What is ankle arthritis? Ankle arthritis develops when the ankle joint looses cartilage. The ankle joint space narrows with worsening pain and loss of range of motion. What causes ankle arthritis? Most common cause of ankle is post-traumatic arthritis and other causes are primary osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteonecrosis, septic joint, gout, and hemophilia. What are the signs of ankle arthritis? …
Over The Counter (OTC) Insert
What is an over the counter insert? An OTC insert is a prefabricated insert that is sold by companies to help treat a different variety of foot pathology What are the different type of OTC inserts? Inserts are broken down into two categories: Accommodative vs Functional. A accommodative insert is a gel or foam type of insert that helps support …
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
What is CRPS? CRPS is a painful nerve condition with excess and prolonged pain/inflammation that occurs after an injury. Patients with CRPs have pain out of proportion and extreme sensitivity to the touch.There is improper function of the peripheral C-fiber nerve fibers that carries pain message to the brain. What causes CRPS? Trauma, Surgery, prolong immobilization, anxiety/depression, use of ace …
Dry Cracked Heels – Heel Fissures
What is a dry cracked heel? A painful dry cracked heel is called a fissure. A fissure occurs when the callus becomes thick, dry and then a crack in the skin forms. The fissures can be painful since it is an open wound and lots of pressure is placed on the heel when walking. Fissures typically heal, but can be …
Heel Pressure Ulcers (decubitus ulcers or bed sores)
What are heel pressure ulcers? Heel pressure ulcers or sores are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue caused by prolonged pressure to the skin. The pressure to the skin limits the blood flow to the skin, which eventually leads to a break down of the skin and formation of a wound. How do you get pressure ulcers? Heel pressure …
Peroneal Tendon Tears
What are the peroneal tendons? The peroneal tendons consist of the peroneus longus and brevis which are located on the lateral side of your ankle and connect to the base of the 5th metatarsal and base of the 1st metatarsal/medial cuneiform. The function of the peroneus muscles and tendons are to evert/stabilize your ankle and plantar flex the 1st metatarsal. …
Stingray Sting and Injury
What treatment should you do after being immediately stung by a sting ray? If you are someone is comfortable with removing the stingray stinger, make sure to remove it slowly and carefully. Breaking the stinger into the wound will make it more difficult to remove in the future. If you feel uncomfortable with removing the stinger you can seek medical …
Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Foot and Ankle
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)? Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disease that mainly attacks the joints. Overtime if the rheumatoid arthritis is not controlled it can cause chronic severe pain, erosion of joints, and deformity. A common board question related to RA is to check the cervical spine prior to surgical intervention. How are the symptoms of …
Best Ankle braces
What is an ankle brace? An ankle brace is an external device used to support an injured, weak, painful ankle. Most commonly ankle braces are worn after ankle sprains and can be used for people that have ankle or subtalar ankle arthritis. How does an ankle brace work? An ankle brace provides support by limiting the range of motion of …
Accessory Navicular Syndrome (os tibiale externum)
What is an accessory navicular? An accessory navicular is an extra bone that someone is born with a birth and is attached to the navicular. The Classification for accessory naviculars is by Geist: Type 1 is a bone embedded in the posterior tibial tendon, type 2 is attached to the navicular by a fibrocartilaginous connection, and a type 3 is …