Foot & Ankle
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Foot & Ankle Conditions
The foot and ankle are complex structures made up of bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments that work together to support your body and keep you moving. When injury, arthritis, deformity, or tendon problems affect these structures, even simple activities like walking, standing, or exercising can become painful. At Premier Orthopaedics, our specialists provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment for a wide range of foot and ankle conditions.
From sprains and fractures to bunions, arthritis, tendon disorders, and other conditions, effective treatment begins with understanding the underlying cause of your symptoms. Our foot and ankle specialists use physical examinations, gait assessments, weight-bearing X-rays, and advanced imaging when needed to develop an individualized treatment plan. Whether conservative care, physical therapy, bracing, orthotics, or surgery is appropriate, our goal is to relieve pain, restore function, and help you return to the activities you enjoy.
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Achilles TendonitisAchilles tendonitis is inflammation or irritation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel. It can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling, particularly during walking, running, or other physical activities.
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Achilles Tendon Disorderschilles tendon disorders affect the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and limited mobility. They may result from repetitive stress, sudden activity increases, or athletic strain and range from inflammation to tendon degeneration or tears.
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Ankle and Foot FracturesFoot and ankle fractures occur when one or more bones break, ranging from small stress fractures to severe breaks that affect mobility. Symptoms may include intense pain, swelling, bruising, inability to bear weight, and visible deformity or misalignment.
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Ankle SprainsAnkle sprains occur when supporting ligaments stretch beyond their limits or tear, often after twisting or rolling the ankle. Symptoms include swelling, bruising, tenderness, and difficulty bearing weight, while repeated or poorly healed sprains can cause chronic ankle instability.
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BunionsBunions are bony bumps that develop at the base of the big toe when the bones at the front of the foot shift out of alignment. They can cause pain, swelling, redness, restricted toe movement, and difficulty wearing certain shoes.
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Foot and Ankle OsteoarthritisFoot and ankle osteoarthritis occurs when protective cartilage inside the joints wears down over time, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility. Previous injuries, abnormal foot mechanics, repetitive stress, and natural wear can contribute to joint degeneration.
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Hallux RigidusHallux rigidus, or big toe arthritis, causes stiffness and pain in the joint at the base of the big toe. Cartilage wear, altered foot mechanics, trauma, and repetitive stress can make movement and push-off difficult and affect comfortable footwear.
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Lacerations and Soft Tissue TumorsLacerations and soft tissue tumors affect the skin, fat, muscle, tendons, and connective tissues. Lacerations may cause deep cuts, bleeding, numbness, or loss of motion, while soft tissue tumors can appear as persistent lumps, swelling, tenderness, or pain.
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Lisfranc InjuriesLisfranc injuries affect the bones and ligaments connecting the forefoot and midfoot, which help support the arch and stabilize each step. They can cause severe midfoot pain, swelling, bruising, difficulty bearing weight, and, in serious cases, visible deformity.
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Osteochondral Lesion of the TalusAn osteochondral lesion of the talus involves damage to the cartilage and underlying bone on the top surface of the talus. It can cause deep ankle pain, swelling, stiffness, and catching or locking, often following a significant ankle injury.
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Peroneal Tendon DisordersPeroneal tendon disorders affect tendons along the outside of the ankle that help stabilize the foot and protect against sprains. Inflammation, tendon tears, or tendons slipping out of place can cause pain, swelling, popping, and ankle instability.
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Plantar FasciitisPlantar fasciitis causes sharp, localized heel pain when the thick band of tissue connecting the heel bone to the toes becomes irritated. Repetitive strain, high-impact activity, unsupportive footwear, and tight calf muscles can contribute to symptoms.
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Posterior Tibial TendonitisPosterior tibial tendonitis occurs when the tendon supporting the foot’s arch becomes inflamed or torn. It can cause pain and swelling along the inside of the ankle and foot, with symptoms that worsen during activity and may lead to arch flattening.
