Overview
Foot and ankle problems can involve bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, muscles, nerves, or the supporting tissues of the foot. Pain may follow a trip, fall, dropped object, work injury, or sports and exercise activity. It can also build gradually with overuse, high-heeled shoes, prolonged standing, or normal wear and tear. A focused assessment helps connect your symptoms with a possible cause and guides a treatment plan suited to your findings and daily needs.
Common symptoms
- Foot or ankle pain
- Swelling or bruising
- Stiffness or reduced range of motion
- Sharp or tearing pain in the sole
- Pain with the first steps after getting out of bed
- Pain when wearing work boots
- Bony changes in the toes
- Weakness in the foot
Conditions we evaluate
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinitis
- Ankle sprains
- Muscle strains
- Compartment syndrome
- Morton’s neuroma
- Arthritis
- Bunions
- Fractures
Diagnosis
Your evaluation begins with questions about the pain’s location, quality, timing, and triggers. Pain may feel sharp, stabbing, achy, or stiff, and particular activities can reveal what aggravates it. The foot and ankle are then examined for tenderness, movement, and function. Your provider may measure ankle range of motion and apply pressure to the ankle, arch, and toes. Specific maneuvers can assess the plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, and ankle ligaments. X-rays or an MRI may be considered when imaging could clarify the cause.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on the suspected cause, examination findings, severity, and how the problem affects your routine. Options may include rest, orthotic devices, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, physical therapy, massage therapy, prescription medicines, or joint injections. Surgery may be considered for a fracture, muscle or ligament tear, or another major injury. Stem cell therapy should not be assumed to be appropriate or curative: eligibility, evidence, alternatives, potential benefits, and risks require an individualized discussion with a qualified clinician. No treatment guarantees a particular result.