Tendons are the strong, cord-like structures that anchor the muscles in your feet, ankle, and legs to your bones. When you overuse these muscles, or have a traumatic injury, or have arthritis, your tendons can become inflamed. This results in pain, swelling, and stiffness. The symptoms may often ease with rest but will return when you are active; common treatments include a boot, physical therapy, and surgery in some cases.

Because tendons attach the muscles of the foot and ankle to bones, when a tendon ruptures due to sudden twisting from a fall, or ruptures due to overuse, it can be extremely painful. There are multiple tendons in the foot, including the peroneus brevis, peroneus longus, posterior tibialis, anterior tibialis, and the Achilles tendon. Symptoms include a snapping or popping that you hear or feel, rapid bruising, inability to put weight on your foot or move your ankle, and constant pain. Treatments may include a brace or cast, orthotic devices for your shoes, injections, physical therapy, and surgery. We can help determine the severity of your foot and ankle injury and determine what kind of treatment will be best for you!

While tendons hold bones to bones, ligaments attach bones to bones. Because there are so many bones in your foot, ligament sprains and tears in this area are common. Overuse, intense physical activities like snowboarding or dancing, and sudden impact like twisting your ankle or foot can all lead to sprained or torn ligaments. These sprains and tears can range from minor to severe. For mild sprains and tears, crutches, rest, and pain medication may allow the ligaments to heal on their own. For severe tears, though, foot surgery is usually the best option. Our doctors can help diagnose the severity of your ligament injury and determine the right course of treatment!

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon you have, and stretches all the way from the bones of your heel to your upper calf muscles. Injuries to this tendon are common because of its size. Quickly speeding up, slowing down, or pivoting can cause an injury to the Achilles tendon, and are particularly common in athletes (runners, gymnasts, basketball players, etc.) Symptoms include pain above your heel, swollen ankle or foot, or a snapping/popping noise accompanied by instant and severe pain. While mild to moderate Achilles tendon injuries can heal with rest, painkillers, and stretching exercises, surgery is generally required to strengthen the tendon and decrease your chances of re-rupture. We can help you relieve your foot and ankle pain!