Foot & Ankle Care

Common Foot & Ankle Conditions

The foot combines mechanical complexity and structural strength. It supports and balances our body’s weight while standing, as well as raising and moving the body in a forward and backward motion when walking. The ankle serves as foundation, shock absorber, and propulsion engine.

The ankle is a hinge-type, freely moving joint that consists of a capsule containing fluid which both nourishes and lubricates the joint making motion possible between the foot and the leg.

The foot and ankle contain:

  • 28 small bones (one-quarter of the bones in the human body)
  • 33 joints
  • More than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments
  • A network of blood vessels, nerves, skin, and soft tissue

These components work together to provide the body with support, balance, and mobility.

Foot Pain

The foot is a complex mechanical structure that balances the weight of the body while providing support and mobility. Pain in the foot may only be a minor nuisance, but long-lasting or intense discomfort can be a sign of a serious condition or injury that requires treatment.

Sudden (acute) injuries – such as ligament sprains, muscle strains, and bone fractures – can occur during sports activities or simply activities like walking on uneven surfaces. Occupations that require long periods of standing or walking can also cause stress to the structures in the foot, leading to painful conditions such as stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and tendonitis.

Footwear can also cause foot injury. For instance, wearing shoes that fit too tightly or have high heels can cause bunions, misalignment of the toes, or other foot pain. Additionally, some conditions like diabetes, arthritis, and bursitis can cause painful symptoms in the feet.

Ankle Pain

The ankle is a hard-working joint that connects the lower leg to the foot and supports the body’s weight. Ankle pain may be felt in any part of the complex system of ligaments, muscles, tendons, or bones that make up the ankle area. People experiencing ankle pain or who have an ankle injury may have swelling, stiffness, bruising, or tenderness in and around their ankle, or have difficulty walking.

While sports injuries are a common cause of ankle pain, it is possible to incur injury or pain with simple activities, such as stepping on an uneven surface. Pain in the ankle may be acute, or sudden, as in the case of an Achilles tendon rupture, that frequently occurs during sports activity like running, gymnastics, football, basketball, or tennis. Ankle pain can also develop over time from repetitive motions associated with sports, work, or everyday life, causing conditions like tendonitis or tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Conditions We Treat

At Golden State Orthopedics & Spine, we provide comprehensive care and treatment for conditions of the foot and ankle.

Common causes of foot and ankle pain include:

Ready to address your orthopedic concerns? Take the first step towards better musculoskeletal health by scheduling a consultation with our experienced orthopedic specialists.