. figuring out exactly what's wrong can be a worrisome and difficult experience. At Jefferson Orthopedic Clinic, we understand the frustration that come alongside an injury, which is why we minimize that stress as much as possible. Our team of qualified foot and ankle surgeons will have you back on your feet in no time at all.
Don't wait to discover the cause of your foot or ankle injury. Instead, contact our highly skilled team of orthopedic specialists at Jefferson Ortho to request a free consultation today!
