The three major causes of injury to the foot, ankle and leg are trauma, repetitive use and overuse. Treatment for minor issues includes rest, medication and physical therapy. Braces or casting may be necessary if treatment for minor issues is insufficient. Surgery is always considered as a final option.

The foot and ankle contain 26 bones, 33 joints, more than 100 muscles, tendons and ligaments; and a network of blood vessels, nerves, skin and soft tissue. These all work together to provide the body with support, balance and mobility. A structural flaw or malfunction in one part can result in the development of problems elsewhere in the body.

As with many other parts of the body, problems in the foot are usually caused by injury, wear and tear, bone disease or congenital flaws. Environmental factors, such as poorly fitting shoes, high-heeled shoes or running and walking on uneven ground can all damage the foot.

Ankle pain is often associated with a sprain. A sprain is an injury to the ligaments, which connect bones to one another. In most cases, the ankle is twisted inward, causing small tears in the ligaments. The tearing leads to swelling and bruising, making it difficult to bear weight on the joint.

Pain in the legs can be present because of conditions that affect bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, nerves and skin. Most often, inflammation of tissues is the source of pain.

A fracture in the foot, ankle or leg is a break in a bone. Bones are typically immobilized in a boot or cast. Based on the severity of the break or if multiple breaks occur, surgery might be used to repair the break as well. A series of pins, screws and plates may be used in combination to reset the broken parts. Recovery time varies based on severity of the injury.

• Physician may initially prescribe anti-inflammatory medication
• Shoe inserts or custom-made footwear may relieve discomfort
• Physician may administer injection of corticosteroid at pain site
• Physical therapy and exercise routines may be initiated

• Arthroscopic Debridement: an endoscopic camera is used to help remove bone spurs or other material causing pain
• Arthrodesis: bones are fused together during surgery using pins and rods
• Arthroplasty/joint replacement: joint surfaces are removed and replaced with an artificial joint

• Once confirmed by an X-ray, the physician determines whether the fracture requires surgery
• If surgery isn’t required, stabilization will be employed depending upon the location and severity of the injury

• When it's determined a fracture requires surgery, pins, screws and plates can be used to stabilize and align the fractured bone

• Splinting is followed by physical therapy for non-surgical cases
• Surgical procedures include tendon lengthening, loosening of soft tissue and joint contractures, and temporary pin fixation of joints in the foot

• The problem ligament is reconstructed to rebalance the unstable joint

• Deformities of the foot, ankle or leg are corrected to recreate alignment and stability
• If necessary, surgical steps may be considered by your physician

• Medication may be prescribed to reduce comfort
• To remove pressure from the pinched nerve, decompression surgery may be considered

• Based on the injury, your doctor will work directly with you to develop a physical
  therapy program

• Many bunions can be managed with a change in footwear
• Orthopedic surgery may be necessary when lifestyle adjustments and shoe modification are insufficient
• Your orthopedic foot specialist will work with you to determine the surgical technique to correct the problem