Foot & Ankle

The foot and ankle are two of the most versatile and complex areas of your body. One foot alone contains 26 bones supported by a network of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. When everything is working well, you hardly give them a thought. But when a problem arises, it’s often impossible to ignore.

Experts at Getting You Back on Your Feet

The foot and ankle are the foundation of how we all move about the world — and pain that keeps you from pursuing what you love is unacceptable. Moreover, what might seem like an inconvenience now can lead to a variety of physical issues over time.

 

More than 11 million visits were made to physicians’ offices in 2003 because of foot and ankle problems, including more than 2 million visits for ankle sprains and strains and more than 800,000 visits for ankle fractures. Orthopaedics East & Sports Medicine Center is behind tens of thousands of these examinations, treatments and positive results for communities across Eastern North Carolina. We have a deep well of experience, specialization and both non-surgical and surgical options to get you back on your feet. And together we’ll find what’s right.

 

To learn more about our foot and ankle orthopaedics services, explore the injuries, conditions and treatments within this section. A qualified healthcare provider should properly evaluate and potentially treat any injury to the foot and ankle because even injuries that seem mild or harmless may lead to complications and disability down the road.

 

 

You may have a foot & ankle injury if:

  • Your foot or ankle is stiff and doesn’t allow full movement
  • Your foot or ankle lacks strength to perform your daily activities
  • You are unable to walk or perform normal functions
  • You regularly experience severe pain
COMMON ISSUE
Arthritis

Arthritis is inflammation that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in one or more of your joints. It can be caused by natural aging, injury, inflammation, or bodily disease. In the United States, 23% of all adults — more than 54 million people — have arthritis, most common is osteoarthritis. There are many nonsurgical and operative treatments for arthritis depending on the condition’s stage and the cause.

COMMON ISSUE
Tendonitis

Tendonitis is inflammation or irritation of the thick fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone, called tendons. It can be caused by repetitive stress or a sudden increase in intensity or physical activity. Achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, pitcher’s shoulder, swimmer’s shoulder, and jumper’s knee are all forms of tendonitis. Early symptoms include pain and tenderness over the affected tendon or bone to which it attaches. If tendonitis is not recognized or diagnosed early, it can lead to more severe issues including tears and ruptures.

COMMON ISSUE
Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of pain on the bottom of the foot or base of the heel. Approximately two million patients are treated for this condition every year. The plantar fascia is a long, thin ligament that lies directly beneath the bottom of your foot and connects the heel to the front of your foot to support the arch. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the tissue that supports the arch becomes irritated and inflamed. 90% of patients with plantar fasciitis will improve within 10 months of starting nonsurgical treatments such as physical therapy, cortisone injections, or nighttime splinting.

COMMON ISSUE
Achilles Tendon Tear

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body, connecting your calf muscles to your heel bone. It is used when you walk, run, and jump. A rupture of the tendon is a tearing and separation of the tendon fibers. A complete rupture requires surgical intervention.

Other Common Issues:
  • Bursa/Bursitis
  • Achilles Tendinitis
  • Hammer Toe
  • Bunions
  • Morton’s Neuroma
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Flat Feet
  • Hallux Rigidus
  • Turf Toe
  • Claw Toe
  • Lisfranc (Midfoot) Injury
  • Sprains and Fractures
    • Metatarsal
    • Calcaneus (Heel Bone)
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