Foot & Ankle Pain Treatment

At Banner Health, our foot and ankle team consisting of orthopedic surgeons and podiatrist use the latest research and technology to treat foot and ankle problems. Our team is skilled and experienced in treating all foot and ankle issues. We are dedicated to providing high-quality care for our patients. We can work with you to design a treatment plan and get you back on your feet.

What causes foot and ankle pain?

Foot and ankle pain can result from wear and tear on cartilage, soft tissue, or bones, as well as from injuries or medical conditions like arthritis.

Constant pressure on the feet and ankles makes them vulnerable to various stress factors. A problem with the ankles and feet often leads to inflammation, pain and limited movement and flexibility.

If left untreated or mistreated, ankle and foot problems can lead to chronic pain and long-term complications. It is highly recommended to seek prompt and appropriate treatment for pain, swelling, or severe stiffness in the ankles and feet.

Common ankle and foot injuries

Ankle and foot pain may be the result of a recent injury, such as a sprain or fracture, often occurring due to a misstep or fall on an uneven surface. Some common foot and ankle injuries include:

• Achilles tendonitis: Inflammation of the Achilles tendon, causing pain and stiffness in the back of the heel bone, especially when pushing off with the toes.
• Achilles tendon rupture: A complete tear of the Achilles tendon, resulting in sudden severe heel pain and an inability to push off with the toes.
• Ankle sprains: The most common foot and ankle injury, occurring when ligaments stretching or tearing cause pain, swelling, bruising and difficulty walking.
• Metatarsal fractures: Breaks in the long bones of the midfoot, often caused by dropping objects or twisting the foot while jumping, leading to pain, swelling and bruising on the top of the foot.
• Sesamoiditis: Inflammation of the sesamoid bones under the big toe joint, leading to pain when walking or putting pressure on the forefoot.
• Stress fractures: Tiny cracks in a bone caused by repetitive stress, common in athletes, with pain worsening with activity and improving with rest.
• Turf toe: Injury to the joint at the base of the big toe, often from hyperextension (bending back) during athletic activities, causing pain, swelling and bruising at the base of the big toe.

Common ankle and foot conditions

Ankle and foot pain is often caused by an injured ankle or foot. However, it can also be the result of a medical condition. Conditions that can affect the foot and ankle include:

• Blocked blood vessels: Occurs when plaque builds up in artery walls, restricting blood flow.
• Gout: Another form of arthritis caused by excess uric acid in the bloodstream that forms crystals in the joints and soft tissue in our extremities, characterized by sudden and severe pain.
• Joint infection (septic arthritis): Bacteria gets into a joint and causes rapid cartilage and bone deterioration and severe pain.
• Osteoarthritis: Damage and wear to the hard, slippery cartilage that covers the end of bones that form a joint.
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD): Arteries that supply blood to the outer (peripheral) parts of the body become narrow or blocked.
• Peripheral neuropathy: Nerve damage that can affect the feet and ankles. It can be caused by a variety of conditions, such as diabetes, alcoholism and autoimmune diseases. Symptoms can include pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness.
• Reactive arthritis: An inflammatory condition that can affect the ankles after an infection in another part of the body, such as the urinary tract or gastrointestinal system. 
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): Chronic autoimmune condition that primarily affects the joints, causing inflammation, pain, stiffness and potential joint deformities. It can also impact other organs in the body. 
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome: Compression of the tibial nerve in the ankle, which can lead to pain, numbness, tingling and burning in the foot and ankle.

Other conditions that cause foot pain

Because the foot is more complex than the ankle, there are several other conditions that could be causing pain there. These foot conditions include:

