Madison Foot and Ankle

The Achilles tendon can be affected by a number of issues, including tendonitis, tendinosis, peritendonitis, rupture, and retrocalcaneobursitis. Some factors that can increase the risk of Achilles tendon injury include wearing high heels, having flat feet, having tight leg muscles or tendons, having bone spurs, adding time or intensity to an exercise routine, wearing shoes that don’t fit well, working out on uneven surfaces, and taking certain medications.

An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments in your ankle are stretched or torn, usually due to a sudden movement or twist. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, limited range of motion, tenderness, bruising, itching, cold or numb feet, and stiffness. Common causes include falling and twisting your ankle, landing awkwardly after jumping or pivoting, walking or exercising on uneven surfaces, and being stepped on during sports. Severity ranges from mild tears to full ruptures, and recovery time depends on severity.

Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection causing itching, burning, redness, scaling, cracking, thickened or white skin, and sometimes blisters. It’s most common between the toes but can affect the whole foot and toenails. Risk factors include closed or plastic-lined shoes, prolonged moisture, sweating, minor skin injuries, sharing personal items, and walking barefoot in public wet areas.

Arthritis is joint inflammation affecting one or more joints. Symptoms include pain during or after movement, stiffness, tenderness, loss of flexibility, grating sensations, bone spurs, swelling, redness, warmth, and reduced range of motion.

Bone spurs (osteophytes) are bony growths that develop around joints or the spine. Often symptomless, they can cause pain, stiffness, weakness, numbness, tingling, muscle spasms, visible bumps, or bladder and bowel control issues if they press on nerves or tissues. Causes include arthritis, aging, pressure, stress, and joint damage.

A bunion is a bony bump at the base of the big toe caused by the toe leaning inward. Causes include genetics, tight shoes, bone abnormalities, aging, and weight gain. Symptoms include pain, redness, thickened skin, and difficulty wearing shoes.

Poor circulation in the feet may be caused by peripheral artery disease, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and vasculitis.

Corns and calluses are thickened skin areas caused by friction or pressure. Corns are smaller, deeper, often painful, and form on toes. Calluses are larger, usually painless, and form on pressure areas like heels or balls of the feet. Poorly fitting shoes are a common cause.

Diabetic ulcers are open sores that don’t heal properly due to poor circulation, nerve damage, and infection risk. About one-quarter of people with diabetes will develop a foot ulcer, and some may require amputation.

Flat feet (fallen arches) occur when the arch collapses and the sole touches the ground. Causes include injury, aging, genetics, and connective tissue disorders. Often painless, but medical care is recommended if pain, stiffness, weakness, numbness, calluses, or walking issues occur.

Foot deformities affect foot structure or function and may be congenital or acquired. Common types include bunions, hammertoes, flatfoot, high arches, clubfoot, and tarsal coalition. These conditions can cause pain, mobility issues, pressure sores, and altered walking patterns.

Foot fractures cause pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, deformity, and difficulty walking. Causes include falls, twisting, or impact. First aid includes icing, elevation, limiting weight-bearing, and light compression.

Fungal nail infections cause discoloration, thickening, brittleness, crumbling edges, debris under the nail, lifting, and loss of shine.

Gout is an inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid crystal buildup. Symptoms include sudden severe pain, swelling, redness, warmth, and stiffness, commonly in the big toe.

Hammertoe causes the toe to bend downward at the middle joint. Symptoms include pain, corns, calluses, and difficulty walking. Often caused by tight or high-heeled shoes.

Heel pain can result from plantar fasciitis, poor biomechanics, improper footwear, injuries, bursitis, bone spurs, Achilles tendinitis, nerve issues, or obesity.

Ingrown toenails occur when the nail grows into surrounding skin, causing redness, swelling, pain, infection, and drainage. Risk factors include tight shoes and improper nail trimming.

Joint pain may result from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, bursitis, injuries, infections, autoimmune diseases, viral infections, or medication reactions.

Morton’s neuroma causes burning or shooting pain in the ball of the foot, often between the third and fourth toes, with numbness or a pebble-like sensation.

Nerve entrapment occurs when a nerve is compressed, causing pain, inflammation, or damage. Causes include injury, overuse, swelling, arthritis, diabetes, and bone spurs.

Nerve pain is sharp, burning, or stabbing pain caused by nervous system damage from injury, disease, toxins, alcohol, medications, or vitamin deficiencies.

Neuropathy causes pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and swelling. It has many causes, including diabetes, cancer, infection, autoimmune disease, and toxins.

Children may experience clubfoot, flatfoot, high arches, ingrown toenails, plantar warts, athlete’s foot, and tarsal coalition. Early treatment supports healthy development.

Plantar fasciitis causes heel and arch pain, especially in the morning. Risk factors include overuse, poor footwear, tight calves, obesity, and foot structure issues.

Shin splints cause aching pain along the shin due to repetitive activity like running or dancing. Pain worsens with exercise and improves with rest.

Skin disorders include eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, vitiligo, melanoma, lupus, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and other inflammatory or autoimmune conditions.

Common sports injuries include sprains, strains, fractures, dislocations, bruises, muscle injuries, ankle sprains, and Achilles tendinitis.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome results from compression of the tibial nerve, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the foot.

Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon, commonly affecting the Achilles tendon. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty with movement.

Common toenail issues include fungal infections, ingrown nails, trauma, discoloration, thickening, nail shedding, and nail lifting. Tight shoes and moisture can worsen symptoms.

Foot tumors may be benign or malignant and include enchondromas, plantar fibromas, lipomas, and ganglion cysts. Any foot mass should be evaluated.

Foot ulcers may be caused by diabetes, poor circulation, or venous disease. Symptoms include swelling, pain, drainage, redness, odor, and black tissue.

Plantar warts are caused by HPV and appear on the soles of the feet. They can be painful with pressure and spread through skin contact or shared items.