There are 26 bones in the human foot. Some people have extra bones (accessory ossicles) which are usually congenital (present at birth) but may also be due to previous trauma. These extra bones, which can occur with any bone in the foot, can be painless (asymptomatic) and are only noticed when the foot is x-rayed. Sometimes they are painful and cause significant discomfort. This pain can usually be treated by the foot and ankle surgeon using a variety of non-surgical measures,
Dancing places more physical demand on the foot and ankle and increases their risk of injury. Ballet dancers also have added risk of foot and ankle injury because of specific positions, such as en pointe and demi-pointe, which can add stress to the toes and ball of the foot. Common dancer’s injuries include: Dancer’s Fracture or fifth metatarsal fracture is often the result of landing awkwardly on the outside portion of the foot or twisting the ankle. Lateral Ankle Sprain is a common injury among athletes. This
Sizing Crutches To set your crutches to the proper distance: Crutch pad distance from armpits: The crutch pads (tops of crutches) should be 4cms to 5cms (about two finger widths) below the armpits, with the shoulders relaxed. Handgrip: Place it so your elbow is slightly bent—enough so you can fully extend your elbow when you take a step. Crutch length (top to bottom): The total crutch length should equal the distance from your armpit to about 15cms in front of a shoe. Begin in the Tripod Position The
What Is an Ankle Sprain? An ankle sprain is an injury to one or more ligaments in the ankle, usually on the outside of the ankle. Ligaments are bands of tissue—like rubber bands—that connect one bone to another and bind the joints together. The severity of an ankle sprain depends on whether the ligament is stretched, partially torn or completely torn, as well as on the number of ligaments involved. Ankle sprains are not the same as strains, which affect muscles
Thera are a lot of causes for Ankle pain. Ankle pain is often due to an ankle sprain but it can also be caused by ankle instability, arthritis, gout, tendonitis, fracture, nerve compression (tarsal tunnel syndrome), infection and poor structural alignment of the leg or foot. Ankle pain can be associated with swelling, stiffness, redness and warmth in the involved area. The pain is often described as an intense dull ache that occurs upon weightbearing and ankle motion. Initial treatment may
Chronic Ankle Instability What Is Chronic Ankle Instability? Chronic ankle instability is a condition characterized by a recurring giving way of the outer (lateral) side of the ankle. This condition often develops after repeated ankle sprains. Usually, the giving way occurs while walking or doing other activities, but it can also happen when you’re just standing. Many athletes, as well as others, will suffer from chronic ankle instability. People with chronic ankle instability often complain of: A repeated giving way of the ankle,
What Is an Ankle Fracture? A partial or complete break in a bone. Fractures in the ankle can range from the less serious avulsion injuries (small pieces of bone that have been pulled off) to severe fractures of the tibia, fibula or both. Ankle fractures are very common injuries most often caused by the ankle moving inward or outward. An ankle fracture can easily be mistaken for an ankle sprain, but they are quite different and therefore require an accurate and
Ankle Arthritis Arthritis is a general term for a group of more than 100 diseases. Arthritis means “joint inflammation and degeneration.” When it affects the ankle joint, it can produce swelling and pain and may eventually result in deformity, loss of joint function and decreased ability to walk. The most common form of ankle arthritis is osteoarthritis. For more information on this topic, read “Osteoarthritis of the Foot and Ankle.” Similar symptoms may be caused by another form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis. Arthrodesis and walking Ankle
Diabetes Complications and Amputation Prevention Diabetics have two major problems: Neuropathy and Poor circulation. Neuropathy causes loss of feeling in your feet, taking away your ability to feel pain, so you may not detect an injury or a problem in your feet. Poor circulation reduces your ability to heal, making it hard for even a tiny cut to resist infection. Having diabetes increases the risk of developing a wide range of foot problems. Furthermore, with diabetes, small foot problems can turn into serious
Foot Pain Our feet are not only bones and muscles, but they also have ligaments and tendons, too. Feet carry our body weight all day every day! So no surprise foot pain is very common! Sometimes, you might feel pain at the top of your foot that is uncomfortable when walking and even standing still. The degree of this pain depends on the cause and if there are any associated injuries. What causes pain on top of the foot? Most common causes are due