• Athlete’s foot: Fungal infection that cause itching, burning, scaling and thickening of the skin or nails.
• Bunions: Bony bumps that form at the base of the big toe due to misalignment of the joint. They can cause pain, redness and difficulty wearing shoes.
• Corns and calluses: Areas of thickened skin that develop due to friction and pressure.
• Diabetic foot ulcers: Open sores on the feet that can develop in people with diabetes due to poor circulation and neuropathy. These require prompt medical attention to prevent infection and serious complications.
• Flat feet (pes planus): The arches of the foot collapse completely or partially, sometimes leading to pain in the feet and ankles.
• Haglund’s deformity: A bony enlargement on the back of the heel.
• Hammertoes: Deformity where the toes bend abnormally, often due to muscle imbalance or wearing ill-fitting shoes. This can lead to pain, irritation and corns.
• High arches: Excessive arching can also cause pain and discomfort in the feet and ankles.
• Ingrown toenails: The corner or edge of a toenail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, and swelling.
• Morton’s neuroma: A painful thickening of tissue around a nerve in the bottom of the foot, typically between the third and fourth toes, causing discomfort and difficulty walking.
• Plantar fasciitis: Inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and supports the arch. A common symptom of plantar fasciitis is sharp heel pain, particularly noticeable in the morning. 
• Raynaud's disease: A condition that causes the blood vessels in the fingers and toes to constrict in response to cold or stress, leading to numbness, tingling and discoloration of the skin.
• Reaction to medication: A side effect that can lead to swelling.
• Warts: Plantar warts are small, noncancerous growths that appear on the soles or bottoms of the feet, often caused by a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

Foot and ankle treatment

Mild foot and ankle problems or injuries can often be managed at home with rest, ice, compression, elevation of the foot and ankle and techniques for reducing swelling. During this time, it's important to modify your activity to avoid further limiting your range of motion. If the injury is severe, avoid bearing weight on the affected foot until you can see a foot and ankle specialist.

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain and anti-inflammatory medication can ease symptoms and allow for healing. Mild ankle sprains can be treated with a wrap or splint to stabilize the ankle.

Medical treatment

More severe symptoms or injuries such as chronic pain or bone fractures may require medical treatment. For cases like these, one of our orthopedic specialists or orthopedic surgeons will work with you to develop a treatment plan. The first step will be diagnosing what is causing the pain. This is most often determined through evaluating the history of symptoms that led to the current condition, a physical examination and tests that may include:

• X-ray
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Ultrasound

Nonsurgical treatment options

Many foot and ankle conditions and injuries can be treated without the need for a surgical procedure. Your orthopedic specialist will explore all options before choosing to operate. Nonsurgical treatments may include:

• Bracing, casting or splinting the affected area
• Using support aids like crutches
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Wearing supportive shoes to alleviate symptoms and promote healing
• Steroidal injections
• Building a lifestyle modification plan

Foot and ankle surgery

If none of the nonsurgical conservative treatments are easing symptoms or pain, a surgical procedure may be needed. Common procedures to ease pain in the ankle and foot include:

• Achilles tendon repair: An incision is made to the calf and the tendon is stitched back together.
• Ankle replacement surgery: Joint replacement procedure where the three bones that make up the ankle joint are replaced with metal or plastic implants.
• Foot or ankle reconstruction: Surgery to restore function and relieve pain. It can involve repairing or transferring tendons, implanting prosthetic joints, or manipulating bones through cutting, grafting or fusing to correct deformities and improve stability.
• Fracture repair: Some bones that are broken cannot heal with casting or boot immobilization and require surgery to realign and then stabilize them with metal plates and screws.

Foot and ankle surgery recovery

Each injury and subsequent procedure is different and several factors can contribute to the timetable for recovery. Generally, recovery from a procedure will take between two to six months for complete recovery depending on what was involved during the procedure. 

Expect regular check-ups to monitor healing and your doctor will likely recommend physical therapy in the later stages of healing. With proper care and regular therapy, in most cases, a full recovery can be made. 

Exceptional foot and ankle care

Choosing Banner Health for your foot and ankle care ensures access to a comprehensive team of foot and ankle specialists dedicated to delivering personalized and effective treatment. With a commitment to utilizing the latest research and technological advances, our expert team works diligently to diagnose and address your specific needs, whether you're dealing with common conditions like plantar fasciitis or require specialized surgical intervention. 

At Banner Health, we prioritize patient-centered care, offering compassionate support every step of the way, from diagnosis to recovery. With a focus on promoting optimal outcomes and enhancing your quality of life, trust Banner Health for exceptional foot and ankle care tailored to your individual needs.