Foot and Ankle Joint Disorders
Comprehensive Treatment for Foot & Ankle Joint Disorders
Your feet and ankles carry you through every part of your day, so when pain develops, it can limit your mobility, independence, and confidence. At iMsk & Spine Group, we take a compassionate, patient-first approach to diagnosing and treating foot and ankle joint disorders. Whether your symptoms stem from an injury, nerve irritation, tendon inflammation, structural changes, or chronic conditions, our team is here to help you move comfortably again. With expert evaluation and personalized treatment plans, we work closely with you to restore stability, reduce pain, and support long-term function.
Foot & Ankle Joint Disorders We Treat
Ankle Sprains
What it is:
Injury to the ligaments that support the ankle, often caused by twisting, rolling, or stepping on uneven surfaces.
Injury to the ligaments that support the ankle, often caused by twisting, rolling, or stepping on uneven surfaces.
How we treat it:
We provide bracing, RICE principles, guided physical therapy, proprioceptive training, and activity modification to restore strength and stability.
We provide bracing, RICE principles, guided physical therapy, proprioceptive training, and activity modification to restore strength and stability.
Symptoms:
- Swelling and bruising
- Pain during weight-bearing
- Instability
- Decreased range of motion
Charcot’s Neuroarthropathy (CN)
What it is:
A serious condition where the bones, joints, and soft tissues of the foot break down, often associated with neuropathy or diabetes.
A serious condition where the bones, joints, and soft tissues of the foot break down, often associated with neuropathy or diabetes.
How we treat it:
Aggressive early care involves immobilization, offloading, bracing, and close monitoring. Long-term management focuses on preventing deformity, improving stability, and reducing pain.
Aggressive early care involves immobilization, offloading, bracing, and close monitoring. Long-term management focuses on preventing deformity, improving stability, and reducing pain.
Symptoms:
- Swelling
- Warmth and redness
- Joint collapse or deformity
- Progressive foot instability
Chronic Lateral Ankle Pain
What it is:
Persistent ankle pain on the outer side of the ankle, often after repeated sprains, ligament weakness, or tendon irritation.
Persistent ankle pain on the outer side of the ankle, often after repeated sprains, ligament weakness, or tendon irritation.
How we treat it:
Rehabilitation focuses on strengthening, balance training, supportive bracing, footwear evaluation, and interventional pain treatments if needed.
Rehabilitation focuses on strengthening, balance training, supportive bracing, footwear evaluation, and interventional pain treatments if needed.
Symptoms:
- Ongoing discomfort
- Instability
- Swelling
- Pain during walking or standing
High Ankle Sprain (Syndesmosis Ligament Injury)
What it is:
A more severe sprain affecting the ligaments connecting the tibia and fibula. These injuries take longer to heal than typical ankle sprains.
A more severe sprain affecting the ligaments connecting the tibia and fibula. These injuries take longer to heal than typical ankle sprains.
How we treat it:
Treatment includes immobilization, bracing, structured rehabilitation, and activity modification. Severe cases may require advanced intervention.
Treatment includes immobilization, bracing, structured rehabilitation, and activity modification. Severe cases may require advanced intervention.
Symptoms:
- Pain above the ankle
- Difficulty walking
- Pain with outward foot rotation
- Swelling
Peroneal Tendonitis
What it is:
Inflammation of the tendons on the outside of the ankle, often from overuse, running on uneven surfaces, or repetitive ankle motion.
Inflammation of the tendons on the outside of the ankle, often from overuse, running on uneven surfaces, or repetitive ankle motion.
How we treat it:
We use physical therapy, stretching, orthotics, anti-inflammatory strategies, and strengthening exercises to reduce irritation and support proper movement.
We use physical therapy, stretching, orthotics, anti-inflammatory strategies, and strengthening exercises to reduce irritation and support proper movement.
Symptoms:
- Outer ankle pain
- Swelling
- Pain during walking or running
- Instability
Phantom Pain
What it is:
Pain sensation in a limb or part of the body that has been amputated. The brain continues to send pain signals despite the absence of the limb.
Pain sensation in a limb or part of the body that has been amputated. The brain continues to send pain signals despite the absence of the limb.
How we treat it:
Treatment includes nerve-focused therapies, medication management, desensitization techniques, physical therapy, and interventional pain procedures when appropriate.
