High Arch Foot (Pes Cavus)

What is a Cavus foot type or high arch? A high arched foot is when someone has an abnormally high arch of their foot which can lead to abnormal foot biomechanics that cause a variety of different foot and ankle pain.  What causes a person to have high arches? Genetics is the most common cause of having high arches, but can …

Bruise underneath the toenail (subungual hematoma)

What is a bruise underneath a nail?  A bruise underneath a toenail can be caused from either acute injury or repetitive micro trauma that causes blood vessels to burst. A bruise underneath a nail is a dark discoloration underneath that nail that is harmless, but often is thought to be possible melanoma. What are the complications of an injury to …

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 …

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 …

Os Trigonum Syndrome

What is the Os Trigonum? The Os Trigonum in an extra bone that can develop behind the ankle joint behind the talus. This accessory bone is connected to the talus by a fibrous band and is present at birth. It can be present in either one or both ankles.  What is Os Trigonum Syndrome? Most people with an os trigonum …

Achilles Rupture: Operative vs. Nonoperative Treatment

What is an achilles rupture? The achilles tendon is formed by the gastrocnemius and soleus tendon and inserts into the back of the heel (calcaneus bone). The achilles tendon is the major tendon involved in bending the ankle down (plantar flexion) and allowing the foot to push off the ground.  Why is it important to treat an achilles rupture? If …

Athlete’s Foot (tinea pedis)

What is Athlete’s foot? Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the foot. Fungal infections of the foot are common because of the dark, moist, and warm environment inside shoes. Fungus thrives in areas such as public pools, gyms, public showers, and locker room which is why a fungal infection of the foot is called athlete’s foot.  How to diagnose …

Lisfranc Injury of the Foot

What is a Lisfranc injury? A lisfranc injury is a disruption between the tarsometarsal joint complex specifically damage to the lisfranc ligament that connects the medial cuneiform to the 2nd metatarsal. How to diagnose a Lisfranc injury? X-rays are typically used to diagnose lisfranc injuries and specifically attention is paid to a widening of the gap between the medical cuneiform …