Injuries

Injuries related to the foot and ankle are common due to various conditions and reasons, such as in sports activities, day-to-day activities and accidents. These injuries range from mild sprains to severe conditions such as fractures. Below are some of the standard foot and ankle injuries that occur.

Sprained Ankle – A sprained ankle occurs when the ligaments supporting the ankle joints get torn or stretched. This disorder occurs due to sudden foot twists, which cause extreme pain, swelling, and walking difficulties.

Achilles Tendonitis – The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bones. Achilles Tendonitis is an ankle injury where inflammation of the tendons happens. This condition has occurred due to overuse or repetitive strain. Achilles Tendonitis causes stiffness, pain and swelling in the backward part of the ankle.

Plantar Fasciitis – In plantar fasciitis, inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot connecting the heel and the toes, occurs. Plantar Fasciitis causes pain in the heels, mainly in the morning hours or after resting for a couple of times.

Stress Fracture – Stress fracture is an ankle injury where small cracks in the bones are caused by repetitive force or overuse on the ankles and foot. This fracture results in causing pain, swelling and tenderness.

Ankle Fracture – The breakdown of single or multiple bones that make up the ankle joints happens in ankle fractures. Ankle fractures occur due to sudden injury, falls or direct blows to the ankles. This ankle injury results in severe pain, bruising, swelling and problems while lifting weights.

Turf Toe – Turf toe is an injury where pain occurs around the ligaments of the big toe joints. A turf toe is caused by the hyperextension of the more extensive toes during physical activities. This injury leads to pain and swelling and causes limitations in the movement of the toes.

Bunios -  Bunios is an ankle injury in which a bony lump occurs in the base of the big toes. Bunions develop when big toes get pushed against the adjacent toes, which causes sticking out of the joints. Bunions are so painful that they force you to wear footwear.

Morton Neuroma – A type of ankle injury affecting the nerves between the toes and the third and fourth toes. This injury causes extreme pain in the ball of the foot.

Medical consultants advise and can be the best to follow when these ankle injuries occur. Treatment options for this injury include rest, compression, elevation, physical therapies, medication, embolisation with braces or casts and in the most severe conditions, surgical operation is the only option left.