Treatment includes nerve-focused therapies, medication management, desensitization techniques, physical therapy, and interventional pain procedures when appropriate.
Symptoms:
- Burning
- Tingling
- Shooting or stabbing pain
- Persistent sensation in the missing limb
Plantar Fasciitis
What it is:
Inflammation of the thick ligament (plantar fascia) that supports the foot’s arch.
Inflammation of the thick ligament (plantar fascia) that supports the foot’s arch.
How we treat it:
Treatment includes stretching programs, orthotics, footwear adjustments, activity modification, and targeted injections for persistent symptoms.
Treatment includes stretching programs, orthotics, footwear adjustments, activity modification, and targeted injections for persistent symptoms.
Symptoms:
- Heel pain
- Pain worse in the morning
- Discomfort after long periods of standing
- Tightness in the arch
Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)
What it is:
Pain along the shin bone caused by repetitive stress, common in runners or those increasing activity rapidly.
Pain along the shin bone caused by repetitive stress, common in runners or those increasing activity rapidly.
How we treat it:
Rest, ice, stretching, footwear evaluation, gradual return-to-activity plans, and physical therapy to correct biomechanics.
Rest, ice, stretching, footwear evaluation, gradual return-to-activity plans, and physical therapy to correct biomechanics.
Symptoms:
- Shin pain during activity
- Tenderness along the tibia
- Swelling or discomfort with pressure
Morton’s Neuroma
What it is:
A thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to the toes.
A thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to the toes.
How we treat it:
We focus on footwear changes, padding/orthotics, anti-inflammatory strategies, nerve-calming treatments, and targeted injections.
We focus on footwear changes, padding/orthotics, anti-inflammatory strategies, nerve-calming treatments, and targeted injections.
Symptoms:
- Burning pain in the ball of the foot
- Numbness or tingling in the toes
- Feeling of standing on a pebble
- Pain worsened by tight shoes
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
What it is:
Entrapment of the tibial nerve as it passes through the tarsal tunnel on the inside of the ankle.
Entrapment of the tibial nerve as it passes through the tarsal tunnel on the inside of the ankle.
How we treat it:
Treatment includes bracing, nerve-gliding therapy, anti-inflammatory care, physical therapy, orthotics, and interventional pain treatments.
Treatment includes bracing, nerve-gliding therapy, anti-inflammatory care, physical therapy, orthotics, and interventional pain treatments.
Symptoms:
- Tingling or burning in the foot
- Numbness
- Shooting pain
- Symptoms worsened by prolonged standing
Achilles Tendonitis
What it is:
Inflammation of the Achilles tendon, often caused by overuse, tight calf muscles, or poor footwear.
Inflammation of the Achilles tendon, often caused by overuse, tight calf muscles, or poor footwear.
How we treat it:
We use stretching, eccentric strengthening, shoe modification, physical therapy, and gradual return-to-activity plans.
We use stretching, eccentric strengthening, shoe modification, physical therapy, and gradual return-to-activity plans.
Symptoms:
- Pain above the heel
- Swelling or stiffness
- Pain during walking or running
- Tightness in calf muscles
Foot & Ankle Joint Disorders FAQ
When should I see a specialist for foot or ankle pain?
Seek evaluation if pain lasts more than a few days, affects walking, causes swelling or numbness, or follows an injury. Early care prevents worsening symptoms.
Can foot and ankle problems heal on their own?
Mild sprains or strains can improve, but many conditions require structured treatment to prevent chronic pain or instability. We’ll guide you on the best options.
Are orthotics or special shoes helpful?
Yes — proper footwear and supportive inserts can significantly reduce pain, improve mechanics, and support recovery for many foot and ankle conditions.
Do these conditions usually require surgery?
Most foot and ankle disorders can be treated non-surgically. We prioritize physical therapy, bracing, orthotics, and minimally invasive interventions.
How long does recovery take?
Healing time varies based on the condition and its severity. Many patients notice improvement within weeks when following a personalized treatment plan.
What can I do at home to prevent flare-ups?
Regular stretching, wearing proper footwear, maintaining a healthy weight, strengthening lower-leg muscles, and avoiding sudden increases in activity all help protect foot and ankle health.
