Hammertoes typically begin with small symptoms and deformities and continue to worsen with time. In its beginning stages, hammertoes are often impressionable which means they can be controlled using minimal treatment. It is important to know the signs of hammertoes to get them evaluated early. If left untreated, hammertoes can become more firm and difficult to manipulate, requiring surgery.

Common symptoms of hammertoes include:

• Pain or irritation of the affected toe when wearing shoes.
• Corns and calluses (a buildup of skin) on the toe, between two toes or on the ball of the foot. Corns are caused by constant friction against the shoe. They may be soft or hard, depending on their location.
• Inflammation, redness or a burning sensation
• Bending of the toe
• In more severe cases of hammertoe, open sores may form.

The most common symptoms of plantar fasciitis include:

• Pain on the bottom of the foot near the heel.
• Pain with the first few steps after getting out of bed in the morning, or after a long period of rest, such as after a long car ride. The pain subsides after a few minutes of walking
• Greater pain after (not during) exercise or activity.

When to consider Surgery:

• You’ve tried other treatment for at least 6 months and it has not helped.
• Heel pain is affecting your ability to work or to do moderate exercise.

How Successful is Plantar Fasciitis Surgery?
Endoscopic Plantar Fasciotomy (EPF) has a roughly 90% success rate. Other surgical procedures also have good success rates and come with their own advantages and disadvantages. Preference for these variations of plantar fasciitis surgery will vary among individual surgeons based on factors such as level of expertise and patient outcomes.

Endoscopic plantar fasciotomy recovery:
Patients who have endoscopic surgery will be able to begin minimal weight-bearing activities soon after surgery as well as wear regular shoes when they fit properly. Most people return to their normal activity level within three to six weeks after surgery.

A sprained ankle occurs when you unnaturally twist your ankle, causing the ligaments holding your ankle bones together to stretch or tear. Most sprained ankles involve injuries to the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle.

Similarly, a strain can happen when there is a sudden twist, pull, or tear in the muscles or tendons in the ankle. Chronic strains are those that occur over several days or weeks and are usually caused by repetitive movements.

Treatment for a sprained ankle depends on the severity of the damage. Although you may just need proper rest and pain medications to heal, it is important to have the sprain looked at by a professional to determine the severity and appropriate treatment.

After an ankle sprain or strain, proper rehabilitation is required to strengthen the muscles around the ankle and rehabilitate the tissues within the ankle that affect your balance. Also, physical therapy, medications, and bracing can help treat chronic ankle instability. Failure to do so may result in repeated ankle sprains or strains, and possibly surgery.

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.

For those struggling with foot and ankle pain, it is important that you seek medical attention for a proper evaluation. Our orthopedic physicians are highly trained and experienced in diagnosing and treating all facets of foot and ankle pain or injury. After a thorough examination, we can begin to craft a customized treatment plan that will take your unique needs and lifestyle into account.

Broken and fractured ankles are typically caused by falls, car accidents, or sports-related trauma. Since severe sprains can sometimes hide symptoms of a broken or fractured bone, it is very important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a foot injury.

Symptoms of a broken or fractured ankle include bruising, swelling, severe pain, the inability for the ankle to bear weight, tenderness, discoloration, and/or deformity.

Treatments typically include a cast or brace. Depending on the severity of the injury, corrective surgery may be needed to secure the bones in place for proper alignment.

There are two types of arthritis: Osteoarthritis (also called “wear and tear” arthritis,) is the most common, typically brought on by the aging of joints. Cartilage breaks down over time, creating painful sensations and difficulty moving and articulating the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is the most serious form and can be majorly crippling. In the foot, it is a chronic inflammatory problem affecting the feet and ankles.

Symptoms include stiffness of joints (especially in the morning), limitation of joint movement, pain, tenderness, redness, rashes, and/or swelling in the joints.

With early treatment, the symptoms of arthritis can be lessened and managed. Treatments include limiting movement, physical therapy, exercise, anti-inflammatory medications and/or steroid injections, and orthotics.

Achilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon, typically caused by overuse of the tendon during physical activity. This can include hill running, stair climbing, improper footwear, trauma caused by the sudden contraction of the calf muscle, etc.

Symptoms include pain after exercise that generally worsens, recurring pain in the calf area, mild to severe swelling, and stiffness or sluggishness of your leg.

Treatments include wearing specialized bandages, laying off physical activity involving the tendon, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), customized orthotics, and physical therapy.

In extreme cases, surgery may be used to repair tears and remove fibrous tissue.

Peroneal tendon dislocation/dysfunction happens when the tendons supporting the arch of your foot malfunction. These muscles (called peroneus Brevis and peroneus Longus), act like a stirrup gripping the arch of the foot, helping hold it up. Dislocation of the peroneal tendon is found in people who play basketball, soccer, football, and those who ski.

When the tendons dislocate, there may be swelling behind the outside of the ankle. A physical exam is required for diagnosis.

Nonsurgical treatments include crutches to keep all the weight off the foot, anti-inflammatory medications, or a cast/removable boot.

Surgery may be advised in severe cases to reposition the tendons.

Xanthomas of the Achilles tendon are cholesterol deposits on the Achilles tendon, which appear as small lumps. Although they are painless, the deposits originate from high cholesterol.

A biopsy of these lumps may be recommended.