What Is a Puncture Wound? Puncture wounds are not the same as cuts. A puncture wound has a small entry hole caused by a pointed object, such as a nail that you have stepped on. In contrast, a cut is an open wound that produces a long tear in the skin. Puncture wounds require...
/conditions/puncture-wounds
1/10/2018 1:07:59 PM
What Is PTTD? The posterior tibial tendon serves as one of the major supporting structures of the foot, helping it to function while walking. Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is a condition caused by changes in the tendon, impairing its ability to support the a...
/conditions/posterior-tibial-tendon-dysfunction-(pttd)
1/10/2018 1:04:58 PM
What Is a Plantar Wart? A wart is a small growth on the skin that develops when the skin is infected by a virus. Warts can develop anywhere on the foot, but they typically appear on the bottom (plantar side) of the foot. Plantar warts most commonly occur in children, adol...
/conditions/plantar-wart-(verruca-plantaris)
1/10/2018 12:59:00 PM
Pigeon toes (intoeing) is a condition in which the feet point inward when walking. It is commonly seen in children and may resolve in very early childhood with no treatment or intervention. The child should be examined by a foot and ankle surgeon if the intoeing causes signi...
/conditions/pigeon-toes
1/10/2018 12:54:35 PM
What Is Peripheral Arterial Disease? Commonly referred to as poor circulation, Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is the restriction of blood flow in the arteries of the leg. When arteries become narrowed by plaque (the accumulation of cholesterol and other materials on the...
/conditions/peripheral-arterial-disease-(p-a-d-)
1/10/2018 12:49:30 PM
What Is Pediatric Flatfoot? Flatfoot is common in both children and adults. When this deformity occurs in children, it is referred to as pediatric flatfoot. Although there are various forms of flatfoot, they all share one characteristic—partial or total collapse of the arch...
/conditions/pediatric-flatfoot
1/10/2018 12:47:12 PM
Osteoporosis, which means “porous bone,” is a condition in which bones become weak and thin due to lack of calcium and/or vitamin D. People with osteoporosis have an increased risk of bone fractures (breaks). Osteoporosis is often called the “silent disease” because many pe...
/conditions/osteoporosis
1/10/2018 12:46:14 PM
What Is Osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis is a condition characterized by the breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage in one or more joints. Cartilage (the connective tissue found at the end of the bones in the joints) protects and cushions the bones during movement. When ca...
/conditions/osteoarthritis-of-the-foot-and-ankle
1/10/2018 12:43:33 PM
What Is the Os Trigonum? The os trigonum is an extra (accessory) bone that sometimes develops behind the ankle bone (talus). It is connected to the talus by a fibrous band. The presence of an os trigonum in one or both feet is congenital (present at birth). It becomes evid...
/conditions/os-trigonum-syndrome
1/10/2018 12:43:04 PM
Custom orthotics are medical devices prescribed by a foot and ankle surgeon. These are different from shoe inserts and arch supports in that they have two functions. Orthotics can be used to accommodate or offload a prominent area. This can be helpful for bursitis, calluses...
/conditions/orthotics
1/10/2018 12:40:40 PM
Obesity is an ever-increasing problem in American society. Currently, up to one third of the U.S. population is considered obese, defined as a body mass index greater than 30. Although it seems obvious, many studies have found a direct link between increased BMI and foot prob...
/conditions/obesity-and-your-feet
1/10/2018 12:39:33 PM
What Is the Lisfranc Joint? The Lisfranc joint is the point at which the metatarsal bones (long bones that lead up to the toes) and the tarsal bones (bones in the arch) connect. The Lisfranc ligament is a tough band of tissue that joins two of these bones. This is importa...
/conditions/lisfranc-injuries
1/10/2018 12:33:11 PM
The running and side-to-side cutting in lacrosse are common causes of injuries to the foot and ankle. Lacrosse players should be aware of the following risks: Inversion ankle sprains can damage the ankle ligaments and can also be associated with peroneal tendon injur...
/conditions/lacrosse-injuries-to-the-foot-and-ankle
1/10/2018 12:31:46 PM
The foot contains 26 bones and more than 30 joints. The body’s natural response to any type of joint injury is to increase blood flow to the affected area. This results in an accumulation of fluid in the tissues in and around the joint, resulting in swelling. Depending on the...
/conditions/joint-swelling-in-the-foot
1/10/2018 12:29:27 PM
The foot contains 26 bones and more than 30 joints. Many people experience pain involving one or more of these joints. The pain may be accompanied by swelling, tenderness, stiffness, redness, bruising and/or increased warmth over the affected joints. Joint pain may be caused...
/conditions/joint-pain-in-the-foot
1/10/2018 12:28:02 PM