Find relief for all your foot
and ankle problems
- Ankle issues (e.g.,ankle pain, ankle instability, weak ankles, and swollen ankles)
- Achilles tendon disorders and ruptures – Located behind your ankle, the Achilles tendon can often be injured in sports and other activities. Also, people who have flat arches can experience Achilles tendon disorders. Your podiatrist will prescribe treatment after accessing the tendon’s condition and range of motion.
- Arch pain and issues (e.g., high-arched foot, fallen arches, and flatfoot)
- Arthritis of the foot and ankle (e.g., osteoarthritis, arthritic big toe, rheumatoid arthritis, and hallux rigidus)
- Bunions – If you’re experiencing pain or soreness, inflammation, a burning sensation, or numbness in your big toe or fifth metatarsal, you may have a bunion or tailor’s bunion. Your podiatrist will work with you to determine a treatment plan that can relieve the pain and suit your needs.
- Calf pain – Calf pain can be caused by injuries, poor blood flow, blood clots, and over-activity. Your podiatrist will determine if your pain is the sign of a serious health problem that requires immediate treatment.
- Calluses – Caused by pressure and repeated rubbing, calluses can become painful. Your podiatrist can identify the cause of the callus and recommend an appropriate treatment to remove and help prevent the return of the callus.
- Diabetic foot and ankle issues (e.g., arthritic foot, complications and amputation prevention, and peripheral neuropathy)
- Foot and ankle injuries (e.g., peroneal tendon injuries, Lisfranc injuries, and sesamoid injuries)
- Fractures (e.g., feet, toes, ankles, heel bone, fifth metatarsal, and stress fractures)
- Gout – Usually affecting the big toe, gout is caused by the build up of uric acid in the joints. Intense pain is usually associated with a gout attack. Your podiatrist will help you reduce the likelihood of repeat attacks through medication, dietary restrictions, and other treatments.
- Hammertoes – A hammertoe is the bending of the joints in your second, third, fourth, or fifth toe. Improperly fitting shoes can aggravate hammertoes, which are often caused by muscle and tendon imbalances. Orthotics, medications, injection therapy, and splinting are some of the non-surgical treatments available for hammertoes. However, in severe cases, surgery may be recommended.
- Heel pain – Heel pain can be caused by a number of issues; therefore, properly identifying the source of the pain is the first step in prescribing treatment. Your podiatrist will work with you to determine an appropriate treatment regimen that could include a number of approaches – from injection therapy to orthotics to surgery in the most severe cases.
- Joint pain and swelling – A number of things can cause joint pain and swelling. Your podiatrist can determine the cause and recommend an appropriate treatment, which may include orthotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, or other solutions.
- Neurological conditions (e.g., intermetatarsal neuroma, restless legs, tingly feet, and tarsal tunnel syndrome)
- Painful flatfoot (e.g., adult-acquired flatfoot, accessory navicular syndrome, equinus, and tarsal coalition)
- Pediatric foot and ankle issues (e.g., clubfoot, flatfoot, and intoeing)
- Shin splints – Pain and swelling in the front of your lower legs may be caused by repetitive activities like running or walking, as well as improper shoes and flatfeet. Your podiatrist can treat your condition, recommend proper shoes, and determine if you need orthotics.
- Skin issues (e.g., athlete’s foot, corns, rashes, eczema, dermatitis, melanoma, and cracked heels)
- Tired feet – Muscle fatigue in the foot can be caused by abnormal foot structure, obesity, pregnancy, improper footwear, increased activity, and injury compensation. By identifying the cause of the fatigue, your podiatrist can help you eliminate the tiredness in your feet.
- Toenail issues (e.g., nail fungus, black toenails, ingrown toenails, white toenails, yellow toenails, and thick toenails) – Proper care from a podiatrist can improve the health of toenails and identify the cause of problems.
- Varicose veins – When valves within the veins function improperly, swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet may occur. Compression stockings and other treatments are usually recommended.
- Warts – Warts most often occur on the bottom of feet – on the plantar side – and are caused by contact with the human papiloma virus. Your podiatrist may use topical or oral treatments, cyrotherapy, acid treatments, or surgery to completely remove the wart.
Additional information on these and other conditions can be found at www.foothealthfacts.org. Foot Health Facts also provides information on these conditions in Spanish.
