February 2022

The ankle is composed of a variety of bones, ligaments, and tendons and is designed to allow the movement for the foot and support the body. Pain in the ankle can have a variety of causes that include sprained ankles, stress fractures, tarsal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, and Achilles tendonitis. Patients who are experiencing ankle pain should look for a few signs to determine if the care of a podiatrist is necessary. These signs include severe swelling, an open wound or deformity, signs of an infection, or the inability to bear weight. Less severe injuries may still need to be looked at by a podiatrist, if the swelling has been there for 2 to 5 days or the pain has not subsided after several weeks. A podiatrist will be able to properly diagnose the source of the pain as well as suggest the best course of treatment for the condition.  

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Ahmad Elsamad, DPM from The Institute of Foot & Ankle Reconstructive Surgery . Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Ankle pain is any condition that causes pain in the ankle. Due to the fact that the ankle consists of tendons, muscles, bones, and ligaments, ankle pain can come from a number of different conditions.

Causes

The most common causes of ankle pain include:

• Types of arthritis (rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout)
• Ankle sprains
• Broken ankles
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Stress fractures
• Bursitis
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome
• Plantar fasciitis

Symptoms

Symptoms of ankle injury vary based upon the condition. Pain may include general pain and discomfort, swelling, aching, redness, bruising, burning or stabbing sensations, and/or loss of sensation.

Diagnosis

Due to the wide variety of potential causes of ankle pain, podiatrists will utilize a number of different methods to properly diagnose ankle pain. This can include asking for personal and family medical histories and of any recent injuries. Further diagnosis may include sensation tests, a physical examination, and potentially x-rays or other imaging tests.

Treatment

Just as the range of causes varies widely, so do treatments. Some more common treatments are rest, ice packs, keeping pressure off the foot, orthotics and braces, medication for inflammation and pain, and surgery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Merrillville, and Munster, IN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) that is more than 30 are considered to be obese. Obesity is believed to go hand in hand with certain foot disorders such as heel pain, tendonitis, arthritis, and other conditions caused from the stress of excess weight placed on the feet and ankles. Obesity can also put a person at risk for type II diabetes, which often leads to the development of other foot conditions. Losing weight can help reduce excess pressure on the feet and ankles, however exercising can be difficult when your feet are in pain. A podiatrist can treat foot conditions brought on by obesity and help alleviate foot pain by suggesting specific stretches and prescribing custom orthotics.

The more you weigh, the harder your feet must work to support your body. If you’re an obese individual and are concerned about your feet, contact Ahmad Elsamad, DPM from The Institute of Foot & Ankle Reconstructive Surgery . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

Obesity and Your Feet

People who are overweight are putting more pressure on their ankles, knees, and hips as well as their feet. This unfortunately can lead to variety of different issues.

Problems & Complications Stemming from Obesity

• When the body is overweight, it tries to compensate by changing the way that it moves. An obese person may lean forward and put extra weight on the wrong part of the foot. This puts unnecessary stress on the feet.
• Obese people are also more likely to develop type II diabetes which is a condition that causes a lot of foot problems. People with diabetes often don’t feel the cuts and sores that they may have on their feet, which can lead to more complicated and severe issues.
• Plantar fasciitis is another foot condition that can be caused by obesity. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the tissue along the bottom of the foot, which causes pain and stiffness while walking and climbing stairs.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Merrillville, and Munster, IN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

There are a variety of issues and injuries that can result in pain, swelling or stiffness to the feet and ankles, including trauma or just simple wear and tear on the body. While staying active is the best way to help keep your feet in shape, there are signs to look for that may indicate the care of a podiatrist is necessary. Anyone who has experienced significant trauma to a foot or ankle from a fall or direct injury would be wise to have the injured area examined by a professional as soon as possible. Further, if you notice that your feet or ankles are misshapen, have a hot or tender feeling, constantly hurt, or are unable to bear weight, it is suggested that you consult a podiatrist to find the source of the issue. Once a diagnosis is made, a podiatrist will be able to help provide a proper treatment plan.

Foot and ankle trauma is common among athletes and the elderly. If you have concerns that you may have experienced trauma to the foot and ankle, consult with Ahmad Elsamad, DPM from The Institute of Foot & Ankle Reconstructive Surgery . Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

Foot and ankle trauma cover a range of injuries all over the foot; common injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Muscle strains
• Injuries to the tendons and ligaments
• Stress fractures

Symptoms

Symptoms of foot and ankle injuries vary depending on the injury, but more common ones include:

• Bruising
• Inflammation/ Swelling
• Pain

Diagnosis

To properly diagnose the exact type of injury, podiatrists will conduct a number of different tests. Some of these include sensation and visual tests, X-rays, and MRIs. Medical and family histories will also be taken into account.

Treatment

Once the injury has been diagnosed, the podiatrist can than offer the best treatment options for you. In less severe cases, rest and keeping pressure off the foot may be all that’s necessary. Orthotics, such as a specially made shoes, or immobilization devices, like splints or casts, may be deemed necessary. Finally, if the injury is severe enough, surgery may be necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Merrillville, and Munster, IN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

When the outer layers of the skin on the feet are damaged and expose deeper tissues, it is known as a foot wound or ulcer. These wounds can occur from issues such as wearing shoes that don’t fit correctly, as well as an injury or trauma to the feet. If these wounds are left untreated, they may become infected which could lead to other issues including amputation. Common indicators of an infection include inflammation, redness, an odor, or thickened tissues. Patients who are at a higher risk for foot wounds (such as diabetics, who may have trouble feeling the wounds) or who notice that their foot wound is not healing, should have the wound looked at by a podiatrist. Upon examination, a podiatrist will likely remove the unhealthy skin and then help determine the best treatment method for the particular wound, including shoe padding, antibiotics, or even surgery.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, consult with Ahmad Elsamad, DPM from The Institute of Foot & Ankle Reconstructive Surgery . Our doctor will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Wound Care?

Wound care is the practice of taking proper care of a wound. This can range from the smallest to the largest of wounds. While everyone can benefit from proper wound care, it is much more important for diabetics. Diabetics often suffer from poor blood circulation which causes wounds to heal much slower than they would in a non-diabetic. 

What Is the Importance of Wound Care?

While it may not seem apparent with small ulcers on the foot, for diabetics, any size ulcer can become infected. Diabetics often also suffer from neuropathy, or nerve loss. This means they might not even feel when they have an ulcer on their foot. If the wound becomes severely infected, amputation may be necessary. Therefore, it is of the upmost importance to properly care for any and all foot wounds.

How to Care for Wounds

The best way to care for foot wounds is to prevent them. For diabetics, this means daily inspections of the feet for any signs of abnormalities or ulcers. It is also recommended to see a podiatrist several times a year for a foot inspection. If you do have an ulcer, run the wound under water to clear dirt from the wound; then apply antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover with a bandage. Bandages should be changed daily and keeping pressure off the wound is smart. It is advised to see a podiatrist, who can keep an eye on it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Merrillville, and Munster, IN . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.