Like with many other parts of the body, a patient can be affected by common foot and ankle conditions. Those listed here can stem from various causes and require varying degrees of treatment. Understanding the conditions can help avoid or treat a situation in your own life. 

Common Foot and Ankle Conditions To Watch Out For 

Here, we discuss the most common foot and ankle conditions for you to identify in yourself or others. At South Shore Orthopedics, our Dr. Kuripla offers many treatments and knowledge regarding foot and ankle conditions.  

1. Foot and Ankle Deformities 

One of the most common issues is foot and ankle deformities. These can present themselves in a variety of ways. Looking out for any of these conditions gives you the chance to resolve them. 

The following are common foot and ankle deformities:

  • Bunion 
  • Hammer toe 
  • Heel spurs 
  • Flat feet

Each of these conditions requires a unique treatment. That is one reason why paying attention to the way your feet and ankles are feeling is important. 

2. Tendinopathies

The US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health holds a study that defines tendinopathy as a broad term encompassing painful conditions occurring in and around the tendons in response to overuse. 

Below, we have listed the variety of ways tendinopathy can present itself in a patient. 

  • Achilles Tendinitis
  • Posterior tibial tendonitis
  • Peroneal tendonitis
  • Flexor tendonitis
  • Extensor Tendonitis

Each of these involves different parts of various tendons in the foot and ankle. Discovering those that can be harmed could lead to figuring out an individual client’s issue. 

3. Sports and Soft Tissue Injuries 

While soft tissue injuries are often caused by sports, there are other ways to harm your soft tissue. Once you understand the possible cause of a soft tissue injury, it is also important to look at the various types.

Here, we provide the different soft tissue injuries to identify:

  • Plantar fasciitis  
  • Ankle Sprains
  • Ankle Instability

For athletes or physically active people, these could be common after a large exertion of energy for foot and ankle conditions. Pay attention to how you feel during the various activities to ensure you do not harm yourself. If you start to notice pain, take a break from the exercise that seemed to cause it. 

4. Arthritis 

Arthritis is another common condition that people face in foot and ankle conditions. OrthoInfo explains arthritis as inflammation of one or more of your joints. It is common in the small joints located in the foot and ankle. The types of arthritis present in the foot and ankle can make it painful to walk and perform other daily activities. 

5. Neurological Conditions 

Not all situations stem from an obvious physical place. Neurological conditions can be just as present in causing issues of the foot and ankle. This can result in nerve pain in a patient. 

The variety of neurological conditions are as follows: 

  • Tarsel Tunnel Syndome 
  • Dorsal Cuneiform Neutritis 
  • Morton’s Neuroma 
  • Peripheral Neuropathy 

With nerve issues, it can seem hard to identify where the pain is stemming from. The combination of multiple compression points supports that. Understanding the various neurological conditions can give you the chance to distinguish between where the pain is present and what may be causing it. These can happen for many reasons and are not limited to physical action. 

6. Fractures and Traumatic Injuries 

While common, fractures and traumatic injuries can be more intensive than the previous conditions. Things like osteoporosis can even lead to these fractures. Discovering the issue behind the fracture or traumatic injury can be important in its treatment plan. 

These can be present in a variety of ways but a few are listed below:

  • Ankle fractures
    • Lateral malleolus fracture
    • Bimalleolar fractures
    • Trimalleolar fractures
    • Pilon fracture 
  • Heel bone fractures 
  • Metatarsal fractures
  • Toe fractures 
  • Stress fractures 

These fractures present in a multitude of ways and require the proper tests to decide a course of treatment.  

 

Common foot and ankle conditions still require a medical professional to resolve them. All of these possibilities bring different challenges. After looking through the most common situations, you may view one that seems familiar. Do you have questions about possible issues present in your own life? Contact us through our website or give us a call at (781) 337-5555.