5 Common Foot & Ankle Conditions

There are a wide variety of conditions and injuries that can impact the foot and ankle. In this article, we are going to discuss five common foot and ankle conditions and their associated treatment options.

Hammertoes

Hammertoe is a common foot deformity that involves an abnormal bend in the middle joint of your second, third, or fourth toe. This bend causes your toe to resemble a hammer. At first, hammertoes are flexible and easy to treat with non-surgical methods. If left untreated, your toe may become stuck in that position. The only way to correct a rigid hammertoe is with surgery.

Plantar Fasciitis

There are many causes of heel pain, but plantar fasciitis is the most common. Plantar fasciitis causes stabbing pain at the bottom of the heel. Pain is usually worse first thing in the morning or after long periods of rest. The pain may fade as you walk around and stretch the plantar fascia.

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis causes pain at the back of the heel where the Achilles tendon attaches to your heel bone. Pain typically develops slowly and worsens over time. You may also notice the skin behind your heel become red, swollen, and thicker.

Ankle Instability

Repeated or untreated ankle sprains may lead to chronic ankle instability. This condition causes your ankle to become wobbly and unstable. You may experience persistent pain and notice your ankle rolling to the side repeatedly. Many athletes suffer from ankle instability.

Bone Spurs

A bone spur is a bony growth that protrudes from your heel bone. Your body may respond to an untreated soft tissue injury by growing more bone, which leads to a spur. Common causes of bone spurs on the heel include plantar fasciitis and arthritis.