Common Foot and Ankle Conditions and Disorders
by Kevin Smith AuthorA problem with your foot or ankle can interfere
with your daily life. You can have trouble walking, running, going up and down
stairs, and even driving. The solution to your problem may be as simple as
getting a better-fitting pair of shoes. More serious problems may require
medication, injections, or surgery. Foot and ankle physicians in Renton, WA,
can help you regain your mobility and take away your pain or discomfort.
Ankle Sprains and Strains
An ankle sprain usually results from some
type of trauma. Your foot may turn inward when you're walking, running, or
jumping. This causes a ligament in the ankle to stretch or tear. An ankle
strain occurs when you pull or tear a tendon in your ankle. The strain may be
acute as when you're lifting heaving objects, or it may be chronic as when
you're performing repetitive motions.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is the inflammation of
the ligament that connects the heel bone to the toes, causing pain in your
heel. The condition is caused by walking, running, or standing for long periods
of time. If the pain persists, steroidal injections may be used, a splint may
be applied, or, in rare cases, surgery may be necessary.
Bunions
A bunion, a painful bony bump, can develop
on the inside of your foot at the big toe joint. The big toe joint becomes
enlarged. When this condition is combined with stress on the foot, such as from
wearing a shoe that is too tight, the bunion develops. A bunion is usually
treated by changing shoes. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to realign
the bones, ligaments, and tendons in the toe joint.
Hammertoe
Hammertoe is a bending deformity of a joint
of the second, third, fourth, or fifth toe. Hammertoe is caused by a muscle or
tendon imbalance. The condition may be hereditary. It can also result from an
enlarged big toe crowding the other toes. In its early stage, hammertoe can be
managed with conservative treatment. The condition gets worse with time and
won't go away on its own, so you should seek medical treatment as soon as
possible.
Arthritis
Arthritis can develop in the metatarsophalangeal
or MTP joint of the big toe. Your MTP joint bends each time you take a step.
When the MTP joint gets stiff, walking can become painful. You may develop
hallux rigidus, or severe arthritis, between the ages of 30 and 60. If
conservative treatment fails, foot and ankle physicians in Renton, WA,
can fuse the big toe with the first metatarsal to correct the problem.
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Created on May 21st 2019 05:05. Viewed 476 times.