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Rheumatoid ArthritisRheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can affect the joints of the foot and ankle, causing inflammation, pain, swelling, and stiffness. Over time, it may contribute to joint deformity, changes in foot shape, and difficulty walking.
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Sever’s ApophysitisSever’s apophysitis is a painful inflammation of the heel growth plate that commonly affects active children and adolescents during growth spurts. Repetitive stress from running and jumping can cause heel pain, tenderness, stiffness, and occasional swelling around the heel.
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Tailor’s BunionA Tailor’s bunion, or bunionette, is a painful bony bump at the outside of the foot near the base of the little toe. It can cause redness, swelling, tenderness, shoe discomfort, and corns or calluses over the prominence.
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Toe DeformitiesToe deformities, including hammertoe, claw toe, and mallet toe, occur when imbalances in the surrounding muscles, tendons, or ligaments cause abnormal bending. They may lead to pain, stiffness, swelling, corns, calluses, and difficulty walking or wearing shoes.
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Total Ankle ReplacementTotal ankle replacement is a surgical procedure that replaces damaged bone and cartilage with prosthetic components to relieve chronic ankle pain and preserve motion. It may be considered for advanced arthritis causing persistent pain, stiffness, swelling, and difficulty bearing weight.
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Turf ToeTurf toe is a sprain of the ligament complex at the base of the big toe caused by forceful upward bending beyond its normal range. It can cause sharp pain, swelling, stiffness, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight or pushing off.
Find an Office Near You
With convenient locations throughout the region, expert orthopaedic care is always within reach. Find a nearby office offering comprehensive services, flexible scheduling, and compassionate care—making it easier to get the treatment you need, when and where it works best for you.
Symptoms, Treatments & Risks
Symptoms
Foot and ankle issues manifest through various signs depending on the location—forefoot, midfoot, or hindfoot. Key symptoms include:
- Pain & Stiffness: Sharp, dull, or aching pain in the heel, arch, toes, or ankle, including morning heel pain from plantar fasciitis or joint stiffness from arthritis.
- Instability & Reduced Mobility: Difficulty walking, driving, bearing weight, or maintaining balance due to sprains, ligament tears, or instability.
- Visible Deformities & Skin Issues: Bunions, hammertoes, flat arches, swelling, corns, calluses, plantar warts, or non-healing diabetic ulcers.
- Nerve Discomfort: Tingling, numbness, or burning sensations caused by nerve compression, tarsal tunnel syndrome, or diabetic neuropathy.
Treatments
Premier Orthopaedics provides comprehensive, personalized care tailored to athletes, pediatric patients, diabetics, and adults throughout Greater Philadelphia:
- Conservative Care: Custom orthotics, bracing, physical therapy, targeted stretching, and gait analysis.
- Medical Interventions: Anti-inflammatory injections, specialized wound care, decompression, and nerve studies.
- Surgical Solutions: Bunion and toe deformity corrections, fracture repair, ligament reconstruction, joint fusion, and total ankle replacement.
- Urgent & Sports Care: Immediate evaluation for acute trauma, severe sprains, lacerations, and sudden fractures.
Risks of Delaying Care
Ignoring persistent foot or ankle pain can lead to serious, long-term complications:
- Chronic Pain & Instability: Untreated sprains or stress fractures can cause permanent joint damage, osteoarthritis, or chronic lateral ankle instability.
- Compensatory Injuries: Favoring a painful foot alters your gait, frequently causing secondary knee, hip, or lower back pain.
- Severe Diabetic Complications: Unmanaged wounds or minor skin breakdown can rapidly progress to deep infections, severe ulcers, or permanent tissue damage.
- Loss of Function: Delaying treatment for conditions like tendon ruptures or progressive deformities can result in irreversible mobility loss and complex surgical needs.
Helping You Get Back to the Life You Love
Whether you're dealing with a recent injury or years of chronic pain, our orthopaedic specialists create personalized treatment plans that reduce pain, restore movement, and help you live more comfortably.