1. Ankle sprains
Ligaments are bands of connective tissue that provide stability and strength to joints by binding bones to other bones. In the ankle, ligaments keep the joint from moving too far from side to side. When a sprain occurs, one or more ligaments have been stretched or torn.
2. Plantar Fasciitis
One of the most common foot and ankle injuries in adults is Plantar Fasciitis. It occurs when the Fascia band of tissue in the arch of the foot becomes inflamed, causing sharp pain in the heel of the foot. Most patients suffering from this condition complain of pain with the first few steps they take after waking up or after resting for a prolonged period of time. Once the band has time to stretch, the pain will often subside significantly but will continue to flare up again after each time that it is rested.
3. Achilles Tendonitis / Tendinopathy or Tear
The largest tendon in the body, the Achilles connects the two primary calf muscles to the bone in the heel. The tendon runs lengthwise down the back of the ankle and it is particularly susceptible to inflammation because of overuse. This condition is called Achilles tendonitis and can be addressed with tendonitis ankle treatment.
However, due to sudden trauma, the Achilles tendon can rupture/tear. If a patient hears a popping noise or sensation and experiences heel pain after landing a jump.
4. Stress fractures of the foot
The impact of excessive and repetitive force can cause microscopic damage to the bones in the foot. While acute fractures usually occur because of a particular traumatic injury, stress fractures are the result of repetitive impact, accumulating over time. When the bones and their supporting muscles do not have time to heal between exercise sessions, tiny cracks in the bones can occur.
These stress fractures most often are seen in:
- 2nd or 3rd metatarsal
- Base of the 5th metatarsal
- Navicular
- Sesamoid of the big toe
5. Fractures of the ankle
Unlike the small stress fractures in that can develop in the feet, a fracture in one of the bones of the ankle is often the result of a traumatic injury or impact. Whether an ankle fracture is in one or multiple bones and whether it occurs with pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, blistering or other symptoms, it is a serious injury that requires care from an orthopaedic specialist.