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Orthopedic Foot Specialist in Washington, PA

Foot and Ankle

It is estimated that the average person will walk over 100,000 miles in their lifetime. That's why it's important that everyone’s ankles and feet be strong and stable: the constant impact of walking and running can really take its toll. It's also unsurprising that the feet and ankles are some of the most frequently injured areas of the human body, and that many patients end up needing foot injury surgery to find relief.

At Advanced Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Specialists, we specialize in treating foot and ankle injuries. We work to diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate those suffering from pain, stiffness, swelling and other issues that can interfere with the enjoyment of life. Our team of orthopedic specialists employs a comprehensive approach to effectively treat your condition so you can get back on your feet as soon as possible.

If you're ready to take the first step towards finding a solution for your foot and ankle injuries with some of the top orthopedic doctors in Pittsburgh, PA, contact us at Advanced Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Specialists. Our experienced staff will be more than happy to discuss treatment options with you and get you on the path to recovery! Don’t wait any longer; start living pain-free today.

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X-ray view of the ankle

Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Surgeon

Common Foot and Ankle Pain Causes

Your feet and ankles are designed to support your body's weight and absorb the impact of everyday activities. However, they can be injured by trauma or overuse, leading to pain and discomfort. 

At Advanced Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Specialists, we can identify and treat the most common causes of foot and ankle pain.

Achilles Tendon Rupture

The Achilles tendon is the long tendon that connects the calf to the ankle. It also helps to move the foot up and down. When an Achilles tendon rupture occurs, it can be either partially torn or completely torn. Prompt evaluation from a foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon should be sought out.

Ankle Sprains and Fractures

An ankle sprain usually occurs when one or more of the ligaments gets injured in the ankle. Ligaments in the ankle are bands of tissue, like rubber bands, that connect one bone to another and bind the joints together. In the ankle joint, ligaments provide stability by limiting side-to-side movement. 

The severity of an ankle sprain depends on whether the ligament is partially or completely torn and on the number of ligaments involved. Most ankle sprains occur on the outer aspect of the ankle. Some ankle sprains are worse than others.

Ankle Fractures

Common injuries and most often occur when the ankle rolls inward or outward. Many people mistake an ankle fracture for an ankle sprain, but they are quite different and require an accurate and early diagnosis. However, both can occur simultaneously. 

The ankle can have a wide array of injuries and the severity of the fracture can range from the small pieces of bone that have been pulled off (less-severe avulsion injuries) to more severe, shattering-type breaks of the tibia, fibula, or both.

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis of the ankle and foot usually occurs when the cartilage in the ankle joint wears away. This leaves the irregular bone and cartilage to rub against bone and causing pain. This condition is common in people over the age of 50, but can start at younger ages. 

Several diseases can result in arthritis, but trauma and rheumatoid disease are the most common causes in the ankle. Other inflammatory types of arthritis that can affect the foot and ankle are rheumatoid, inflammatory, gout, psoriasis, lupus (SLE), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and Reiter’s syndrome.

Bunions

A condition where there is a malalignment of the first toe. Bunions are a common problem that most individuals experience as a painful swelling or a bony protuberance at the inner base of the big toe. These can also be hereditary or secondary to wearing high-heeled or
narrow toe-box shoes.

Claw and Hammer Toe

These deformities are common conditions that are primarily caused by the wearing of footwear that is too tight and fits poorly. Often, these deformities can be congenital or due to other problems.

Claw toes appear exactly as their name would suggest, like a closed fist. Because of the joint variations of the toes (big toes have two bones, the other toes have three), claw toes cannot occur in the big toe. Claw toes are usually the result of an imbalance in the your toe muscles and thus cause the tendons and ligaments to become tight. The cause of this imbalance can include neuromuscular disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, or other conditions. Because of this deformity, a rigid claw toe is very painful and has limited mobility.

There are two types of hammer toes which are classified on the degree of mobility found in the joint itself, flexible and rigid. A rigid hammer toe has minimal movement and can be painful. In contrast, a flexible hammer toe, does have the ability to move and can be straightened manually.

Flat Foot

Flat foot or “Flat feet” is a condition where the arch of the foot has collapsed along with your entire sole of the foot coming into direct contact with the ground. Causes of flat feet include tendon failure, bone structure, genetics, or a combination of these.

Usually there is no pain associated with flat feet. However, the condition may lead to misalignment to other structures of the feet. Pain may start to develop in the calf, lower back, and arch. In occurrences of severe flat feet, patients may have pain that makes moving and/or standing difficult. Prolonged standing or strenuous athletic activity usually worsens this pain.

