Causes of Pain in Front of the Ankle
Pain in the front of the ankle is often linked to anterior ankle impingement, a condition where soft tissue becomes compressed between the shin bone and the ankle joint. Anterior ankle impingement can develop from repetitive movements, previous injuries, or structural foot imbalances like flat feet or high arches. Symptoms include pain while walking, running, or climbing stairs, along with stiffness and swelling. Athletes who frequently bend at their ankles, such as football players and dancers, may be more susceptible. Overpronation, where the foot rolls inward excessively, can also contribute to pain in the front of the ankle by placing additional strain on the joint. A chiropodist can assess your foot structure and gait to determine the best course of treatment. Custom orthotics can help correct alignment and reduce pressure on the ankle, while bracing may provide additional stability. Prescribed stretching and strengthening exercises can improve mobility and support the affected area. If you are experiencing unexplained pain in the front of your ankle, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a chiropodist for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment options.
Ankle pain is a common symptom of many lower limb problems. If you are experiencing ankle pain, please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
The ankle is composed of a number of muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. There are many conditions which may cause ankle pain.
Causes
- Ankle strains or sprains
- Achilles tendon injuries
- Fractures
- Bursitis
- Arthritis
- Gout
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Symptoms
If you have ankle pain, you may also experience a variety of other symptoms depending on the underlying cause of the pain. Some of these symptoms may include ankle swelling, bruising, redness, numbness or tingling, instability, and difficulty walking.
Diagnosis
The underlying cause of ankle pain can be diagnosed by a chiropodist. Diagnoses are typically made based on your medical history, a physical examination of the affected ankle, and imaging studies such as X-rays.
Treatment
Treatment for your ankle pain will depend on its underlying cause. Often, the chiropodist will recommend that you rest the affected ankle. You might also need to ice, compress, and elevate the ankle, wear an orthotic device, or take medications to reduce pain and inflammation.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Scarborough, ON .
Ankle Pain
The ankle is the region that joins the foot and leg. It consists of three joints that allow the foot to move. Pain in the ankle is typically the result of injury or inflammation from a wide variety of conditions, such as strains, sprains, fractures, or arthritis. Symptoms that often co-occur with ankle pain include swelling, bruising, numbness, tingling, stiffness, joint instability, and difficulty walking.
The underlying cause of your ankle pain can be diagnosed by a chiropodist. A diagnostic visit to this specialist typically involves providing a medical history, describing your ankle pain, and undergoing a physical examination. In some cases, the chiropodist may order imaging studies, such as an X-ray or ultrasound, to rule out or confirm a diagnosis.
The right treatment for your ankle pain will depend on the underlying cause of the pain. In many cases, your chiropodist may recommend that you follow the R.I.C.E. acronym: resting, icing, compressing, and elevating the affected ankle. Taking these actions generally decreases swelling and inflammation, reduces pain, and promotes healing. Taking over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may also help with pain management. The chiropodist may also prescribe custom orthotics, immobilize the affected ankle, or recommend activity and footwear modifications. In cases of more severe injuries, surgical treatment may be necessary.
If you are experiencing ankle pain, it is recommended that you seek the care of a chiropodist.
Get Professional Care for a Broken Foot or Ankle
Constant care and regular evaluation are important for a foot or ankle fracture. If left untreated, foot or ankle fractures can worsen over time and create more serious problems.
Don't wait to be examined if you believe you've experienced a foot or ankle fracture.
How the Feet Move from Heel to Toe
The biomechanics of the feet are essential for understanding how people walk and move. As you take a step, the movement starts at the heel, where the foot first makes contact with the ground. The body’s weight then shifts forward, allowing the arch of the foot to absorb the impact. The Achilles tendon, one of the strongest tendons in the body, plays a key role as it connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, facilitating the push-off during walking. The foot consists of 26 bones, including the tarsal bones, metatarsals, and phalanges, which work together to provide support, stability, and flexibility. As the foot moves from heel to toe, the toes help propel the body forward. The tendons and ligaments, such as the plantar fascia, also help maintain the arch and distribute pressure evenly, ensuring efficient movement while walking or running. If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, it may be due to improper biomechanics of the feet and it is suggested that you contact a chiropodist who can treat various foot conditions.
The biomechanics of your feet play an important role in your foot health. To learn more, please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility.
