Conditions & Care
Foot & Ankle
Your feet and ankles are responsible for your balance, stability, motion, and propulsion. Injuries, such as sprains or strains, or abnormalities, such as bone spurs, can cause ongoing pain and damage to the ankle joints and feet over time. Foot and ankle issues can completely destabilize your ability to stand, walk, and run.
Anatomy
The foot and ankle is a complex structure with 33 joints. The ankle itself has three bones forming a synovial joint, protected by cartilage. This connects the two bones of the lower leg to the 26 bones of the foot, which is divided into three sections. The phalange bones and metatarsal bones make up the forefoot, or the toes. The midfoot is comprised of tarsal bones, cuneiform bones, and the cuboid and navicular bones, stretching from the ball through the arch. The hind-foot, or heel, has two more tarsal bones. The Achilles tendon runs from the heel up the back of the leg, and multiple other ligaments and tendons work to allow rotation, flexion, and articulation of the foot and ankle.
Treatment
Diagnosis of your foot or ankle injury begins with a full medical history and a comprehensive examination. Tests or scans such as x-rays or MRIs may be ordered to see damage to bones or soft tissues. Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, your Dr. Strasburger can present the different options available for treatment, including one or more non-surgical or surgical options.
You may need physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, special bracing, or steroid injections. If necessary, surgery can be performed to restore your range of motion and relieve ongoing pain. Your injury might be solvable with minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery, that accesses the inside of your foot or ankle through very small incisions using tiny tools.
Common Foot & Ankle Injuries
Ankle Ligament Reconstruction
Ligaments connect the bones in your ankle to each other making it a strong and stable joint. If you twist or sprain your ankle the inflexible ligaments can become torn, broken or stretched, requiring surgery to repair them.
Ankle Arthroscopy
Ankle arthroscopy is a technique that utilizes the technology of fiber optics, magnifying lenses, and digital video monitors to allow the inside of an ankle to be viewed during minimally invasive ankle surgical treatments. Repair of Torn Achilles Tendon: Achilles tendon rupture most commonly occurs in the middle-aged male athlete during recreational sports that require bursts of jumping, pivoting, and running, such as tennis, racquetball, or basketball. Surgery is often the solution.
Ankle & Foot Fractures
These injuries are most common in athletes, especially athletes of sports that involve running and jumping. People with osteoporosis can also develop hairline fractures. Surgery may or may not be required, depending on severity.
Ankle & Foot Sprains & Strains
The areas of the body most at risk for a sprain depend on the specific activities involved. For example, basketball, volleyball, soccer, and other jumping sports share a risk for foot, leg, and ankle sprains. Soccer, football, hockey, boxing, wrestling, and other contact sports put athletes at risk for strains.
Foot & Ankle