Foot and Ankle

The foot and ankle are two of the most complex parts of the body. The foot is composed of 26 bones and 33 joints, while the ankle is made up of three bones that are connected through a network of joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments to support the body and make movements. However, the foot and ankle are also susceptible to a range of conditions due to activity level, health issues and footwear choices that result in limited or loss of mobility. When this occurs, one should seek medical attention from an experienced foot and ankle doctor in Singapore for appropriate treatment.

What are the causes of foot and ankle conditions and injuries?

Pain arising from the foot and/or ankle can interfere with one’s daily routines. It may also be a sign of an underlying ailment that requires medical attention. Below are some of the most common causes of foot and ankle conditions:

Twisting or rotating the foot and ankle beyond normal motion
Tripping or falling with increased force
Wearing badly fitting footwear
Poor blood circulation and nerve damage
Wearing and tearing of the joints, ligaments and tendons
Chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis
Accidents and sports injuries

What are common conditions of the foot and ankle?

Common conditions of the foot and ankle include:

Arthritis – Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints in the foot and ankle, causing the breakdown of cartilage within the joint.
Achilles Tendon Injury – This occurs when a large tendon that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone becomes irritated, overstretched or ruptured.
Bunions – Also known as hallux valgus, a bunion is a painful bony bump at the bottom of the big toe that usually occurs when there is a misalignment in the first metatarsal bone, leading to abnormal enlargement of the joint.
Fractures – This refers to a break in one or more bones in the foot caused by extreme falling, twisting or collision against a hard surface. Fractures can either be small cracks or the complete tearing of a bone.
Sprains and Strains – These happen when ligaments (sprains) or muscles and tendons (strains) are stretched or torn due to sudden twisting of the foot.
Bursitis – This refers to the inflammation and swelling of bursae, a fluid-filled sac that helps reduce friction in joints.
Plantar Fasciitis – This is one of the most common orthopaedic foot and ankle conditions that occurs when a thick band of tissue (fascia) at the bottom of the foot becomes swollen.
Tendonitis – This is a condition where a tendon in the foot or ankle becomes inflamed or irritated due to joint overuse or acute injuries.
Hammertoe Deformity – This occurs when the little toes become bent at the middle joint, resembling a hammer.
Morton’s Neuroma – This is a condition that affects the forefoot or ball of the foot wherein the nerves between the bones of the toes become swollen or irritated.

What treatments are offered by our foot and ankle surgeon in Singapore?

Our orthopaedic doctor usually recommends treatment options for foot and ankle conditions and injuries depending on their severity. These may either be surgery or non-surgical treatments, and may include:

Ankle Sprain Treatment
Ankle Arthroscopy and Ligament Repair
Ankle Cartilage Repair - Arthroscopic and Open Surgery
Bunion Surgery - Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) and Open Surgery
Bunionette Surgery
Ankle Fusion - Arthroscopic and Open Surgery
Subchondroplasty
Total Ankle Replacement
- Tendoachilles Repair
- Complex Foot and Ankle Fractures/Dislocations
- Plantar Fasciitis Treatment

FAQ

How do I know if my foot and ankle pain is serious?

What conditions require foot and ankle surgery?

What can I do for foot and ankle pain?

Is foot and ankle surgery painful?

Axis Orthopaedic Centre is fully committed to helping patients to regain a pain-free lifestyle through a range of conservative treatments as well as foot and ankle surgery. Contact us for a consultation today.