Dr. pAUL S. Schwartz & DR. LAURA SCHWARTZ Specialize in Foot Surgery, Diseases, & Injuries of The Foot & Ankle

FOOT AND ANKLE PAIN

The foot and ankle are complex mechanical structures that balance the body's weight while providing support and mobility.

Standard foot and ankle pain symptoms include swelling, tenderness, and discomfort in and around the joints, toes, or heel.

Sudden (acute) injuries – such as ligament sprains, muscle strains, and bone fractures – can occur during sports activities like walking on uneven surfaces. Occupations requiring long standing or walking periods can also cause stress to the structures in the foot, leading to painful conditions such as stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and tendonitis, to name a few.

The ankle is a hard-working joint that connects the lower leg to the foot and supports the body's weight. Ankle pain may be felt in any part of the complex system of ligaments, muscles, tendons, or bones that make up the ankle area. People experiencing ankle pain or an ankle injury may have swelling, stiffness, bruising, or tenderness in and around their ankles or have difficulty walking.

While sports injuries are a common cause of ankle pain, it is possible to incur injury or pain with simple activities, such as stepping on an uneven surface. Pain in the ankle may be sudden such as an ankle sprain or can develop over time from repetitive motions associated with sports, work, or everyday life, causing conditions like tendonitis or tarsal tunnel syndrome.