Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgeon for Foot & Ankle

Diagnosis & Treatment for Chronic Foot & Ankle Pain

Identifying the cause of foot and ankle pain depends on where it is located, what caused or worsened the pain, and whether it is accompanied by specific factors such as difficulty pushing off with the toes, or swelling, bruising and instability.

Common causes of foot and ankle pain include:

• Achilles tendinitis: This is the most common cause of heel pain. Achilles tendinitis is an inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. The Achilles tendon is used when you walk, run, or jump.
• Tendon ruptures (tears): A tendon rupture is a complete or partial tear of a tendon. A tendon is a strong cord of tissue that connects muscles to bones. The Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscle to the heel bone, is the most commonly ruptured tendon.
• Broken ankle: A broken ankle is a break in 1 or more bones in the ankle.
• Talus fractures of the ankle: A talus fracture is a break of the talus bone in the ankle. This bone fits into a depression on the lower end of the shinbone (tibia) and another bone in the foot (calcaneus).
• Broken foot-heel fractures: A fracture of the calcaneus, or heel bone, is a break that occurs in the back of the foot.
• Midfoot fractures: These fractures occur in the 3 bones of the arch on the top of the foot (navicular, cuboid, and cuneiform bones). A Lisfranc fracture is a type of midfoot fracture.
• Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that occurs when the cartilage (protective covering) on the ends of bones wears down over time. Osteoarthritis can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness.
• Sprains: A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments, which are the tough bands of tissue that connect bones together. A severe sprain may cause a joint to become unstable.
• Stress fractures of the foot and ankle: A stress fracture is a tiny crack in the bone caused by repetitive force or overuse. Stress fractures are common in the metatarsals (bones in the forefoot) and the navicular (bone in the midfoot).
• Toe and forefoot fractures: There are many bones in the toes and forefoot. A fracture of one of these bones can cause pain, swelling, bruising, and deformity.

Foot problems frequently result from weak muscles, tendons, and ligaments which cause misalignment of the bones and can result in pain and limited mobility. Poor foot posture and function have been implicated in the onset of low back pain. This interconnectedness is essential to recognize and respect in order for the patient to achieve pain relief and improved quality of life.