Foot ankle pain can be really annoying, especially after a long day of walking. Prodromal foot assessments could also be carried out to predict potential future foot problems. For healthy individuals who do not currently suffer from foot or ankle problems, assessments may still be arranged to recognize any preexisting foot and ankle problems, and if any abnormality is discovered, custom-made shoe inserts, or stretches, or lifestyle modifications could be recommended accordingly to prevent future problems.

For some, help and relief can be a shoe insert, a brace, or a series of injections. However, foot and ankle issues can be much more complicated than commonly assumed and may be stemming from various problems. Some pain issues in the foot and ankle can also often be related to more systemic problems and can often be the presenting symptoms of neurologic, vascular, dermatology, immunology, or other chronic diseases. They may also result from poorly controlled diabetes, rheumatoid or other types of chronic arthritis, muscle problems related to poor blood circulation, joint or tendon problems related to repetitive trauma, etc. Prompt diagnosis and intervention by the foot & ankle pain specialist are essential to help stop the progression, reverse inflammatory changes, and to alleviate the pain.

Foot and ankle problems are very common. Most people will experience some form of foot or ankle pain in their lifetime, yet this remains one of the most overlooked and under-prioritized areas of medical treatment. This is unfortunate, as conservative, non-invasive, and surgical treatments are constantly improving, enabling people to lead active, healthy lives despite foot and ankle pain.

Overview of Foot and Ankle Pain

Patients who are experiencing pain should make an appointment to see an orthopaedic surgeon to get a proper assessment, especially if it is persistent or getting worse. Pain that increases with walking or a lingering ache after sleeping should not be ignored. If the pain is associated with significant discomfort which interferes with activities of daily living, an assessment is advisable. Orthopaedic surgeons have the necessary training and facilities to diagnose the cause of the pain. They carry out physical exams, take a complete medical history and have X-rays and MRIs available for additional investigation if necessary. Burning pain in ankle might mean you’ve got an injury or some irritation going on.

Foot and ankle pain are symptoms of underlying medical and health conditions. These symptoms can contribute to problems affecting the hips, knees, or back and which are part of the kinetic chain. Pain may be caused by something as simple as improperly fitting footwear or by more serious medical conditions such as tendonitis, arthritis, and gout. Pain may come on suddenly or develop slowly and the sensations can be constant or intermittent. It may affect the whole foot or ankle or be localized in one area and often, the location of the pain helps to identify the underlying cause.

Importance of Timely Diagnosis and Treatment

Ankle pain diagnosis often involves a thorough examination and maybe some imaging tests to pinpoint the issue. Seeking treatment at our clinic in Singapore and consult our orthopaedic surgeon can help you get the right care and relief. The rehabilitation time and recovery time for foot and ankle pain can be long and challenging. It is important to have an early diagnosis and treatment plan instituted. Foot and ankle pain conditions may require treatment for a significant period of time before improvement is observed. At The Orthopaedic and Pain Practice, we have developed a comprehensive approach to manage various foot and ankle pain conditions. By employing both conservative and minimally invasive methods, we help our patients avoid surgery whenever possible. However, sometimes a foot and ankle or other orthopedic-related surgery may become necessary. When that happens, we are able to perform procedures such as foot and ankle reconstruction or correction of deformities caused by diabetic neuropathy (Charcot deformities) with the expertise of an orthopedic surgeon. Not only are our patients able to obtain a comprehensive diagnosis from specialists in both orthopedics and pain management, but they can also obtain the surgical treatment sometimes required as well. We provide a complete and seamless end-to-end solution for our patients with foot and ankle pain. This is one of the many ways our practice is unique and why patients choose to come to us from all over Singapore.

Fractures, plantar fasciitis, and tendinitis are three of the leading causes of foot and ankle pain. Pain can also be due to issues with the outline of the foot, fallen arches, or require realignment. Foot and ankle pain can also be due to arthritis or degeneration of joints, sprains and strains, or even compressed nerves. The potential causes of foot pain are numerous and varied. We are able to handle all sorts of foot and ankle pain at our practice. Our patients appreciate that they are able to consult with both an orthopedic surgeon and a pain management specialist at the same facility. This makes the treatment process faster and more convenient, leading to better recovery outcomes. Most importantly, the rate of successful treatment is much higher, as both an orthopedic surgeon and a pain management specialist will always be personally involved in our patients’ care.

