
Health Articles

Each of the following health articles was authored by one of our expert orthopedic doctors at Orthopedic Associates. Please use the Learn More button to read the article in full.
Ingrown Toenails
An ingrown toenail occurs when the corners of a nail curl downward and grow into the skin on the edge of the toe, causing pain and swelling.
High Ankle Sprain (Syndesmosis Ligament Injury)
This condition is a sprain of one or more of the ligaments that hold the tibia and fibula together at the ankle.
Hallux Rigidus (Stiff Big Toe)
This condition, also known as hallux limitus, is a form of degenerative arthritis that affects the joint at the base of the big toe.
Hammer Toe
This condition is a deformity in which a toe bends downward at the middle joint. The second toe is the one most likely to be affected, but this deformity can occur in other toes as well. Sometimes, more than one toe is affected.
Total Hip Resurfacing (Wright)
This surgery replaces diseased and damaged portions of the hip with implants designed to restore function to the hip joint.
Jones Fractures
This is a break of a bone in the foot called the "fifth metatarsal." It's on your foot's outer side, behind the little toe. With a Jones fracture, this bone breaks on the end furthest from the toe.
Total Hip Resurfacing
This surgery replaces diseased and damaged portions of the hip with implants designed to restore function to the hip joint.
Haglund's Deformity (Retrocalcaneal Bursitis)
This condition is a bony enlargement on the back of the heel that can aggravate the retrocalcaneal bursa, a fluid-filled sac located on the back of the heel between the Achilles tendon and the calcaneus.
Total Hip Replacement, Anterior Approach (Accolade®)
This surgery replaces diseased and damaged portions of the hip with implants designed to restore function to the hip joint.
Gout
This is a form of arthritis. It causes pain and swelling in your joints. For many people, it starts in the big toe.
Fracture of the Heel Bone (Calcaneus)
This condition is a break in the heel bone, called the calcaneus, which forms the back of the foot. This bone supports the foot and is important for normal walking.
Ankle Fracture Surgery
This surgical procedure is used to correct a fracture of the fibula or tibia in the ankle joint.
Achilles Tendon Lengthening
This procedure is designed to treat problems with the Achilles tendon, such as chronic tendonitis or a short or contracted Achilles tendon. A series of cuts is created in the tendon to allow it to stretch and lengthen.
Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle
Stress fractures are small cracks that can occur in a bone because of overuse or activities that place high stress on the structures of the foot and ankle.
Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Foot and Ankle
Rheumatoid arthritis (we call it "RA") is a chronic disease. It affects joints throughout your body. It commonly starts in your hands or feet. For many people, it causes problems in the feet and ankles.
Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)
This condition is an overstretching and inflammation of the posterior tibial tendon, which travels from a muscle in the calf down to the arch of the foot.
Anesthesia (Lumbar Puncture, Spinal Anesthesia)
This numbing medication is injected into the cerebrospinal fluid through a fine needle placed near the nerve roots of the lower spine. It can be used to numb the abdomen, groin, legs and feet.
Tibial Fractures
This condition is a break in the shin bone, called the tibia. A tibial fracture can occur anywhere along the bone, and can range from small cracks to a full break that allows the bone to separate.
Anesthesia (Epidural)
Epidural anesthesia is a numbing medication injected through a catheter placed in the epidural space of the spine. It can be used to numb the abdomen, groin, legs and feet.
Sesamoiditis
This injury involves two small bones under the foot near the big toe. They are called "sesamoid" bones. They aren't directly connected to other bones of the foot. Instead, the sesamoids are embedded in tendons.