Items filtered by date: February 2022

Bone spurs (osteophytes) are bony deposits or growths that develop on the ends of bones that sometimes occur in response to an abnormality around a joint. Overuse injuries or ankle sprains may cause bone spurs to form on the front of the ankle joint (on the tibia and/or talus bones). These spurs can pinch (impinge), cause pain, and decrease mobility in the ankle when the foot is bent upward (dorsiflexion). The medical term for this condition is anterior ankle impingement. It is sometimes referred to as "footballer's ankle,” or “athlete's ankle.” This is because athletes that need to frequently dorsiflex their ankles—such as ballet dancers, soccer and football players, runners and gymnasts alike—are more at risk of developing this condition. Treatment for footballer’s ankle may start by trying to reduce inflammation at the joint by resting and icing it, taking oral anti-inflammatory medicines, wearing ankle braces, or getting cortisone injections. If these more conservative measures do not provide adequate relief from the impingement, arthroscopic debridement may be necessary to remove the bone spur(s). If the front of your ankle is painful, or you are having difficulty bending your foot upward at the joint, it’s a good idea to consult with a podiatrist to see if you have a bone spur on your ankle.

Ankle pain can have many different causes and the pain may potentially be serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Quad Cities Foot and Ankle Associates. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Bettendorf, and DeWitt, IA and Rock Island, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Ankle pain can sometimes be caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This autoimmune disease which attacks healthy tissue can often start in the joints of the feet and ankles. When RA attacks the lining in the ankle joint, it becomes inflamed and damaged, along with ligaments and cartilage surrounding the joint. Over time, this deterioration weakens the bones of the ankle, causing them to rub together. This can cause pain in the ankle (which worsens as the disease progresses), stiffness, inflammation, difficulty standing, tenderness, redness and warmth, lack of balance, and more. People with RA in their ankles may also develop corns and bunions, hammertoes, bursitis, pain in the ball of their foot, a collapsed arch, and the shape of their foot may change. Symptoms outside of the feet include a loss of appetite and weight, low grade fever, fatigue, and weakness in the muscles. Genetics, obesity, and smoking can increase your risk of getting RA. If you are experiencing ankle pain, make an appointment with a podiatrist as soon as possible. Along with a physical examination and review of your medical history, your podiatrist may need blood tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, and MRIs to properly diagnose RA and begin a course of treatment to slow its progression and help manage its symptoms.

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Quad Cities Foot and Ankle Associates. Our doctors will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

• Swelling and pain in the feet
• Stiffness in the feet
• Pain on the ball or sole of feet
• Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Bettendorf, and DeWitt, IA and Rock Island, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Taking care of your foot health is important at any stage of your life but becomes increasingly important with age. Older adults are more likely to have medical conditions that affect their feet, such as diabetes, poor circulation, neuropathy, or arthritis, and may also be at an increased risk of foot injuries, deformity, weakness, and pain. Poor foot health is often associated with a decrease in quality of life and lower independence in completing activities of daily living. Unfortunately, the feet are sometimes neglected when it comes to regular checkups. If you are an older adult, ignoring your feet could lead to problems. It is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist regularly to monitor your foot health and treat any existing conditions. 

If you need your feet checked, contact one of our podiatrists of Quad Cities Foot and Ankle Associates. Our doctors will attend to all of your foot and ankle needs and provide you with quality treatment.

Geriatrics and Podiatry
When people age, some common issues that may occur are bone density loss, dry skin, poor circulation, and rough brittle nails. These issues may also affect your foot health if the necessary steps are not taken to alleviate the problems.

It is important to take care of your feet because feet that are injured or diseased can affect your overall health. Having painful feet hinders your ability to do daily activities or may decrease your willingness to do the things that you need to do.

Visiting Your Geriatrician
As we age, health problems become more likely, so it is essential to visit your doctor for check-ups to ensure that you are doing the best you can to take care of your health. It is recommended to check your feet frequently for any possible cuts, bruises, swelling, corns or any other irregularities. 

Taking Care of Elderly Feet
Cracked or dry feet can be treated by applying moisturizer often. It is also important not to wear old socks because the older the sock is, the higher the possibility there will be that there is bacteria there. Wear fresh socks and make sure they fit properly.

Proper foot health means that you can have a more active lifestyle and you will not be bogged down by pain. Foot health also leads to good circulation, which is paramount for overall health.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Bettendorf, and DeWitt, IA and Rock Island, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar fasciitis and heel spurs can often be associated conditions affecting the heel. Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammation of the long, fibrous tissue that extends across the sole of the foot (plantar fascia) when this tissue becomes damaged or torn. Heel spurs can be a result of plantar fasciitis, where damage to the plantar fascia causes tiny calcium deposits to form on the heel bone. These deposits can build up on the inside of the heel bone and reach up to 1/2” in length. An X-ray may be necessary to diagnose heel spurs as they often do not produce symptoms. When symptoms are present, they present typically as a stabbing pain in the heel, caused by the spurs sticking into the heel’s fat pad. Podiatrists have a great deal of experience with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs and have a variety of treatments to promote healing and relieve pain. Don’t live with heel pain: have your condition diagnosed and treated by a podiatrist as soon as possible.

Many people suffer from bouts of heel pain. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Quad Cities Foot and Ankle Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Causes of Heel Pain

Heel pain is often associated with plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a band of tissues that extends along the bottom of the foot. A rip or tear in this ligament can cause inflammation of the tissue.

Achilles tendonitis is another cause of heel pain. Inflammation of the Achilles tendon will cause pain from fractures and muscle tearing. Lack of flexibility is also another symptom.

Heel spurs are another cause of pain. When the tissues of the plantar fascia undergo a great deal of stress, it can lead to ligament separation from the heel bone, causing heel spurs.

Why Might Heel Pain Occur?

• Wearing ill-fitting shoes                  
• Wearing non-supportive shoes
• Weight change           
• Excessive running

Treatments

Heel pain should be treated as soon as possible for immediate results. Keeping your feet in a stress-free environment will help. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, applying ice will reduce the swelling. Stretching before an exercise like running will help the muscles. Using all these tips will help make heel pain a condition of the past.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Bettendorf, and DeWitt, IA and Rock Island, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.