Achilles tendinitis is an overuse injury of the Achilles tendon, the band of tissue that connects calf muscles at the back of the lower leg to your heel bone. Achilles tendinitis most commonly occurs in runners who have suddenly increased the intensity or duration of their runs. It’s also common in middle-aged people who play sports only on the weekends. The pain associated with Achilles tendinitis typically begins as a mild ache in the back of the leg or above the heel after running or other sports activity.

Ankle pain is often due to an ankle sprain but can also be caused by ankle instability, arthritis, gout, tendonitis, fracture, nerve compression (tarsal tunnel syndrome), infection and poor structural alignment of the leg or foot. Ankle pain can be associated with swelling, stiffness, redness and warmth in the involved area.

Ankle Sprains are a very common injury that can happen to anyone.  Your ankles support your entire body weight and are vulnerable to instability.  Walking on an uneven surface or wearing the wrong shoes can cause a sudden loss of balance that makes the ankle twist. It’s common that an ankle sprain is referred to as a twisted ankle, rolled ankle, and even a floppy ankle. If the ankle turns far enough, the ligaments that hold the bones together can overstretch or tear, resulting in a sprain.  A major sprain or several minor sprains can lead to permanent ankle instability.

Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints. Your feet contain almost a quarter of all the bones in your body. That is a lot of bones where arthritis can strike. Arthritis can not only limit your activity but is also painful. Arthritis is identified by the swelling, stiffening, or limited range of motion at your joints. When it occurs in your feet or ankles, it can make walking or performing basic daily tasks difficult.
The most common types of arthritis in the feet are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that occurs with age, in which the cartilage between the foot and ankle joints wears away, causing the bones to rub together.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory type of arthritis. It’s caused by an autoimmune reaction in which the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joints, resulting in swelling and pain.
Gout is another type of arthritis that usually affects the joint at the base of the big toe. Symptoms tend to occur suddenly, often at night. Gout can cause intense big toe joint pain, redness, and swelling.

A bunion is often described as a bump on the side of the big toe. But a bunion is more than that. Bunions are a deformity in the foot where the joints in the big toe are misaligned. The big toe points toward the second toe, rather than pointing straight ahead. The joints can become sore and swollen. They usually develop when you wear shoes that are too tight or small in the toe area. Bunions in the feet are more common in women who wear high heels. They are often painful and can inhibit your ability to perform everyday tasks. Allowed to progress, the condition will develop to the point of a partial dislocation.

Calcaneal fractures occur on the calcaneus or heel bone, a large bone that forms the foundation of the rear part of the foot. Most calcaneal fractures are the result of a traumatic event—most commonly, falling from a height, such as a ladder, or being in an automobile accident where the heel is crushed under the weight of the body. When this occurs, the heel can widen, shorten, and become deformed. Treatment often involves surgery to reconstruct the normal anatomy of the heel and restore mobility so that patients can return to normal activity.

Foot problems are a common complication of Diabetes. Diabetes-related foot problems are most frequently caused by nerve damage and poor blood circulation. Infections, ulcers or sores, deformities, and trauma can all be the result. Foot problems are the leading reason for diabetes-related hospitalization. Further, diabetes is the leading cause of lower leg and foot amputation. Diabetic foot care is essential as diabetes can be dangerous to your feet—even a small cut can produce serious consequences.

A condition in which the entire sole of the foot touches the floor when standing. Flatfeet can occur during childhood if the arches of the feet don’t develop, after an injury, or from the wear and tear of aging. Flatfoot is often a complex disorder, with diverse symptoms and varying degrees of deformity and disability. There are several types of flatfoot, all of which have one characteristic in common: partial or total collapse (loss) of the arch. You may first notice pain, redness, and swelling along the inside of your ankle and foot.  As the arch in your foot flattens, you may experience pain in your outer and midfoot, weakness, and the inability to stand on your toes. Symptoms are usually progressive, meaning they get worse over time.

Orthotics are inserts that are put inside the shoes. Custom orthotics are medical devices prescribed by a foot and ankle surgeon. They can be helpful in correcting certain foot conditions that may include abnormal foot structure and flat feet. Additionally, they can be beneficial in providing the necessary stability. Orthotics provide relief and comfort for minor foot, heel, and ankle pain.

