Common Foot And Ankle Conditions
Did you know that the human foot is actually quite complex? It’s a structure with 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 ligaments and muscles—all of these parts work together to achieve a unique combination of stability and flexibility. Because we use our feet daily, it’s inevitable that problems may arise in any of these bones, joints, and/or ligaments.
How We Can Help
Our orthopedic doctors are committed to providing our patients with the best treatment possible. We help treat surgical and non-surgical problems, regardless of their magnitude. As trained and experienced doctors, we use professional and current methods of diagnosis and treatment to make sure you are able to heal properly.
You use your feet to walk, run, jump, climb, and more—this makes them subject to many different ailments. You could have something as mild as inflammation or as serious as bunions. Our doctors have seen it all and can help figure out what the best plan of action is for your specific body. Some common foot and ankle conditions include:
- Athlete’s Foot: Athlete’s foot happens when your foot is exposed to the fungus in a gym shower or pool—mostly where people walk around barefoot. This condition is a fungal infection of the skin that is usually found between the toes. It can spread, eventually causing a significant infection around your foot. Make sure you always keep your feet clean and dry, using a separate towel to dry them. There are also antifungal treatments such as sprays, powders, and lotions that you can get over-the-counter.
- Bunions: These are abnormalities of the feet that happen when a bump develops on the large toe joint. This can cause your big toe to turn inward from wearing narrow and tight shoes. Because bunions are progressive, it is best to see a podiatrist for diagnosis and treatment to correct the problem before severe pain, arthritis, and deformity occur.
- Ingrown Toenails: Ingrown toenails have borders or sides that dig painfully into the skin, often causing infection. They are frequently caused by improper nail trimming, but can also be caused by shoe pressure, injury, fungal infection, and poor foot structure. If you have redness, swelling, pain, or drainage from your toenail, it could mean you have an infected ingrown toenail. It’s best to see a podiatrist who can help clean out the nail and prevent further infection with a specific treatment.
To learn more about other different conditions, we’ve created a list below. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!