Solutions for Foot and Ankle Problems

Our feet and ankles are put through a lot on a daily basis. They endure great amounts of force simply by bearing our weight and keeping us moving, and they’re often the first parts of us to scout out into the world (sometimes finding the leg of a coffee table).

It’s easy to take all our feet do for us for granted, until something starts to go wrong. Then we quickly realize just how crucial they are to us!

When you need help for foot and ankle problems, our specialists provide expert diagnoses and care across the spectrum. We’ll get to the source of your discomfort and help you find relief in the most effective ways possible.

Foot and Ankle Pain

Foot and ankle pain—and especially heel pain—is a very common occurrence. Frankly, it’s also one we wish more people would decide to take action on!

If you have had consistent pain or discomfort that hasn’t improved in time, odds are extremely low it will get any better by waiting longer. It could even grow worse.

 Only when a source of pain is correctly identified can the right form of treatment be provided. A few potential causes of pain include:

  • Plantar Fasciitis – The number one culprit when it comes to heel pain. The strong band of tissue running beneath each foot (the plantar fascia) becomes overstrained, developing small tears and inflammation. If your heels hurt right when you get up in the morning, it might be this.
  • Bones Spurs – While not always problematic, these hard growths along bone edges can sometimes become painful.
  • Arthritis – Pain and stiffness in joints caused either through wear and tear (osteoarthritis), abnormal immune response (rheumatoid arthritis) or other causes (gout).
  • Metatarsalgia – Pain in the forefoot or ball of the foot, often as a result of overuse or excess force against the front of the foot.
Person holding foot with pain due to nerve problems

Sports Injuries

No matter what activities you enjoy or your level of expertise, nobody is immune from a potential foot or ankle injury.

While many sports injuries happen as a result of an impact or sudden force, such as sprains and fractures, many others are the result of overuse—pushing the body too hard or too far.

Examples of foot and ankle sports injuries include:

  • Stress Fractures – As opposed to fractures that break clean through a bone, stress fractures are small cracks that run along the surface of the bone.
  • Achilles Tendinitis – An inflammation of the largest tendon of the body, connected the heel bone to the calf muscle. In severe cases, the Achilles tendon can tear or fully rupture.
  • Turf Toe – A sprain of the large toe, often seen in field sports when the foot is planted into the turf and ends up bending unnaturally.
Podiatrist evaluating woman's foot for plantar fasciitis
Child Blowing a Dandelion

Pediatric Care

Young feet can experience pain, as well as many of the same conditions that older feet do. Ingrown toenails, plantar warts, sports injuries, and even bunions are all possibilities.

Additionally, there are certain aspects of childhood development that are worth keeping an eye on. Some children may be born with foot deformities, while many have flatfoot and other “quirks” that tend to vanish with age—but action should be taken as soon as possible if not!

Active adolescents may also suffer from heel pain as a result of pressure or strain against their growing heel bone. This condition, known as Sever’s disease, is only seen during this period.

Diabetic Foot Care

For patients who have diabetes, both preventative care and immediate response to injuries is extremely important to a healthy and mobile future.

The effects of diabetes can lead to even small cuts turning into large ulcers. The potential for this must be prevented as much as possible through self-examinations and regular check-ups.

When wounds do occur, we are equipped to treat them and encourage accelerated healing. This reduces the risk of dangerous infections.

diabetic foot

A Full Range of Treatment

Our office provides care for many more conditions, including but not limited to:

When you or a loved one has a problem that is affecting quality of life, the worst thing you can do for it is hope it blows over. Give Capital Podiatry Associates a call at (703) 560-3773 and take the first steps toward receiving the relief you deserve.

8101 Hinson Farm Rd Ste 301, Alexandria, VA 22306

(FAX) 703-799-0050

Mon-Fri: 8a - 4p