Orthopedics

Foot and Ankle Care

Foot and ankle pain refers to any pain or discomfort caused by injury in the foot, like sprain, strain, fracture, or by a medical condition, like arthritis. The ankle is the most frequently injured joint in the body. Heel pain occurs at the plantar surface or the back surface of the heel. Chronic ankle and foot pain can affect people's baseline activities and their lifestyle.

Foot and ankle injuries can often occur in full-time athletes who are continuously involved in sports activities. Mild injuries can weaken your foot and ankle structure which can lead to chronic pain or instability. Injuries such as a stress fracture can be challenging to treat as repetitive trauma doesn’t allow the body to heal completely.

Symptoms

Symptoms of foot and ankle disorder will vary based on the type of injury. Common symptoms include :

Tenderness at joint level
Stiffness in the joint
Pain while moving
Tendon irritation, and inflammation
Inability to perform weight bearing on the ankle joint
Bruising
Popping sounds at the back of the heel
Thickening of tendons
Osteoarthritis symptoms
Blocked blood vessels
Infection symptoms
Nerves irritation
Gout

Causes

The causes of ankle disorder vary and can include twisting or rotation of the ankle, tripping and falling, muscles weakness , excess strain on the Achilles tendon, bone spurs in the heel, untreated flat feet, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis

Diagnosis

Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and ask about medical history to diagnose an ankle disorder, bone fractures or tendon tears. These tests include :

Physical examination
MRI
CT scans
X-rays

Treatment

The treatment depends on the causes of foot and ankle injury. The goal is to reduce pain and inflammation, increase flexibility, reduce excessive stress on the ankle and promote healing. The doctor will recommend you with the best treatment, which may include :

Activity modification
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Pads or arch to support shoes
Physical therapy
Cryotherapy for ankle for at least 20 minutes with required intervals
Wrapping the injured ankle with an elastic bandage.
If your ankle pain occurs due to arthritis, the conservative management will be limited
Steroid injections may be used to reduce pain and inflammation.
Surgery is required to fix bones, joints, tendons and ligaments in the ankle, and restore their normal functions as much as
Arthroplasty is usually done because of ankle osteoarthritis which failed in conservative management.

Prevention

Foot and ankle injuries can be prevented by maintaining good physical fitness and strength. Regular exercising is essential for maintaining good balance and building strong bones. Stretching and warming up before physical activity can prevent ankle disorder. Wearing comfortable shoes that provide ankle support can avoid twisting of ankles. Most ankle injuries can be avoided by taking proper precautions. You should consult your doctor immediately in case of suspected injuries.

At Adam Vital Hospital, we have the best team of Orthopaedic surgeons who will help you understand the cause of pain and choices of treatment. We are among the best orthopaedic hospitals in Dubai providing treatment for all kinds of injuries including hand and wrist injury and help you in returning to an active lifestyle.