Whether you are walking, running, standing, or dancing, your ankles, and feet are carrying your entire body weight. Your body has three chief weight-bearing joints, namely the knees, hips, and ankles. Your ankles are bearing the most considerable amount of force placed onto it. Experts predict the force that your ankle is withstanding when walking is about twice and a half your body weight. That amount of force enhances with impact when you are exercising or running. With such a small body part carrying so much pressure, the feet and ankles are susceptible to sustaining painful injuries like fractures, sprains, and dislocations. The degenerative influences of infections, arthritis as well as structural characteristics like flat feet or high arches, it can take a significant toll on the feet and ankles. If you have sustained an ankle or foot injury and are experiencing weakness, instability, and pain, an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist can help.
Causes Of Ankle And Foot Pain
Among the most recognizable causes of chronic and acute foot and ankle pain, weakness, and instability include:
- Dislocations and fractures
- Bursitis (inflammation surrounding the joint)
- Arthritis
- Tendonitis (inflammation of your tendons)
- Strains and sprains (when ligaments tear or stretch, typically as a result of twisting or rolling the ankle)
- Overuse (repetitive pressure to the ankle or foot)
- Diabetic foot issues (neuropathic fractures or ulcers – open wounds, typically a result of diabetes, on the bottom of the foot)
Along with hereditary and health problems, these can result in various ankle and foot conditions.
Diagnoses
Before discussing a treatment plan, your orthopedic surgeon NYC first must assess your ankle and foot pain to diagnose the condition, utilizing a series of in-office examinations or medical imaging tests like:
- X-Rays
- CT scans
- MRIs
- Ultrasound
To evaluate the best treatment plan going forward, your orthopedic surgeon might also collaborate with other healthcare professionals.
Non-Surgical Treatments
In many cases, the orthopedic surgeon will first look at non-surgical methods before opting for surgery. Among non-surgical therapies and treatments for ankle and foot conditions are:
- Casting, bracing or splinting the ankle/foot
- Using assistive devices or supports like crutches
- Anti-inflammatory meds and/or steroid injections
- Activity or lifestyle modifications
Surgical Treatments
Surgery may be the only option for the treatment of your foot and ankle pain, instability, or weakness. The type of therapy is selected based on many factors like the location, nature, and extent of the condition or injury. Among surgical ankle and foot treatments performed may include:
- Achilles Tendon Repair – usually ruptures due to overuse or degeneration or injury. The orthopedic surgeon must surgically repair the tendon to reconnect the heel bone and the calf muscle.
- Limb salvage – also referred to as limb-sparing surgery. An alternative to amputation when cancerous tumors is being surgically removed. The affected bone is surgically removed and replaced with bone grafts and/or metal implants.
- Complete Ankle Replacement – Entails Replacing The Damaged Parts Of Three Bones That Make Up An Ankle Joint With Plastic Implant Devices And Specialized Metal.
- Ankle And Foot Reconstruction – To Restore The Function In Your Foot And Ankle, The Surgeon Might Transfer Or Replace Tendons, Implant Prosthetic Joints, Remove The Tumor, Or Manipulate The Bone By Grafting, Fusing, Or Cutting.
