Foot & Ankle

What are the causes of foot and ankle pain?

Some of the more common causes of foot and ankle pain include:

• Arthritis
• Ligament tears
• Sprains
• Loose cartilage
• Fractures
• Gout
• Plantar fasciitis
• Bursitis
• Tendinitis

Foot and ankle pain may be due to abnormalities in the foot or ankle structures, gradual deterioration of the tissues, or trauma, such as a sports injury.

What sports injuries can cause foot and ankle pain?

The most common causes of foot and ankle pain from sports injuries that Dr. Bostick sees are:

Achilles tendinitis

Achilles tendinitis is an inflammation of the strong band of tissue connecting your calf muscle to your heel. It's a condition that frequently affects athletes when they place too much stress on the Achilles tendon, which results in tearing.

Improper technique and overuse are the most common triggers, but the flattening of the arch or trauma can also be responsible. Symptoms of Achilles tendinitis include tenderness, stiffness, and swelling, and dull pain when walking. Achilles tendinitis makes you more vulnerable to rupture your Achilles tendon, causing sudden, severe pain, swelling, and trouble walking.

Ankle sprain

Sprains involve the stretching or rupture of ligaments, the fibrous tissues that hold bones in place. An ankle sprain happens when you stretch a ligament in your ankle too far by twisting the joint or rolling your foot. A sprained ankle may be unable to support your weight and could develop long-term instability.

Shin splints

Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome) cause pain down your shins that typically develops after exercise. Shin splints could affect you when you start a new training program after being inactive for a while or if you intensify your existing training.

The pain is due to the inflammation of a thin tissue layer covering your tibia (shin bone), the bone itself, and the muscles that help you push off your feet and flex your toes.

How is foot and ankle pain treated?

Diagnosing the cause of your foot and ankle pain is the first step. Dr. Bostick performs a thorough physical examination and a review of your symptoms and medical history and may need you to have an onsite X-ray or other diagnostic imaging test. This is important, as injuries like fractures and bad sprains can cause similar symptoms but require different treatments.

Potential treatment methods for foot and ankle pain include:

• Rest and activity modification  
• Ice packs
• Pain medication
• Physical therapy
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
• Orthotics
• Walking boot or crutches
• Steroid injections

Surgery might be necessary if conservative treatments are unsuccessful or unsuitable; for example, severe ankle arthritis may require a joint replacement. Dr. Bostick uses minimally invasive techniques, including arthroscopy, to examine and treat damaged tissues.

He can repair or reconstruct tendons and ligaments, fix fractured bones, and remove inflamed tissues, depending on the cause of your foot and ankle pain.

For expert care of your foot and ankle pain, call Metairie Orthopedics & Sports Medicine today or book an appointment online.