Foot biomechanics refers to the study of the structure, function, and motion of the feet. The feet and ankles are a complex system consisting of many bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons that work together to move your feet. Understanding the unique biomechanics of your own feet can help you and your chiropodist make informed decisions about your foot health care. This includes decisions about the best preventive measures to avoid foot pain, the best treatment options for various foot problems, and finding the best shoes for your feet.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Scarborough, ON .
Biomechanics of the Feet
Foot biomechanics is an area of foot care that examines the structure, function, and motion of the feet. When these factors are carefully examined, they can provide more information about potential causes of foot and ankle pain and help your chiropodist find the best treatments for the unique needs of your feet.
The study of biomechanics dates back to ancient times but became more well known in modern history when findings claimed that changing or controlling the forces between the ankle and foot can lead to positive clinical outcomes when treating various foot and ankle conditions.
The advent of modern technology, such as computer analysis, has continued to expand on these discoveries and helps medical professionals make informed decisions about patient care. Understanding the biomechanics of the feet can help in the diagnosis of various conditions and prescribing targeted treatments that reduce or eliminate pain. For example, a chiropodist can analyze your gait, or walking pattern, and determine if there are any abnormalities that can be treated with custom orthotics or footwear modifications.
Joint Pain in the Feet and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Joint pain in the feet can be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, an autoimmune condition that causes the immune system to mistakenly attack healthy joint tissues. RA leads to inflammation, stiffness, and swelling in various joints, including the feet. The condition commonly affects the small joints of the feet, causing discomfort when walking or standing. The exact cause of RA is unknown, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors that trigger an abnormal immune response. Other factors, such as infections or hormonal changes, may also contribute to the development of the disease. As the condition progresses, joint damage and deformities may occur, further intensifying foot pain and affecting mobility. If you have foot pain, it is suggested that you contact a chiropodist who can provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks its own otherwise healthy joint lining or synovium. While RA can affect any joint in the body, it often affects the small joints of the feet and the ankle joint. If you’re dealing with RA in your lower limbs, please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility.
Symptoms of RA primarily affect the joints of the feet and may include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Redness
- Warmth
- Difficulty walking
- Gait changes
- Bunions
- Hammertoes
Treatment
While there is no cure for RA, your chiropodist can help you manage the health of your feet and maintain your mobility while living with this condition. Possible treatments include wearing orthotics, doing foot and ankle exercises, resting the feet, taking anti-inflammatory medications, getting steroid injections, and wearing braces for foot and ankle pain. In advanced cases of RA, joint replacement surgery may be helpful for mobility. Bunions, hammertoes, and other deformities can be corrected with surgery as well.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Scarborough, ON .
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks its own otherwise healthy joint lining. This condition can affect any of the 33 joints of the feet, as well as the ankle joints. RA symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and warmth. It may become difficult to stand, walk, or exercise due to joint pain. RA can also affect the biomechanics of the feet. When the structure of the foot changes, this can affect one’s gait or walking pattern. Foot deformities, such as bunions and hammertoes, also become more likely. RA’s negative effects on mobility could impact one’s overall quality of life.
Although there is no cure for RA, your chiropodist can help you manage symptoms and maintain the health of your feet and your mobility. They may recommend conservative treatments such as resting and icing the feet and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications to manage pain. Orthotic inserts and braces can help reduce pain and give the feet structure and support. In more severe cases, corticosteroid injections can be used to relieve pain as well.
Surgical treatments for joint pain are another possible option for those with RA, particularly if the conservative treatment methods described above prove ineffective. Joint fusion surgery or joint replacement surgery may help. Deformities like bunions and hammertoes can be surgically corrected as well.
To learn more about living with RA, please consult with a chiropodist near you.
Essential Tips for Diabetic Foot Health
Caring for diabetic feet is vital to prevent complications like infections, ulcers, or nerve damage. Diabetic neuropathy, which causes insensitivity in the feet, makes it difficult to detect injuries or infections. Regularly cleaning the feet with mild soap and warm water is essential to keep them free from dirt and bacteria. After cleaning, make sure to thoroughly dry the feet, especially between the toes, to prevent moisture buildup that could lead to fungal infections. It is also important to perform self-inspections regularly to check for any cuts, blisters, redness, or swelling, as these may go unnoticed due to reduced sensation. Wearing well-fitted shoes with proper cushioning is key to avoiding foot injuries, and keeping the feet moisturized helps maintain healthy skin. If you have diabetes, it is suggested that you consult a chiropodist for help managing any foot-related complications.