Heel Pain

Every mile you walk puts 60 tons of stress on each foot. Your feet can handle a heavy load, but too much stress pushes them over their limits. When your feet pound on hard surfaces from sports or shoes that irritate sensitive tissues, heel pain may develop, the most common problem affecting the foot and ankle. 

A sore heel will usually get better on its own without surgery given enough rest. However, many people try to ignore the early signs of heel pain and continue doing the activities that caused it. A sore heel will only get worse and could become a chronic condition leading to more problems.

Lisfranc Fracture

This injury is both a fracture and dislocation to the middle of the foot. This is a very important area of the foot as there are a group of small bones that form the arch shape of the foot. These bones are connected to each other in this arch shape by a group of ligaments called the Lisfranc ligaments. 

Injuries to these bones and Lisfranc ligaments are often caused by falls, twisting injuries, or heavy objects dropping on the foot. The most common problem that can develop in the long-term after these injuries is arthritis in the middle of the foot.

Posterior Tibial Tendonitis

This becomes a fairly common problem for the foot as we enter middle age. The posterior tibial tendon (PTT) itself runs along the inner aspect of the leg and ankle. It helps support the arch of the foot. Posterior tibial tendonitis occurs when this tendon becomes inflamed through overuse. In more severe cases, the inflammation can cause the tendon to tear. 

Most patients with this problem complain of pain at the inner ankle and arch. Some people may feel unsteady when walking. Without treatment, this condition can cause collapse of the arch and development of arthritis.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome

TTS is caused by a compression or squeezing on the posterior tibial nerve at the inner aspect of the ankle. This painful condition is often due to inflammation or injury. TTS is similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, where tarsal tunnel refers to the compression of a nerve in a confined space. The tarsal tunnel is an area created by the very strong ligament that covers a bony canal through which pass the major nerve, artery, vein, and tendons of the foot. 

Individuals who suffer from tarsal tunnel syndrome exhibit symptoms that include tingling, burning sensations, numbness, and shooting pain. These symptoms occur most often at rest or just before sleeping at night.

Frequently Asked Questions

What foot and ankle treatments do you provide?

At Advanced Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Specialists, we offer a variety of treatments for foot and ankle injuries. Depending on the severity of your injury, we may recommend physical therapy, orthotics, medications, or even surgery. Our experienced team will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan so you can achieve maximum results.

Some of our most common procedures include:

  • Achilles Tendon Repair Surgery: Used to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon, this surgery helps restore flexibility and strength to the ankle.
  • Ankle Sprain and Fracture Surgeries: We can repair torn ligaments or broken bones in the ankle with procedures such as arthroscopy and open reduction internal fixation.
  • Arthritis Surgery: We can help reduce pain and improve joint function with procedures such as ankle fusion and ankle replacement. 
  • Bunion Correction Surgery: Bunion removal surgery is a common procedure to remove the bony lump and realign the toes.
  • Cheilectomy: This procedure helps reduce pain and improve joint mobility. 
  • Heel Pain Treatments: Our team can help reduce pain and inflammation with injections, physical therapy, and custom orthotics.
  • Non-Operative Ankle and Foot Treatments: Our non-operative treatments include (but are not limited to) physical therapy, custom orthotics, and anti-inflammatory medications.
  • Posterior Tibial Tendonitis Surgery: Used to repair torn or damaged tendons, this surgery helps improve foot stability.
  • Total Ankle Replacement: If an ankle is severely damaged and non-operative treatments are not effective, we may recommend total ankle replacement to restore normal joint function.

Why might I need a total ankle replacement?

Total ankle replacement is typically recommended when non-operative treatments are not effective in relieving pain and restoring joint mobility. This surgery is used to replace a damaged, arthritic ankle joint with an artificial joint made of metal and plastic components. Total ankle replacement helps reduce pain, improve function, and restore normal range of motion.

Does your foot and ankle doctor near me accept insurance?

Yes! Advanced Orthopaedics is proud to be in-network with the majority of providers in the Western Pennsylvania region, including UPMC and Highmark. Visit our Insurance page to learn more, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions.

How can I get started with the best foot ankle specialist near me?

It’s easy to request your first appointment at Advanced Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Specialists. Just use our online scheduling tool to request a time that works for you, and we’ll get you scheduled at our location in Washington, PA as soon as possible.

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