Foot Conditions
Foot and ankle injuries can happen in a fall or from wear and tear from everyday activities or even from ill-fitting shoes. When injury occurs, the foot and ankle’s ability to function is disrupted, impacting the intricate workings of bones, muscles, ligaments and other structures.
Flatfoot Symptoms
Flattened arches are caused by a number of issues. In adults, they often come from problems with the main tendon just behind the inside bone of your ankle.
- Flattened arch
- Difficulty going up on your toes
- Prominent bump on the inside of the foot
- Foot and toes pointing outwards (laterally)
- Pain behind the inside bone of the ankle (early)
- Pain in the outside part of the foot, just below the ankle (late)
- Pain in the arch of the foot
Bunion Symptoms
Bunions occur from the big toe pointing outwards (laterally), giving the appearance of a “bump” on the side of the big toe.
Pain (mild to severe) in big toe or foot
- Pain can be constant or happen periodically
- The appearance of a bump on side of the big toe
- Restricted range of movement in big toe or foot
- Swelling and redness around a joint in the big toe
- Big toe pushing on the second toe or even overlapping it
- Calluses or corns on the inside of the big toe, or underneath the base of the second toe.
Hammer Toe Symptoms
Hammer toes are toes that are abnormally pushed up with the tips curved downwards.
- Pain and redness, and even skin being rubbed off, at the top of the toe at the middle joint
- Callouses at the tips of the toes where they curve downwards
- Pain that is worse when wearing a shoe
- Pain underneath the ball of the foot
Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms
Plantar Fasciitis occurs when the ligament from the heel to the forefoot becomes inflamed from overuse.
- Sharp heel pain, may start as mild pain in heel
- Pain can arise after activity, rather than during
- Pain when walking after a long period of inactivity, such as sleep or sitting
- Limited swelling in affected area
- May affect one or both feet
Achilles Tendon Injury Symptoms
Achilles Tendon injuries are common injuries that can occur from sports or from repetitive loads in unhealthy tissue. They can include tendinitis or ruptures (tears).
- Noise such as a "pop" or "snap" heard when it was injured
- Pain and swelling near heel
- Trouble walking normally
- Unable to point the foot downwards.
- Inability to go up on toes on affected foot
Fracture Symptoms
Fractures, or broken bones, usually happen after an injury such as falling or twisting one’s foot, dropping objects on the foot, or higher-energy injuries such as car, motorcycle, or snowmobile accidents. However, they can also be caused by overuse, or, in weak bone, they can even result from normal activity.
- Pain around the fracture area
- Swelling and potential bruising
- Area is tender to the touch
- Increased pain with activity, relieved with rest
Morton's Neuroma Symptoms
A Morton's Neuroma can occur when the nerve between the bases of toes is irritated.
- Pain and burning sensation at the ball of the foot
- Pain may radiate to toes
- Pain may increase with activity
- Pain usually alleviated by removing the shoe
- Numb or tingling feeling in toes
- No outward signs are usually visible
Sprained Ankle Symptoms
An ankle becomes sprained when ligaments stretch beyond what they can bear.
- Pain, increased with activity
- Tenderness to touch, usually on the outside (lateral) part of the ankle just below or in front of the side ankle bone
- Swelling, which can often be very dramatic
- Bruising around the ankle
- Reduced range of movement
- Feeling that the ankle is unstable
- Sound of a "pop" may be heard at time of injury