Stress fractures are tiny hairline breaks in the bone. High impact, overuse, or improper form during sports or movements cause stress fractures.  Stress fractures occur from repeated stress to the healthy bones.  Because of the repetitive stress, the bones are not able to repair themselves.  In some cases, the bones may be already weakened by disease, such as osteoporosis, and be vulnerable to fracturing. Pain, swelling, redness and bruising can be signs of a stress fracture.

Hallux rigidus or limitus means “stiff big toe” — the main symptom of the disorder. Hallux rigidus is a type of degenerative arthritis, a common type of arthritis. It’s sometimes called “big toe arthritis. Hallux Rigidus Treatment Options include Nonsurgical management as the first line treatment for this condition in form of pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medicines, ice or heat packs, or even injections into the joint to reduce pain and stiffness. Failed nonoperative treatment invites surgery.

Your heels bear tons of pressure each day when you stand and walk. Heel helps to bear and distribute your body weight across your foot when you stand or walk.  It’s no wonder that heel pain is a common complaint. Heel pain may develop gradually or occur suddenly.  It may be accompanied by redness, thickened skin, or swelling. Heel pain occurs for a variety of reasons, from wearing the wrong type of shoes to abnormal growths or tendon problems. Because there are several potential causes, it is important to have heel pain properly diagnosed. A foot and ankle surgeon is able to distinguish between all the possibilities and to determine the underlying source of your heel pain.

Your foot has a very high arch. The high-arched foot places an excessive amount of weight on the ball and heel of the foot when walking or standing. It is often caused by a neurologic disorder or other medical condition. It can lead to a variety of signs and symptoms, such as pain and instability especially when walking or standing for long periods of time.

A Lisfranc fracture occurs in the bones of the midfoot. The fracture results from dropping something heavy on the foot or twisting the foot during sports or an accident. A Lisfranc injury is often mistaken for a simple sprain. However, injury to the Lisfranc joint is not a simple sprain. It is a severe injury that may take many months to heal and may require surgery to treat.

A neuroma is a thickening or enlargement of nerve tissue that can lead to tingling, burning, numbness, pain and other discomfort. The most common neuroma in the foot is called a Morton’s neuroma and develops between the third and fourth toes. However, neuroma’s can develop in other places on the foot as well. Irritation to the nerve can result from improper shoes (too narrow, high heels), injury, or a mechanical abnormality of the foot. Compression and irritation to the nerve cause the thickening, or enlargement of the nerve, and can lead to permanent nerve damage if left untreated.

Neuropathy, also referred to as neuralgia or neuritis, is a type of pain that involves the nerves.  Neuropathy results from nerve degeneration, pressure, inflammation, or infection. Symptoms include sharp, shooting, burning pain and hypersensitivity. Other symptoms of nerve malfunction include tingling, numbness, intense itching, and weakness. There are many causes of nerve damage, and a primary cause is diabetes (diabetic neuropathy).

Toe walking, a condition in which a person walks on the toes or ball of the foot, is most often seen in young children learning to walk. A child who does not outgrow toe walking in early childhood should be evaluated by a foot and ankle surgeon. Toe walking may be habitual or it can be caused by a shortened Achilles tendon often associated with a neurological or muscular disorder.

Sever’s Disease is a type of bone injury that occurs when the growth plate located in the back of the heel becomes inflamed. This type of foot pain can be common in children, especially in ages 8-14, because the bone is still forming and is at higher risk of becoming strained or inflamed during strenuous exercise or activity.

A wart is a small growth on the skin that develops when the skin is infected by a virus. Warts can develop anywhere on the foot, but they typically appear on the bottom of the foot. They are contagious and can be spread from person to person. They commonly develop on the heels or balls of the foot and are painful when you stand or walk. Warts most commonly occur in children, adolescents and the elderly.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a condition caused by repeated pressure that results in damage to the specific nerve of the foot. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs in the wrist. Symptoms may include burning pain at the sole of the foot that’s worse when standing or during activity. Other symptoms include numbness or tingling at the base of the foot.