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Ankle & Foot

Ankle Fracture - Broken Ankle

Ankle Fracture - Broken Ankle


An ankle fracture is also known as a broken ankle. The term covers a fracture (break) to one or more of the multiple bones that make up the ankle joint. Ankle fractures are a common injury and effect people of all ages. They are normally the result of high impact trauma like car or motorcycle accidents or landing awkwardly after a trip or fall where the ankle rolls and twists with weight behind it.

An ankle fracture has very similar symptoms to an ankle sprain only pain levels are much more severe. An ankle fracture from trauma causes a very intense immediate sharp pain around the fracture site this pain can radiate up into the shin, calf and knee and down into the foot. The fracture is often accompanied by swelling, bruising and visible joint deformity and is aggravated by any foot movements this makes weight bearing and walking excruciating.



 
Achilles Tendon Tear or Rupture

Achilles Tendon Tear or Rupture


An Achilles tendon rupture is the term for tissue damage that results in a complete tear of the Achilles tendon. If the Achilles tendon is only partially torn it is classed as a tear rather than a rupture. It is a common injury and is normally seen between the ages of 20 and 40 however tendonitis of the Achilles tendon is a more common injury. Ruptures or tears are normally seen in individuals who partake in a lot of athletic sports in particular running, tennis and football where quick and forceful directional changes need to be made.

Symptoms include a very intense immediate severe sharp pain around the back of the ankle, a partial tear of the tendon will also feel sudden and sharp but the pain will be less severe than that of a rupture. The pain will radiate up into the shin, calf and knee and down into the foot. In some cases a tearing or snapping noise is heard during the injury.



 
Sprained Toe

Sprained Toe


Toe sprains are a common injury and effect people of all ages; they are normally the result of stubbing your foot or kicking something awkwardly. It can occur during sports, for example from football tackles or from dancing especially ballet where there is a lot of repetitive stress and pressure endured when balancing on the tips of the toes.

Symptoms begin as an intense, immediate, sharp pain around the site of the sprained ligament. This pain can radiate up into the front of the foot, down into the sole and occasionally into the ankle. In some cases a tearing or snapping noise is heard during the injury. The sprain will be accompanied by swelling and bruising that will be incredibly tender to touch.



 
Navicular Stress Fracture - Broken Foot

Navicular Stress Fracture - Broken Foot


Navicular stress fractures are most common in the young people who participate in athletic sports. A stress fracture normally occurs as the result of a gradual build up in tension and micro-trauma from the connecting tibialis posterior muscle.

Symptoms include a gradual onset of a dull ache around the fracture site on the inside of the foot. This pain often radiates down into the sole of the foot, up into the ankle and occasionally into the heel. The pain levels will feel quite low to begin with but will most likely be aggravated by activities that include impact through the foot, for example running, football and dancing. The stress fracture may be accompanied by a small amount of swelling and bruising and in severe cases the pain levels will be aggravated by most ankle and foot movements. This can make weight bearing and walking very painful.



 
Dislocated Toe

Dislocated Toe


Dislocation of one of the toe joints is a relatively common injury and can affect people of all ages. It is normally the result of severe impact, such as kicking something awkwardly or kicking a hard object. It can be a common injury during sports like football during tackles when a player kicks an opponent's boot or from dancing and awkwardly landing on the toe.

Symptoms include an intense, immediate, sharp pain around the dislocated joint, with pain that often radiates up into the front of the foot and down into the sole of the foot. In some cases a tearing or snapping noise is heard during the injury. The dislocation will be accompanied by intense swelling and bruising and there will be visible joint deformity with the far end of the joint hanging limply.



 
Metatarsal Fracture - Broken Foot

Metatarsal Fracture - Broken Foot


Metatarsal fractures are most common in the young people and are generally the result of high impact trauma or a severely sprained ankle. The injury is common in sports like football, normally as the result of a tackle that has ended in a direct blow to the opposition's shoe or having your foot stood on during or after the tackle. Severe ankle sprains from impact or landing from a jump awkwardly can torsion the foot with excessive force and result in multiple metatarsal fractures.

Symptoms include very intense, immediate, sharp pain around the fracture site. This pain often radiates up into the ankle and shin and down into the sole of the foot and toes. The fracture can be accompanied by swelling and bruising and is aggravated by most ankle and foot movements.



