Ankle and Foot Injuries

Please see the index below for a list of all our articles on Ankle and Foot Injuries.

If you are new to the subject, we recommend starting with: Ankle Anatomy: Muscles and Ligaments

Dorsal view of the bones of the foot flexing and extending

Article

Causes and Risk Factors of Foot Stress Fractures

Anyone can sustain a foot stress fracture, however certain risk factors, such as participation in certain sports or having previously had a stress fracture, increase the likelihood of the injury occurring.

Practitioner manipulating a patient's foot and ankle.

Article

Diagnosing a Foot Stress Fracture

People who suspect they have a foot stress fracture likely have to visit a health care professional to receive an accurate diagnosis. The doctor’s appointment will often include a patient interview and physical examination.

Article

Diagnosing Achilles Pain

Diagnose Achilles pain through physical examination, imaging, and medical history for accurate assessment and effective treatment planning.

Therapist massaging the achilles tendon.

Article

Diagnosing Turf Toe

Turf toe can occur over time, so symptoms may be mild at first. A patient should be aware of pain or swelling associated with the big toe joint, also called the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, which can prompt a proper diagnosis.

Ankle wrapped in bandage with ice on the joint.

Article

Foot Stress Fracture: Treatment Options, Recovery, and Prevention

Most foot stress fractures can heal with nonsurgical treatments, such as the RICE method and taking over-the-counter pain medication. Recovery will often involve workout modifications and rest.

Article

Is Heel Pain Caused by Heel Spurs or Plantar Fasciitis?

Although heel spurs are a normal finding on X-rays, plantar fasciitis is a more common cause of heel pain.

Physician using shock wave therapy on a patients heel for plantar fasciitis

Article

Nonsurgical, Surgical, and Minimally Invasive Treatment Options for Plantar Fasciitis

There are several outpatient procedures that can be used to treat plantar fasciitis. In rare cases, surgery may also be recommended as a treatment option.

Article

Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosis

Before making a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis a doctor must rule out other problems that can cause foot pain, such as a broken heel (calcaneus fracture), nerve entrapment, and Achilles tendonitis.

Article

Plantar Fasciitis Risk Factors

Experts believe that when the plantar fascia is put under strain it becomes inflamed or develops tiny tears (micro-tears), or both. This damage is typically associated with one or more of the risk factors as described in this informative article.