The repetitive jumping and side to side movements required in volleyball increase the risk of injuries to the foot and ankle. Volleyball players should be aware of the following: Inversion ankle sprains are a common injury in this sport. Ankle sprains should be evaluated by a foot and ankle surgeon

Tennis involves a great deal of foot work. Foot and ankle injuries can occur from the continuous side to side and quick stopping and starting motions required in this sport. The playing surface also plays a role, as hard courts are less forgiving compared to clay courts. Tennis players should be aware

Your feet and ankles take a beating when you’re playing softball. Softball players should be aware of the following risks: Ankle sprains may occur while running, fielding balls, stepping on or sliding into bases. Sprains should be evaluated by a foot and ankle surgeon to determine the extent

Soccer is hard on the feet! Injuries to the foot and ankle can occur from running and side to side cutting, sliding or tackling, and from striking the ball or another player with the foot. Soccer players should be aware of the following risks: Inversion ankle sprains can damage the ankle ligaments,

Whether an athlete is a recreational, competitive, or elite runner, foot and ankle health is essential for optimal performance. Runners are susceptible to overuse injuries including heel pain (plantar fasciitis), Achilles tendonitis, sesamoiditis, neuromas, capsulitis of the second toe, stress

Rugby is hard on the feet and ankles! Injuries can occur from running and cutting, direct trauma during tackling, and during the scrum. Rugby players should be aware of the following risks: Inversion ankle sprains can damage the ankle ligaments, and can also be associated with peroneal tendon

The running and side to side cutting in lacrosse are common causes of injuries to the foot and ankle. Lacrosse players should be aware of the following risks:  Inversion ankle sprains can damage the ankle ligaments, and can also be associated with peroneal tendon injuries and fractures.  Ankle

Although golf doesn’t involve running or jumping, injuries do occur to the foot and ankle. Golfers should be aware of the following risks: Heel pain (or plantar fasciitis) can be exacerbated by excessive walking on the golf course.  The golf swing can also place stress upon the feet and

Football players can receive injuries to the foot and ankle due to running, side to side cutting, or from direct trauma, such as from another player during a tackle. They should be aware of the following risks: Inversion ankle sprains can damage the ankle ligaments, and can also be associated

The running and side to side cutting in field hockey are common causes of injuries to the foot and ankle. Field hockey players should be aware of the following risks: Inversion ankle sprains can damage the ankle ligaments, and can also be associated with peroneal tendon injuries and fractures.  Ankle

Feet and ankles take a beating in basketball! Injuries can occur from running, jumping, cutting, quick starts and stops, and direct contact with other players. Basketball players should be aware of the following: Inversion ankle sprains can damage the ankle ligaments, and can also be associated

Your feet and ankles take a beating when you’re playing baseball. Baseball players should be aware of the following risks. Ankle sprains may occur while running, fielding balls, stepping on or sliding into bases. Sprains should be evaluated by a foot and ankle surgeon to determine the extent of

What Is the Achilles Tendon? A tendon is a band of tissue that connects a muscle to a bone. The Achilles tendon runs down the back of the lower leg and connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Also called the “heel cord,” the Achilles tendon facilitates walking by helping to raise the heel off

Cold feet are most commonly a result of medical conditions that cause poor blood flow in the legs or feet, such as peripheral vascular disease (PVD), a blockage or narrowing of the arteries, Raynauds’s phenomenon (cold sensitivity which causes a spasm of the blood vessels), and heart disease. Some

Clubfoot (congenital talipes equinovarus) is a deformity that is present at birth in about one in every 1,000 children. It occurs in males more often than females, and can affect one or both feet. The feet of an infant with clubfoot point down and inward. It is not painful, but must be corrected to

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,

What Is Charcot Foot?Charcot foot is a condition causing weakening of the bones in the foot that can occur in people who have significant nerve damage (neuropathy). The bones are weakened enough to fracture, and with continued walking the foot eventually changes shape. As the disorder progresses, the

What is Cavus Foot? Cavus foot is a condition in which the foot has a very high arch. Because of this high arch, an excessive amount of weight is placed on the ball and heel of the foot when walking or standing. Cavus foot can lead to a variety of signs and symptoms, such as pain and instability. It

What is Capsulitis of the Second Toe? Ligaments surrounding the joint at the base of the second toe form a “capsule,” which helps the joint to function properly. Capsulitis is a condition in which these ligaments have become inflamed.   Although capsulitis can also occur in the joints of the

Calf pain can result from many different causes. Sometimes something as simple as over-activity causes muscle strain in the calf. Or, dietary imbalances may cause cramping in the calf. However, calf pain may be a symptom of more serious problems as well. Poor blood flow to the legs (peripheral vascular

What Is Calcaneal Apophysitis? Calcaneal apophysitis is a painful inflammation of the heel’s growth plate. It typically affects children between the ages of 8 and 14 years old, because the heel bone (calcaneus) is not fully developed until at least age 14. Until then, new bone is forming at the growth

Bursitis is an inflammation of a small fluid-filled sac, called a bursa, located near a joint, bone or tendon.  The bursa, which protects the area from friction, can become inflamed from repetitive motion or irritation from shoes.  In the foot, the heel and the toes are most often affected. Symptoms

Even though bunions are a common foot deformity, there are misconceptions about them. Many people may unnecessarily suffer the pain of bunions for years before seeking treatment.   What is a Bunion? A bunion (also referred to as hallux valgus or hallux abducto valgus) is often described as a bump

Brachymetatarsia is a condition in which one of the bones in the front of the foot is significantly shorter than the others. Although it may affect any of the five metatarsals, it most commonly affects the fourth metatarsal. Looking at the foot, it might appear that the fourth toe itself is shorter than

Bone tumors are caused by an abnormal growth of cells. They may be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Although rare, bone tumors can occur in the foot and ankle. They can be primary (originating in the bone), or secondary (originating in another part of the body). Symptoms of a bone tumor

Osteomyelitis (an infection of the bone) can be caused by a variety of microbial agents (bacteria, fungus), the most common of which is staphylococcus aureus. This serious infection can occur from a number of sources: • It may enter bone through an injury, such as an open fracture with the bone

How Does a Bone Heal?   All broken bones go through the same healing process. This is true whether a bone has been cut as part of a surgical procedure or fractured through an injury.  The bone healing process has three overlapping

Arch supports are devices that are placed into one’s shoes to support the arch and diminish or eliminate pain. A foot and ankle surgeon may provide advice on which type is best for your foot type, and you may be able to obtain arch supports from the doctor’s office. Arch supports can also be purchased

Pain across the bottom of the foot at any point between the heel and the ball of the foot is often referred to as "arch pain." Although this description is non-specific, most arch pain is due to strain or inflammation of the plantar fascia (a long ligament on the bottom of the foot). This condition is

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. In the ankle joint, ligaments provide stability by

Ankle pain is often due to an ankle sprain but 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

What Is an Ankle Fracture? A fracture is 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 shattering-type breaks of the tibia, fibula, or both. Ankle fractures are common injuries

Arthritis is a general term for a group of more than 100 diseases. “Arthritis” means “joint inflammation.” 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

What is the Achilles Tendon?  A tendon is a band of tissue that connects a muscle to a bone. The Achilles tendon runs down the back of the lower leg and connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Also called the "heel cord," the Achilles tendon facilitates walking by helping to raise the heel off

What is the Accessory Navicular?  The accessory navicular (os navicularum or os tibiale externum) is an extra bone or piece of cartilage located on the inner side of the foot just above the arch. It is incorporated within the posterior tibial tendon, which attaches in this area.   An accessory navicular