Symptoms of a wide array of conditions may sometimes mimic each other, which affects the diagnostic process. Accurate and swift diagnosis of this wide array of conditions is paramount in the conservative, nonsurgical or surgical custom-designed treatment of each condition. Treatment must take into consideration the patient’s age, physical activity level, symptoms severity, and associated chronic medical conditions. The aim of this series is to provide parents, patients, and readers with detailed information on anatomy, diseases, injuries, and foot & ankle pain symptoms. We will also share insight on current non-surgical and surgical merits and methods of treatment for a wide array of conditions.
The foot and ankle are body parts that are subjected to a lot of stress on a daily basis. Typically, they can withstand all of these mechanical stresses and perform without issue. However, the demands of modern day lifestyles, higher physical activity participation, and/or longer life spans can lead to wear and tear or overuse, combined with lower healing capacity. A vicious and painful cycle may then proceed. Common symptoms of foot and ankle problems include stiffness, swelling, deformity, instability, and pain. These symptoms present differently depending on the exact diagnosis. The foot and ankle are vulnerable to many diseases, conditions, and deformities which can be chronic or acute injuries. For ankle pain treatment Singapore, consider consulting a specialist at one of the many reputable orthopedic clinics available.
Causes of Ankle Pain
One of the most prevalent causes of ankle pain is trauma in the form of sprains or fractures, which are the most frequently reported sports-related ankle injuries. Acute ankle injuries include ligamentous laceration or tear, fracture, avulsion, syndesmotic separation, or tendon strain or rupture. Lateral ankle sprains are 3 times more frequent than medial ankle sprains because of the physics of ankle inversion. Sprains of ligaments have been reported to vary from 11% to 57% of all athletic injuries. These injuries particularly occur with jumping, landing, or ambulation on irregular surfaces or during contact sports. The challenge is to differentiate between a sprain and fracture, where the latter carries an avalanche of potential long-term disability risks requiring acute surgical management. As a guide, the Ottawa ankle bone protocol may be used to X-ray bone with supportive devices utilized until fracture risk is eliminated owing to high sensitivity levels.
Injuries to the ankle and foot may disrupt physical activities of daily living, sporting activities, and overall quality of life. Pain can be classified as acute-onset pain lasting less than 6 weeks, subacute pain lasting 6 weeks to 3 months, or chronic pain persisting beyond 3 months. Ankle and foot pain may be localized to the involved joint and can be accentuated with weightbearing, walking, or running. Pain may radiate to the regional calf or foot and be associated with swelling, deformity, or paresthesia or be temporarily relieved with rest, analgesics, or ice application. On occasion, symptoms are exacerbated by local trauma, which may include plantar or dorsiflexion of the ankle/foot or axial or rotational forces. Activity-related pain can negatively influence self-image, psychological well-being, family activities, peer and school relationships, and participation in activities. An essential approach to ankle and foot pain is understanding that overuse syndromes lead to tendinopathy, whereas traumatic incidents present an array of injuries. Experiencing ankle pain Singapore? Seek professional medical advice to determine the best course of action.
Ankle Pain Treatment Options in Singapore
Posterior ankle and hindfoot pain center around the tibiotalar joint, as well as the posterior and subtalar joints. Patients may experience pain in the Achilles tendon, which inserts into the posterior calcaneus. Heel pain is commonly the result of irritation of the origin of the abductor hallucis and possibly flexor digitorum longus muscles. Patients may also experience midfoot/forefoot issues which lead to issues in the hindfoot. Some pathologies that may also be felt in a similar region include entrapment of the FDL tendon and tarsal tunnel syndrome. These latter two will not be covered in this review. It is important to systematically diagnose and treat the appropriate driver of pain since pain from one structure can be perceived to be from more proximal structures, such as noted with hindfoot pain pathology.
Lateral ankle pain is pain that develops on the outer side of the ankle. Patients will often present with a history of ankle sprains. Common causes of lateral ankle pain include peroneal tendonopathy, soft tissue impingement, and lateral ankle instability. Conservative treatment options for most lateral ankle pathologies include activity modification, oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and orthotic devices. Persistent symptoms typically require further work-up with advanced imaging, which then helps to guide treatment. Ultimately, surgical management of these lateral ankle pathologies will depend on the nature, duration, and recalcitrance of the symptoms, patient age and activity level, as well as the patient’s medical comorbidities and desire to undergo surgery. Effective foot bone pain treatment often involves a combination of rest, medication, and physical therapy.
Common Foot Bone Pain Conditions
The treatment of plantar fasciitis can take quite a while. There are several conservative treatment methods that could be followed before deciding on any surgery. Plantar fasciitis can be a chronic affliction for a lot of people to manage and handle. Those who are obese or overweight may find it difficult to handle the condition, evident in the condition of the heel. In these instances, the importance and urgency of lifestyle and behavioral modifications are to achieve weight loss, by which a combination of dietary and physical fitness exercises are performed concurrently in recommended, suitable plans and designs for overall progress and healing of life. Referral and consultation with different health professions should also be sought and performed.
Heel pain is normally defined as pain beneath the heel or at the back of the heel. It has become a very common presenting complaint when patients consult their podiatrist or doctor. The common conditions are plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis. Plantar fasciitis is the commonest cause of heel pain. It is often characterized by sharp pain over the medial process of the calcaneus bone that is most pronounced in the morning when the patient steps out of bed. The plantar fascia is a thick fibrous band of tissue in the sole of the foot and runs from the calcaneus bone at the base of the heel bone to the heads of the metatarsal bones that are located at the forefoot. The foot arch is maintained by the plantar fascia and it acts as a shock absorber when one is walking. When there is excessive stretching and repeated loading on the fascia, it is likely to cause tearing and inflammation of the fibroblastic tissue resulting in heel pain.
Foot Bone Pain Treatment in Singapore
The reasons behind the bone pain in the foot are too many and may include inappropriate footwear, walking for long periods, standing for long periods, foot sores, inversion of the ankle, among others. A very good example to illustrate here is athlete’s foot, which is a skin disease brought about by a fungal infection. This infection is usually caused when someone walks barefoot throughout the locker rooms, showers, and group changing areas, thus attacking the nail of the ankle to the extent of feeling a painful discomfort on the nails and skin of the foot. Treatments for these types of foot-related problems may be possible through the use of antifungal medications.
Foot pain occurs when there is a problem with the bones, muscles, ligaments, or tendons. There is quite a wide variety of foot pain treatment options in Singapore that deliver ultimate pain relief. Many people might experience foot pain at some point in their lives, and they can attribute it to bone problems. We are equipped with the necessary techniques and knowledge to carry out the diagnosis for any possible bone problem in the foot area. Among the common bone problems may include bone fractures, bone bruise, contusion, osteoporosis, and bursitis, among others. Where the problem is confirmed, we do carry out treatment that will help in eradicating this problem that is giving you sleepless nights.
