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Introduction
Ankle and foot pain is very common and can have a significant impact on everyday life, for both patients with chronic foot and ankle symptoms as well as for those who have sustained an acute injury. Ankle and foot pain relate to problems in the structure and the function of the foot. The structure of the foot can be broken down into three main components: the forefoot, the midfoot, and the hindfoot. Each of these is essential for weight bearing and propulsion, and there are numerous bones and joints that provide stability yet also enable flexibility. The conformation of the foot is controlled by intrinsic and extrinsic muscles, which enable the foot to act as a rigid structure for propulsion, as well as a flexible structure to adapt to uneven surfaces. An insult or injury to any of these components can result in symptoms, and it is important to have a basic understanding of foot and ankle anatomy so the precise diagnosis can be made. Symptoms are normally related to an increase in load on a particular area or tissue in the foot, occurring during weight bearing activities. For example, pain developing in the sole of the foot can be associated with thinning of the fat pad under the heel, or it can suggest a problem with the plantar fascia. Often symptoms may prevent participation in certain activities and may also cause referred pain as the body tries to offload the affected area (e.g., favoring one leg due to hip or knee pain).
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Understanding Ankle Pain
A high ankle sprain involves damage to the ligaments that bind the tibia and fibula, above the level of the ankle syndesmosis. This is a more severe injury, with a longer recovery period of up to 3 months. Ankle fractures can range from simple avulsion fractures to complex fracture dislocation of the ankle joint. Any pain persisting more than a few days after injury or pain with weightbearing after 1 day should be investigated early with plain X-ray of the ankle. Any angulation of bone in the X-ray represents a fracture and should be seen by qualified orthopaedic doctors to realign the bone. Ankle fractures do not heal completely if bone alignment is not restored. This results in post-traumatic degenerative joint disease and a high chance of repeat fracture of the same ankle.
Pain can occur due to injury to the ligaments. Inversion or inward rolling of the ankle commonly results in overstretching or tearing of the outer ligaments of the ankle, which are much weaker than the inner ligaments. Ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries. Treatment of the initial acute stage with rest, ice, compression, and elevation is important to prevent chronic ankle instability. If a patient suffers repeated ankle sprains, especially with giving way of the ankle, this may be due to chronic ankle instability. This leads to an increase in shock to the ankle joint and can result in degenerative changes occurring inside the joint. Qualified orthopaedic doctors may want to use MRI to evaluate the extent of the damage of the ankle instability and consider ankle arthroscopy to clear out the debris and reconstructive surgery of the ligaments. Get effective ankle pain treatment Singapore tailored to your specific needs, ensuring swift relief and improved mobility.
The ankle is a hinge joint formed by the junction of the lower leg bones, the tibia and fibula, with the talus bone of the foot. The rearfoot is a complex combination of bones that makes a slight twist from the tibia and fibula to the top of the talus. Ankle movement primarily occurs at the juncture of the talus with the tibia and fibula. The talus sits on the heel bone, calcaneus. The subtalar joint is formed by the undersurface of the talus and the calcaneus. The joint is supported by numerous ligaments to add stability to its primarily stabilizing function during walking.
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Treatment Options for Ankle Pain
It can be difficult to decide the most effective treatment for chronic ankle pain if you are not given the proper information. The following are some non-surgical treatment options for ankle pain. The R.I.C.E. treatment is a common first-line of treatment for ankle pain. R.I.C.E. stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Participating in sports or simple walking may become quite painful with any one of a number of conditions that cause chronic ankle pain. Taking a break from your normal routine to allow your ankle to heal is very important. At the beginning of the injury, applying ice is the best way to control inflammation. Icing a painful ankle for 15-20 minutes, 3-4 times a day decreases the amount of swelling. After a few days of applying ice, the next step is to take advantage of compression bandages. The bandage should be snug, but not cutting off circulation. This type of bandage is designed to provide support to the ankle as well as keep the amount of swelling down. By decreasing the swelling you are also decreasing the amount of pain. Elevation goes hand in hand with compression. While you are lying down, elevate your ankle so that it is higher than your heart. This is the most effective way to drain the swelling from your ankle. Complete drainage of swelling can take a couple weeks if the injury is severe. Address your ankle pain Singapore with specialized care and personalized treatment options tailored to your condition.
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Foot Bone Pain Treatment
Foot and ankle specialists have specific treatments for foot bone pain, depending on the exact cause of the pain. If you are suffering from a stress fracture, treatment will be much different from someone with arthritis in the big toe joint. Common treatment to resolve the pain and inflammation in the foot will often include anti-inflammatory medications or cortisone injections. Some patients may be placed in a walking cast or use crutches to take the load off of the affected foot. For pain that is severe or lasts more than two weeks, you should seek the advice of a foot and ankle surgeon. Indications for surgery should almost always be determined by the severity of the pain and the impact it has on your quality of life. If you are having pain in a localized area and can identify a specific cause, it is best to make an appointment with a foot and ankle specialist. Choosing a doctor who is fellowship trained in foot and ankle surgery and who is board certified will be beneficial in selecting the best treatment for your condition to improve your quality of life.
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Conclusion
Medical intervention for ankle and foot diseases is a multidisciplinary effort involving orthopaedic surgeons, physicians, physiotherapists, podiatrists, and occupational therapists. Successful patient outcomes are mainly achieved at the first level of contact, as the majority of chronic diseases are the result of neglected trivial injuries in the past. These diseases are well treated at our clinic, as we advocate early intervention for minor injuries. Subacute and chronic diseases are managed well with a team effort, including advice on patient lifestyle modification, various levels of immobilization, medications, injections, physical therapy, and orthotics. We maintain close postoperative care and rehabilitation until functional recovery is achieved for our patients who have undergone surgery. Outcome studies have shown that early attention to symptoms and proper management can result in a shorter recovery time, preventing chronic conditions and even avoiding surgical intervention. These successful treatments and high patient satisfaction are the main driving force of our clinic from its infancy to the present day. With continual support and learning from each other and sharing opinions, our team will strive to provide the best possible care for patients with musculoskeletal ankle and foot injuries in Singapore. Find comprehensive foot bone pain treatment strategies designed to alleviate discomfort and restore functionality, ensuring long-term relief and enhanced quality of life.