Ankle Conditions

Arthritis is inflammation in a joint as a result of cartilage degeneration causing joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and restricted movement. Arthritis of the foot and ankle joint can occur due to fractures, dislocation, inflammatory disease, or congenital deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease in which the body’s immune system (the body’s way of fighting infection) attacks its own healthy joints, tissues, and organs.

Arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis is a surgical procedure to treat severe foot and ankle arthritis that has not responded to non-operative treatments. It is performed using an arthroscope and involves fusion of bones that make up your ankle joint into one unit. The bones in the ankle joint include the tibia, talus, and fibula. The arthroscope is a flexible tube with a light and video camera at the end.

A sprain is the stretching or tearing of ligaments. Ligaments connect adjacent bones and provide stability to a joint. An ankle sprain is a common injury that occurs when you suddenly fall or twist the ankle joint, or when you land your foot in an awkward position after a jump. Most commonly, it occurs when you participate in sports, or jump or run on a surface that is irregular.

An ankle fracture is a painful condition where there is a break in one or more bones forming the ankle joint. The ankle joint is stabilized by different ligaments and other soft tissues, which may also be injured during an ankle fracture.

The joints of the ankle are held in place and stabilized by strong bands of tissue called ligaments. Ankle instability is a chronic condition characterized by a recurrent slipping of the outer side of the ankle. It usually results from repeated ankle sprains, which are injuries to the ligaments. Ankle instability is generally noticed when you move your ankle joint but can also occur while standing.

The ankle joint is formed by the articulation of the end of the tibia and fibula (shinbones) with the talus (heel bone). Osteochondral injuries, also called osteochondritis dissecans, are injuries to the talus bone. It is characterized by damage to the bone as well as the cartilage covering it. Sometimes, the lower end of the tibia or shinbone may also be affected.

An ankle ligament injury, also known as an ankle sprain, can be caused by a sudden twisting movement of the foot during any athletic event or during daily activities. When stretched beyond its limit, the ligament may partially or completely tear. The injury can range from mild to severe, depending on the condition of the injured ligament and the number of ligaments involved.

Ankle pain refers to any form of pain or discomfort affecting the ankle joint. Your ankles are more prone to injury and pain since they bear the weight of your entire body. The ankle joint is composed of three bones: the tibia, fibula, and talus. It connects the leg to the foot. The tibia or shinbone, and fibula or calf bone, are lower leg bones that articulate with the talus or ankle bone. These bones are held together by a wide range of ligaments, tendons, and muscles which allow foot mobility.

Ankle dislocation is a condition that occurs when the bones of the lower leg called the fibula and tibia get separated from the talus or ankle bone. This can cause serious damage to the nerves and ligaments surrounding the ankle, leading to a decline in strength and overall health of the leg.

Ankle tendonitis is an inflammation of a tendon located in your ankle. Tendonitis can usually happen due to overuse of your ankle with repetitive movements or stretching. The ankle is one of the most common areas to develop tendonitis over other parts of the body. It is also sometimes referred to as ankle tendinitis.

A fracture is defined as a break in the continuity of the bone when a force against your body is too strong for the bone to bear. A tibial plafond fracture, also referred to as pilon fracture, is a type of break of the tibia (shinbone) that occurs close to the ankle joint. In most cases, a pilon fracture results in the breaking of both the tibia and fibula of the lower leg. The lower edge of these bones forms a portion of the ankle.