Diabetes can cause serious problems in the lower limbs if proper preventive measures are not taken and diabetic wound care is not performed. If you would like to learn more about caring for diabetic feet, please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility.
Diabetes can lead to a host of foot and ankle complications, including:
- Poor circulation
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Diabetic foot wounds and ulcers
- Infection
- Corns and calluses
- Dry, cracked skin
- Nail disorders
- Hammertoes
- Bunions
- Charcot foot
If you have diabetes, you must be vigilant of any changes in your foot health. This is best done through daily foot inspections. Using a mirror to help you if necessary, look for any:
- Cuts, scrapes, sores, or wounds
- Bruising or discoloration
- Swelling
- Rash
- Foul odor
- Nail changes
- Hair loss
- Warmth and inflammation
- Deformities
- Lower limb pain
- Strange sensations (numbness, tingling, burning, pins, and needles)
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Scarborough, ON .
Diabetic Foot Care
Though diabetes begins with the pancreas not producing enough insulin, thus raising your blood sugar levels, it is a systemic condition that can affect every part of your body. The feet are no exception, and a variety of lower limb problems are very common among people with diabetes.
One of the primary foot-related concerns for patients with diabetes is diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). These are poorly healing open wounds on the feet that are at high risk of becoming infected due to a weakened immune system, another common complication of diabetes. Nerve damage in the feet caused by high blood sugar levels interferes with pain signaling between the peripheral nerves in the feet and the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). When this signaling is disrupted, it can be difficult to detect foot injuries, such as cuts and scrapes, when they occur. These injuries are then left unnoticed and untreated until they have significantly worsened. Poor circulation, another complication of diabetes, means that not enough nutrients reach the feet. Without them, the wounds on the feet heal slowly and poorly, or not at all. These wounds can then become infected, leading to tissue death.
The best way to prevent DFUs and their consequences is to carefully monitor the health of your feet through daily foot inspections. Using a mirror to help you see your feet fully, look for any cuts, scrapes, sores, bruising, swelling, discoloration, rashes, hair loss, deformities, or nail changes. Take note of any foul odors, pain, warmth, and strange sensations such as numbness, tingling, burning, or pins and needles. If you notice a problem, seek the care of a chiropodist as soon as possible. Early treatment is key to avoiding potential complications.
DFUs are not the only foot problem diabetics are more likely to encounter. Diabetes can also increase your risk of corns and calluses, cracked skin, bunions, hammertoes, Charcot foot, nail disorders, and various infections. If you have diabetes, it is strongly suggested that you are under the care of a doctor who can help you monitor your foot health, treat any existing conditions, and prevent future ones.
Managing Corns and Calluses
Corns and calluses are thickened areas of skin that develop as a natural response to repeated pressure or friction. Calluses typically form on weight-bearing areas like the soles of the feet and are larger with less defined edges. Corns are smaller, often circular, and can appear on non-weight-bearing areas, such as the tops or sides of toes. It also contains a cone-shaped area of hard keratin that develops from friction. Both conditions may cause discomfort, especially when pressure is applied. Corns and calluses are more common in people who wear ill-fitting shoes, spend long hours standing, or have structural foot issues. Those with diabetes or poor circulation should be particularly cautious, as untreated corns or calluses can lead to complications like infections or ulcers. A chiropodist can assess and safely remove these thickened skin areas using specialized tools while providing advice on proper footwear, foot hygiene, and orthotic solutions to prevent recurrence. If you have a problematic corn on your foot, it is suggested that you schedule an appointment with a chiropodist for guidance.
Corns are small bumps or dry, hardened skin that can arise on the feet, usually in response to friction. Corns can be asymptomatic, or they can be uncomfortable or painful. If you have corns that are bothering you, please consult with Cynthia Chan, B.Sc., D.Ch from Healthy Advantage Foot & Orthotic Clinic. Our practitioner can help you maintain the health of your lower limbs and your mobility.
There are three types of corns:
- Hard corns
- Often occur on the tops of toes
- Feature a hard core surrounded by dry, irritated skin
- Can be painful
- Soft corns
- Often occur in between the toes
- Soft due to constant exposure to sweat
- Can be painful
- Seed corns
- Tiny
- Often occur on the soles of the feet
- Usually asymptomatic
Corns can be prevented by wearing shoes that fit properly. They are typically benign and don’t require medical treatment. However, if your corns are causing you pain or discomfort, don’t hesitate to reach out to a chiropodist near you for treatment options. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Scarborough, ON .