The Foot Bone's Connected To The Ankle Bone: Problems Connected To These Bones

The foot bones, also known as tarsals, and the ankle bones, which are actually not separate bones at all but are made up of the top of the foot bone and the bottoms of the two lower leg bones, are all connected via cartilage and tendons. The reason why you end up with so many injuries to this area of the body has everything to do with the foot and the lower leg bones working together (or not working together!) to meet some pretty big demands. Here are some common injuries to the ankle and foot, and how a foot and ankle specialist typically treats them. 

Intense Pain on the Inside or Outside of the Ankle

If it feels as though someone is beating on or sawing through your soft tissues on one or both sides of your ankles, there is a good chance that the problem is with your feet. It sounds peculiar, but flat arches can pave the way to ankles rolling inward and outward. With every footfall, your feet and ankles are trying to compensate for the lack of arch support for the foot.

The feet roll inward with really flat feet and poor footwear. They roll outward when your feet and ankles are so sore that you intentionally try walking with your feet rolling off the flat arches. Pain that is only felt on the outsides of the ankles can be traced to high arches, since high arches push the foot and ankle outward. The specialist will assess your arches, then give you shoe inserts to correct whichever arch problem you have. You may also receive ankle braces to support your ankles if you are on your feet all day. 

"Cankles" When Excess Body Fat Is Not Present

"Cankles" are what people call your lower legs and ankles when they are so swollen together that there literally is no separation between your calves and your ankles. It is a common sight in obese people, but it can also happen for a multitude of other reasons. A strain, a sprain, a break of the lower leg bones near the ankle, pregnancy, and congestive heart failure can all cause cankles to appear.

People with exceptionally high pain thresholds can walk with a strain, a sprain, and a break for weeks before seeing a doctor. Sadly, that often does more damage to the bones that are trying to heal when there is a break. If you notice that you suddenly have a singular cankle but no pain, see the ankle/foot specialist right away. There may be something there that needs a lot more support than you think. 

If you're interested in finding out more, visit a site such as http://www.elmhurstpodiatry.com.


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