Foot & Ankle
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South Orange County Orthopaedics
Orthopaedic Surgeons located in Orange County, Mission Viejo, CA
Feet and ankles are the unsung heroes of the human body. They support the entire weight of our bodies, day in and day out with little appreciation. But when something goes wrong it’s time to turn to Dr. William Wang and the surgical team at South Orange County Orthopaedics, Inc, in Mission Viejo, California. For swift and effective solutions for your foot or ankle pain call, or use their simple online scheduling to secure an appointment that fits your schedule.
Foot & Ankle Q & A
What are some common foot & ankle problems?
Consider the roles that your feet and ankles play in your daily life. These parts of our bodies are both incredibly strong, yet comprised of many delicate connections of bone, muscle, ligaments, tendons, nerves and other tissues.
It should be no surprise that numerous issues can negatively affect the proper function of feet and ankles. Here are just a few common foot and ankle problems:
- Bunions
- Sprains
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Arthritis
- Stress fractures
- Corns
- Clubfoot
Your doctor can address some of these issues easily, while others require the services of a highly skilled orthopaedic surgeon.
What is plantar fasciitis and how is it treated?
Your plantar fascia is a long ligament that connects the front of your foot to your heel bone. It lies directly under the skin on the bottom of your foot and provides support to your arch.
The plantar fascia is strong and works to absorb the range of daily stress and strain that you place on your feet throughout any given day. If the ligament becomes damaged, your body reacts by creating inflammation in the area. That leads to significant pain in your heel and stiffness extending across the bottom of your foot.
Plantar fasciitis usually hurts more when you place weight on the affected foot after a period of rest. Your first step in the morning can be your worst. The pain often subsides after you move around a bit.
If rest and icing do not provide relief, your doctor may recommend targeted stretching exercises. Cortisone injections can help reduce inflammation and wearing supportive shoes, orthotics, or night splints can also provide relief. If these options are not effective, there are surgical corrections.
What is ankle arthroscopy?
Arthroscopy is a surgical process that allows your surgeon to examine the inner structures of your ankle without a large incision or a complicated surgical procedure. The word arthroscope is derived from the Greek words “arthro” (joint) and “skopein” (to look.)
Arthroscopy is performed by inserting slim instruments that have a small fiber optic light and lens through a small incision in your ankle. The resulting images are transmitted to a monitor, allowing your doctor to examine the inner structures of your ankle joint.
Arthroscopic exams can help diagnose and treat:
- Osteoarthritis
- Acute or chronic ankle injury
- Inflammation of the ankle
To see if ankle arthroscopy can help your foot and ankle concerns, schedule a consultation with South Orange County Orthopaedics, Inc, today.
