Foot and Ankle Pain and Injuries

Your feet support the weight of your whole body, so when pain occurs, it's hard to avoid& ndash; and can be very debilitating to an active lifestyle. Whether you're experiencing arch, top or ball of foot pain, or tendon and tissue pain, it can have many sources, from fractures and sprains to nerve damage.

Plantar fasciitis

People with plantar fasciitis often experience severe pain in the heel of the foot, especially when standing up after resting. The pain can be especially bad first thing in the morning. This condition is due to an overuse injury of the sole surface (plantar) of the foot and causes inflammation of the fascia, a tough, fibrous band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the base of the toes. Plantar fasciitis is more common in women, overweight patients, people with occupations that require a lot of walking or standing on hard surfaces, as well as those with flat feet or high arches.

Treatment may include:

Rest
Ice pack applications
Medications
Physical therapy and specific stretching exercises

Achilles tendon injury

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body and connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. It is also the most common site of injury or tendonitis. Achilles tendonitis is caused by overuse of the tendon and calf muscles. Symptoms may include mild pain after exercise that worsens gradually, stiffness that disappears after the tendon warms up, and swelling.

Treatment may include: