Foot and ankle injuries
Foot and ankle injuries can happen suddenly and disrupt your daily life. You might trip and fall, sprain your ankle playing sports, or have pain from overuse. No matter the cause of your injury, seek prompt medical attention. You can rely on Montage Orthopedic and Sports Medicine for effective urgent care.
Achilles tendon problems
The Achilles tendon is the tissue band in the back of your lower leg. It connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. One common issue is Achilles tendinitis, or inflammation of the tendon. Untreated Achilles tendinitis can worsen, causing Achilles tendinosis. You may feel pain, stiffness, and tenderness in the tendon area.
Diagnosis and treatment
Your provider can diagnose Achilles tendon problems through a physical exam and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Treatment choices depend on how serious your condition is. You may need:
- Cast, walking boot, or night splints
- Icing
- Physical therapy
- Surgery if your problem is severe
Ankle instability
Your ankle may be unstable if you have frequent sprains or injuries to the lateral (outside) ankle ligament. Symptoms of ankle instability include:
- Ankle wobbling or looseness
- Feeling like your ankle gives out when you put pressure on it
- Pain or discomfort
- Sprains (rolled ankle)
- Swelling
Diagnosis and treatment
Your provider can diagnose ankle instability using X-rays or other imaging.
Depending on how bad the instability is, your treatment options may include:
- Ankle brace to offer support and limit certain motions
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Physical therapy
- Surgery if your problem is severe
Ankle sprains
If your ankle twists or turns as you walk or run, you may end up with a sprain. You may feel:
Diagnosis and treatment
Depending on the severity, your provider might make a diagnosis using physical exams, X-rays, or an MRI scan.
For a minor sprained ankle, try the RICE method:
- Rest
- Ice the area
- Compress it by placing an elastic band around the ankle
- Elevate it
More severe sprains may need a cast or boot to keep the ankle in place as it heals.
Flat feet
Flat feet mean you don't have arches inside your feet. When you stand, your entire soles touch the ground. Arches don’t always form properly in childhood. But you can also develop flat feet with age or injury.
Flat feet don’t always hurt or cause problems. In serious cases, flat feet can change how your legs align, leading to knee and ankle problems.
Diagnosis and treatment
Your provider may use imaging to check the severity of your flat feet.
You can't cure flat feet, but if they hurt, you can:
- Put arch supports in your shoes
- Switch to supportive footwear
- Do certain stretches and exercises
General foot and ankle pain
Your feet may ache because they’re under pressure when you stand, walk, or run. Most foot and ankle pain doesn't last long.
Diagnosis and treatment
If your pain isn't serious, you can try the RICE treatment method:
- Restrict activity
- Ice the area
- Compress with a bandage
- Elevate your foot
A foot massage can also help increase blood flow and reduce swelling. If your pain doesn’t go away, see a podiatrist for an exam and treatment.
Heel spurs
Heel spurs are painful calcium deposits under your heel bone. They can form when you strain foot muscles or tear the membrane covering your heel.
When you have heel spurs, you may feel pain when you walk. This can lead to swelling.
Diagnosis and treatment
Your provider may diagnose heel spurs using X-rays. For most heel spurs, treatments include:
- Stretching
- Physical therapy
- Cushioned shoe inserts
- Supportive footwear with shock absorption
Severe heel spurs may need surgery.
Plantar fasciitis
The bottom of your foot is called the plantar surface. When the tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot becomes inflamed, you have plantar fasciitis. You can develop this condition from too much walking or running in unsupportive shoes.
If you have plantar fasciitis, you may feel extreme stabbing-like pains in your heel. This pain is often worse when you wake up in the morning.
Diagnosis and treatment
Your provider can usually diagnose plantar fasciitis with a physical exam. For mild cases, treatment includes physical therapy and cushioned shoe inserts. In severe cases, you may need steroid injections or surgery.