At The Orthopaedic and Pain Practice, we are dedicated to the relief of pain and suffering, and restoration of the highest attainable level of function and independence for all patients. We work with other healthcare professionals to make a positive difference in the lives of our patients by addressing the full spectrum of pain and musculoskeletal problems through education, treatment, and rehabilitation. We place particular emphasis on the ethical and economic aspects of treatment, which we believe are integral parts of the care we provide. Our primary goal is to improve the quality of the lives of those suffering from the whole spectrum of musculoskeletal and pain problems in the greater Singapore community.

Imaging Techniques

Many instances, especially for those with degenerative, inflammatory, or traumatic conditions, MRI is the optimal imaging modality. The Orthopaedic and Pain Practice offers MRI scan optimized for musculoskeletal conditions for detailed soft tissue imaging, while avoiding the hassles of a large hospital, crowded waiting rooms, and invasive, noisy environment while covering your head and being slowly pushed into a small chamber by on-site radiologists and technicians. A summary consultation with your orthopaedic doctor can be immediately arranged to review your images and discuss your treatment plan.

Computerized tomography uses ionizing radiation to create cross-sectional images, can be particularly useful for fractures that do not show well on conventional x-rays or from existing metal hardware, a prior joint replacement in addition to complex multi-planar imaging of bone structures with high spatial resolution. Highly detailed images of the bone architecture generated serve as valuable input for surgical techniques, especially for fusions and arthrodesis and some foot anatomy.

While limited, ultrasound is helpful for the assessment of the soft tissue structure, such as tendons and ligaments, to determine their attachment sites and looking for inflamed sites for the management of pain and mobility rehabilitation. The assessment of tendon compliance, any tears, tendonitis, and associated bursa are readily evaluated.

For further evaluation of the foot and ankle, established deformities can be ascertained with standing x-rays to allow for proper pre-operative planning. Precise measurements of bony anatomy are made from x-rays and are used for custom guide milling for foot surgeries.

Non-Surgical Interventions

Non-surgical sports medication is a distinct kind of orthopaedic treatment. Below is a complete summary of non-surgical orthopaedic treatment along with expert physicians working on nonsurgical sports injuries at the Orthopaedic and Pain Practice. The expertise of all your ailments in the musculoskeletal structure (within the muscle, hip, and wrist) rendered by an agent.

A professional doctor will inspect you, acquire a few test records, and figure out if you need any non-surgical intervention or discomfort aid. Upon assessment, the anatomical reasons for your pain can be diagnosed. A nonsurgical approach provides non-drug strategies for pain management. Physical therapy is a frequent kind of nonsurgical therapy and involves participating in numerous activities – like gaining physical strength, tissue manageability, support of the muscle system, and exchange of physical knowledge.

Common non-surgical interventions include pharmacotherapy, physical therapy, placement of orthotics, and combining procedures. The specialists at the Orthopaedic and Pain Institute will conduct a few diagnostic tests to determine the appropriate medicine or intervention you will require. In certain cases, conditions can be managed with nonsurgical methods, although in some cases they may necessitate surgical procedures. The specialists will provide you with complete knowledge, and upon your consent, will carry on with the non-surgical procedures to treat your health issues.

Surgical Options

It is easy to see how one could damage their ankle or foot and develop pain that just does not seem to improve with time, pain relievers, injections, or other treatments. Frequently, these people have what appears to be an X-ray abnormality that is not healing or a tendon or, more commonly, a joint function “too far out of alignment” or that has “too much play” for it to heal with conservative treatment options.

Given all of the potential movement combinations and positions our feet can be put in, plus the amount of force that can be put through them during movement and exercise, it is not surprising that feet can be commonly injured and are the source of long-term, nagging pain in some people. This chapter focuses on the more common types of pain that are related to a bone or joint injury that just does not go away for years. The different surgical options, including the rationale for and the effectiveness of the surgeries, are discussed.

Feet are a crucial part of what keeps people active and functioning on a daily basis. Common activities, such as running, walking, swimming, and cycling, can lead people to a visit to their orthopedic or primary care physician due to pain or injury sustained. Unfortunately, a decline in foot health can have devastating effects on the quality of life and general comfort of a person and land them on the sidelines. Therefore, it is important that people suffering from foot and ankle pain seek professional help from a doctor.