Ankle Sprain:

• An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments around the ankle joint have been stretched or torn.  Ankle sprains are graded on a scale of 1-3.  Grade III is the most severe because the ligament or ligaments are completely torn. Ankle sprains can occur on either the outside of the ankle, a lateral ankle sprain, or on the inside of the ankle, a medial ankle sprain.

• The most common ankle sprain is the lateral ankle, and the most often injured ligament is the anterior talofibular ligament. Having previous ankle sprains, improper footwear, or performing an activity on an uneven surface can increase the risk of an ankle sprain.

• Symptoms of an ankle sprain include mild to severe pain, swelling, popping/snapping sound during the injury, difficulty moving the ankle, bruising, and instability of the ankle.

Hammer Toe:

• Hammer or claw toe is when the toe become permanently bent resembling a hammer.

• Common causes include wear improper footwear, muscle, joint, or nerve damage.

• Symptoms include pain and improper alignment of mainly the four little toes.

Bunion:

• A bunion is growth of extra bone at the base of the big toe.  As the growth becomes larger, the big toe will begin to point toward the remaining toes.

• Common causes include improper bony alignment or make up of the foot, having flat feet, and wearing improper shoes.

• Symptoms can be minimal, but can also include pain, swelling at the base of the big toe, and skin irritation.

• Severe bunions can be treated with surgery.  This is mostly an outpatient procedure which can use regional or general anesthetics.  There are many different types of bunion surgeries, but most include a small incision on the top or side of the base of the big toe.  The different surgical techniques are used to remove and realign tissues with the foot and toe.  Some surgeries have restrictions including not putting weight on the surgical limb, or wearing a cast or splint.

Plantarfascitis:

• The Plantar Fascia is the flat band of tissue that connects your calcaneus to your phalanges and supports the arch of your foot. This fascia can become irritated with repetitive strains causing the plantar fascia to develop microtears and become inflamed.

• Common causes include improper alignment of the foot, having flat feet or high archs, being overweight, wearing improper footwear, or excessive pronation during activities such as walking, running, and standing.

• Symptoms include stiffness after long periods of rest, pain of gradual onset to the medial plantar aspect of the foot.  Pain is generally worse in the morning and when weight bearing.

Hammer toe:

• Hammer or claw toe is when the toe become permanently bent resembling a hammer.

• Common causes include wear improper footwear, muscle, joint, or nerve damage.

• Symptoms include pain and improper alignment of mainly the four little toes.

Bunion:

• A bunion is growth of extra bone at the base of the big toe.  As the growth becomes larger, the big toe will begin to point toward the remaining toes.

• Common causes include improper bony alignment or make up of the foot, having flat feet, and wearing improper shoes.

• Symptoms can be minimal, but can also include pain, swelling at the base of the big toe, and skin irritation.

• Severe bunions can be treated with surgery.  This is mostly an outpatient procedure which can use regional or general anesthetics.  There are many different types of bunion surgeries, but most include a small incision on the top or side of the base of the big toe.  The different surgical techniques are used to remove and realign tissues with the foot and toe.  Some surgeries have restrictions including not putting weight on the surgical limb, or wearing a cast or splint.

Plantarfascitis:

• The Plantar Fascia is the flat band of tissue that connects your calcaneus to your phalanges and supports the arch of your foot. This fascia can become irritated with repetitive strains causing the plantar fascia to develop microtears and become inflamed.

• Common causes include improper alignment of the foot, having flat feet or high archs, being overweight, wearing improper footwear, or excessive pronation during activities such as walking, running, and standing.

• Symptoms include stiffness after long periods of rest, pain of gradual onset to the medial plantar aspect of the foot.  Pain is generally worse in the morning and when weight bearing.