Ankle Pain
The foot and ankle are highly specialized structures that absorb the weight of the body and enable us to move. Experts estimate that the force and pressure on your feet when walking can be up to two times your body weight. This pressure can increase with more vigorous movements such as running and jumping. With so much pressure on your feet and ankles, they undergo a lot of wear and tear throughout your life and are highly susceptible to injury and trauma.
The foot and ankle are a complex system of bones, ligaments, muscles, and joints that provide the structure and stability we need to move freely. If any of these components become compromised or weakened due to injury, overuse, degenerative conditions, or sprains, it can significantly impact your foot’s ability to move and function properly.
Common Ankle and Foot Pain
Ankle pain is extremely common and can result from a myriad of causes. Podiatric doctors are trained to treat all causes of ankle pain both internal and external to the joint.
The most common causes and conditions:
– Sprained ankle: According to podiatrists, this injury is a result of excessive twisting, turning or rolling of your ankle. These motions can stretch or tear the ligaments holding together your ankle. (ligaments are strong bands of tissue that stabilize your joints.) Too much twisting or turning can damage the ligaments and cartilage of the ankle. If you have an ankle injury, over the counter medications may help with the pain but it is very important to visit a top podiatrists in Georgia to evaluate the injury.
– Bursitis: The bursae, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints between your bones. Injury to the bursa on your heel causes ankle pain. This can be very painful. But with proper treatment by a qualified foot specialist your symptoms can disappear in a few weeks. You may have bursitis if you have a swollen, achy or stiff ankle, especially if the pain gets worse when you apply pressure. It is imperative to visit a podiatrist if your pain becomes disabling, a fever ensues, or the pain lasts for more than a couple of days. The sooner you address ankle pain the easier it is to treat.
– Plantar fasciitis: This common heel pain occurs when the tissue connecting your heel and your toes (called the plantar fascia) becomes inflamed. This stabbing sensation is most commonly experienced in the morning, and then it lessens as the day progresses. The condition tends to affect people between the ages of 40–60. People who work on their feet, runners and overweight individuals who wear non-supportive shoes are most at risk. The common treatment for plantar fascia is Plantar Fasciitis Surgery
– Achilles tendinitis: The Achilles tendon’s function is to connect your heel bone to the muscles in the lower leg and trauma to this region results in Achilles tendinitis. This condition generally is associated with runners and other athletes and can take a long time to heal.
– Achilles rupture: A rupture of the Achilles almost always occurs during recreational sports and the tear can be partial or total. This kind of injury requires an immediate visit to the emergency room followed up by treatment by a foot and ankle specialist or a podiatry doctor. A severe tear of the Achilles tendon generally requires Achilles Tendon Surgery. Consult a podiatric doctor in this situation.
– Broken ankle: Symptoms of a broken ankle include swelling, bruising and throbbing. When the break occurs you may feel a snap. A foot doctor is necessary to diagnose the cause which can be as basic as a simple misstep. A Georgia podiatrist can diagnose if the break is severe enough to require surgery. Visit the office of your metro atlanta foot specialist if your pain doesn’t subside on its own.
– Stress fractures: When you have a stress fracture, your podiatry doctor observes tiny cracks in your bone. They are caused by repetitive stress or overuse. While excessive jumping and distance running are common causes, these fractures can appear after normal activity if your bones have been weakened by osteoporosis. Track and field athletes are often susceptible too. The condition causes localized pain that tends to dissipate when rested. If the pain doesn’t go away, visit your metro atlanta foot doctor.
– Avulsion fracture: This foot fracture occurs when the Achilles tendon pulls off a piece of bone from the heel. Most podiatry doctors recommend a treatment similar to a sprain which consists of rest, ice and elevation as well as immobilizing the ankle. All conditions of the foot and ankle should always be evaluated by a Georgia foot doctor.
– Gout: When uric acid crystals form in the joints of your body, you get gout. While it’s more commonly associated with your big toe, it can also occur in your ankle. Characterized by extreme pain that appears suddenly, even at night, gout can feel like your joint is on fire. There’s usually swelling, redness and reduced mobility in the affected joints. If these symptoms are present, consult your podiatric specialist as soon as possible. Untreated, gout can get worse and lead to permanent joint damage. Diet, obesity, certain medical conditions and family history are factors in gout. Although most common in men between the ages of 30 and 50, gout can also affect postmenopausal women.
– Osteoarthritis: Joints are covered by a protective layer of cartilage. Osteoarthritis is a result of your bone’s protective cartilage being worn down over time. This process can be accelerated in individuals who live active lifestyles especially those who participate in sports regularly. According to podiatric doctors, you’ll feel pain, stiffness and a grating sensation with osteoarthritis. Being a degenerative disease, it gets worse over time, eventually preventing you from working or even performing daily tasks. X-rays, MRIs, blood tests and joint fluid analyses help diagnose the condition. Your foot doctor can perform these tests. Risk factors that lead to condition include:
– – Obesity
– – Aging
– – Joint injuries
– – Repetitive movements
– – Genetics
– – Bone deformities
– Osteochondritis dissecans:This condition typically occurs after an injury disrupts the blood flow to your joint resulting in the separation of cartilage and bone. The symptoms are pain and disruption in the gliding motions of your joint. It is imperative to visit a foot specialist early to prevent permanent damage. In some cases surgery may be necessary however immobilization in a boot may suffice if intervention is early.
– All symptoms should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by your podiatrist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan to exclude any underlying serious condition.
At Georgia Podiatry, you’ll find individualized and compassionate podiatry care. In our podiatric facility in Austell & Kennesaw Georgia we are using the latest medical developments available in the United States. Get the podiatrist care you need in the safe, reassuring hands of the excellent Georgia foot doctor and care experts. Trust Dr. Brody, Dr. Patel, and Dr. Cupolo to treat your foot related issues with dignity while we diagnose your condition.