 
Morton's Neuroma

Morton's Neuroma


Morton's neuroma can happen to anyone at any age and can be the result of many different causes although the exact reason for onset is not always known. The condition is commonly seen in those who are athletic and play sports that involve spending a lot of time jumping from or landing on the tips of toes. Tight and high heeled shoes that squeeze the front of the foot are also a major factor in the development and further irritation of the condition. Due to this, there are considerably more cases of Morton's neuroma recorded in females than in males.

Symptoms normally start as discomfort, numbness and mild pins & needles around the ball of the foot and into the toes occasionally accompanied by sharp pains.



 
Cuboid Syndrome

Cuboid Syndrome


Cuboid syndrome is a partial dislocation, (sometimes referred to as a subluxation) of the cuboid bone, which is located on the outside edge of the mid foot just below the ankle. It is most commonly seen in the younger population who participate in athletic sports. The dislocation normally occurs as the result of a gradual build up in tension from the connecting lower leg and foot muscles or from one traumatic incident.

Sudden trauma will cause severe, sharp pain around the cuboid. Repetitive strain symptoms normally include a gradual onset of a dull ache around the cuboid on the outside edge of the foot. This pain often radiates down into the sole of the foot and up into the ankle. The pain levels will initially feel quite low but will most likely be aggravated by sporting activities in particular anything that includes standing on tip toes. There may be a small amount of swelling and bruising and in severe cases the foot will feel weak when walking and running.



 
Cuboid Stress Fracture - Broken Foot

Cuboid Stress Fracture - Broken Foot


Cuboid stress fractures are most common in the young people who participate in athletic sports like running or dancing. The stress fracture generally occurs as the result of a gradual build up in tension and micro-trauma from the connecting lower leg and foot muscles. Wearing inappropriate and unsupportive footwear and training on hard unforgiving surfaces can both be factors responsible for causing a cuboid stress fracture.

Symptoms normally include a gradual onset of a dull ache around the fracture site along the outside edge of the foot. This pain often radiates down into the sole of the foot and up into the ankle. The pain levels to begin with will feel quite low but will most likely be aggravated by sporting activities that include impact through the foot, such as running, football and dancing. The stress fracture may be accompanied by a small amount of swelling and bruising. In severe cases the pain levels will be aggravated by most ankle and foot movements making weight bearing and walking very painful.



 
Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Foot

Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Foot


Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a relatively common condition affecting three times more women than men and normally developing between the ages of 40 to 50, although it can affect people at any age. RA has the ability to develop in any joint of the body but most commonly it affects the small bones of the feet, wrists and hands. It normally develops symmetrically affecting the same joint on both sides of the body.

Symptoms begin as joint and muscle stiffness, particularly in the early mornings with symptoms starting to ease 2-3 hours after getting up. After a few weeks the same joints that have been stiff may become painful and swollen. The pain will feel like a deep throbbing ache that is aggravated by rest and certain levels of activity. The swelling levels during a flare up also cause the skin around the joint to be extremely tender and slightly warm to the touch.



 
Retrocalcaneal Bursitis

Retrocalcaneal Bursitis


Retrocalcaneal bursitis most commonly occurs as s result of repetitive activity that encourages the calf muscles to tighten and shorten from overuse, like repetitively wearing high heels, running and even wearing tight shoes that pinch at the back of the heel. Symptoms normally include a constant dull ache or burning pain at the back of the heel that is aggravated by any touch or pressure from tight shoes or movement of the ankle joint. There will normally be noticeable swelling around the back of the heel. In cases of bursitis caused by infection the skin around the affected joint will appear red and will feel incredibly warm to the touch. Additional symptoms are a high temperature and feverish chills.

Retrocalcaneal bursitis is very similar to Achilles bursitis as the bursae are very close in proximity and symptoms are almost identical however retrocalcaneal bursitis is a lot more common.



 
Sinus Tarsi Syndrome

Sinus Tarsi Syndrome


Sinus tarsi syndrome is a relatively common condition. It is most often seen in people who have hypermobile or weak ankles and suffer from repetitive ankle sprains. It is also commonly seen in people whose arches have fallen and have very flat feet.

Symptoms can be a very intense, immediate sharp pain or dull ache around the outside of the ankle. The pain can at times radiate up into the lower leg or further down into the foot. The pain will be accompanied by local swelling and possibly bruising and will be incredibly tender to touch. Pain levels will be aggravated by any side to side foot movements and in particular walking and running on uneven surfaces. Stiffness and dull aches are normally experienced during the night and are most intense early in the mornings easing with movement.