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 …

Ankle Arthritis

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? …

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 …

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 …

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 …