Your feet and ankles are complex structures that play a crucial role in your daily life. They support your weight, allow you to walk, run and jump, and enable you to maintain balance. Each foot and ankle is made up of more than 50 bones, which account for a quarter of all the bones in your body. These bones are connected by joints, tendons and ligaments, working together to provide support and mobility.
Foot & Ankle
The Anatomy of Our Feet and Ankles
- Bones: The foot and ankle contain 26 bones each, including the tarsal bones in the ankle and the metatarsals in the foot.
- Joints: These are where the bones meet and include the ankle joint, which allows up-and-down movement.
- Tendons & Ligaments: These strong, fibrous tissues connect bones and muscles. The Achilles tendon, for example, is a vital tendon that attaches the calf muscle to the heel bone.
How They Function
- Weight Bearing: Your feet and ankles bear the entire weight of your body, adjusting to different surfaces and absorbing shock with each step.
- Movement: They allow for a wide range of movements, from walking to complex actions in sports and dance.
Understanding Foot and Ankle Injuries and Conditions
Despite their strength, the foot and ankle are prone to various conditions and injuries, which can result from many factors. Overuse, common in athletes or individuals with active lifestyles, can lead to conditions like tendonitis or stress fractures. Improper footwear, contributing to misalignment or insufficient support, can cause issues like bunions or plantar fasciitis. Accidents like falls or sports injuries often result in sprains or fractures. Age-related changes, including the wear and tear of joints and weakening of bones and tissues, can lead to arthritis or decreased mobility.
Each of these factors underscores the need for proper care and attention to foot and ankle health.
Impact on Daily Life
When your foot or ankle is injured or affected by a specific issue, it can significantly impact your life. You may experience pain, reduced mobility and difficulty in performing everyday activities.
Treatment and Care at the Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio
At the Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio, we understand the importance of healthy feet and ankles. We offer comprehensive diagnostics and a range of treatment options to address various conditions and injuries with the best possible results. Our goal is to reduce your pain, improve mobility and restore your quality of life.
Common Foot and Ankle Conditions That Require Treatment
We diagnose and treat numerous foot and ankle conditions, including but not limited to:
Bunions
Bunions are large, painful bumps that form on the outside of the foot next to the large joint in the big toe. They usually occur after wearing shoes with tight or pointed toes.
Bunions are often treated by changing footwear and using orthotic devices (shoe inserts designed to alleviate pressure and discomfort). However, surgery is an option when conservative treatments don’t offer sufficient relief.
Toe Deformities (Hammer Toes, Claw Toes, Stiff Big Toe)
Achilles Tendonitis
Heel Spurs
Plantar Fasciitis
Treatment and Care at the Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio
To address your foot and ankle concerns, we may use one or more of the following treatment options:
At the Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio, we prioritize a patient-centered approach to foot and ankle treatments, beginning with the least invasive methods. Whenever possible, our team of skilled physicians and specialists try gentler techniques that are easier and less stressful for you first. If these don’t work as well as we hope, we then consider other options, including more advanced treatments like injections or surgery. Our focus is on providing compassionate, expert care, taking into account your unique needs so you feel supported and confident throughout your treatment process and recovery.
Orthotic Devices
Orthotic devices for the feet and ankles are specialized inserts placed inside shoes to correct structural and functional abnormalities. They provide support, redistribute pressure and improve the alignment of the foot and ankle. The options for orthotics range from over-the-counter devices to custom-made devices tailored to your specific needs.
Orthotics are particularly beneficial for conditions like flat feet, high arches, bunions, heel spurs and plantar fasciitis. By improving foot mechanics, orthotics can alleviate pain, enhance comfort and prevent further injury.
Medication
Medications for foot and ankle conditions encompass a range of options, each tailored to specific patient needs and types of issues. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs are used to manage pain and reduce swelling in conditions like Achilles tendonitis or arthritis. More severe cases may require stronger prescription medications. The choice of medication depends on the severity of your condition, with the aim to provide relief and aid in the healing process.
Our physicians will carefully review your symptoms and medical history to determine the most appropriate medication for your specific concern.
Immobilization
Immobilization, also called external stabilization or supportive bracing, is a technique that limits movement in the affected area to facilitate healing, reduce pain and reduce the risk of further injury. This treatment is carried out using a brace, splint or cast. Braces and splints offer support and are typically used for less severe injuries, while casts provide more rigid support for serious conditions like fractures.
Immobilization is crucial for ensuring proper alignment and healing, especially in cases where bones need to mend or ligament damage requires time to repair. This method is effective for injuries such as sprains and fractures as well as post-surgical recovery.
Injections
Injections for treating foot and ankle conditions can be a vital part of a treatment plan. These injections, often containing corticosteroids, are used to reduce inflammation and pain in the affected area. They are particularly beneficial for conditions like arthritis and tendonitis. Another type of injection, hyaluronic acid, can be used for joint lubrication. These treatments are typically considered when other less invasive methods haven’t provided sufficient relief.
Ankle Arthroscopy
This minimally invasive surgical procedure is used to examine, diagnose and treat various conditions within the ankle joint. Through very small incisions, the surgeon inserts a tiny camera (called an arthroscope) and other instruments to view and repair the inside of the ankle.
Ankle arthroscopy is often best suited for cases where precise visualization and treatment of internal joint issues are required. This technique is particularly effective for diagnosing and treating conditions such as ligament tears, ankle impingement, arthritis and cartilage damage. It offers the advantage of a quicker recovery and less postoperative pain compared to traditional open surgery, and it is a safe procedure with rare incidences of complications.
Surgery
Surgery for foot and ankle conditions encompasses various procedures tailored to specific injuries or issues. For example, bunion surgery realigns the toe, while ligament repair is used for severe sprains. Ankle fusion or replacement may be necessary for advanced arthritis.
Surgery aims to restore function, alleviate pain and improve quality of life. While surgery is always an option in treating the foot and ankle, it is not typically our first choice. Surgery is reserved for cases where other treatments will not be successful or alternative therapies have not produced the desired effect.
Get Relief for Foot and Ankle Pain and Injuries
Foot and ankle injuries and conditions can be painful and debilitating. If you are suffering, now is the time to request appointment the Orthopaedic Institute of Ohio at 419-963-4870. We provide full diagnostic services and multiple treatment options to meet your needs.