Foot Ankle Ortho

T reating foot and ankle orthopedic conditions is always a challenge. Unlike other orthopedic conditions foot and ankle pain has always been difficult to diagnose for orthopedic surgeons as this subject is less explored in orthopedic training. Due to lack of awareness amongst general population and limited exposure for general orthopedic surgeons often foot and ankle problems get ignored or treated in adequately. A sub speciality of orthopaedic specialist under go specific training in dealing with fractures, deformity, and painful conditions of foot and ankle and are called fellowships trained foot and ankle surgeon which is something extra in addition to orthopedic degree. So when we should consider seeking a foot and ankle specialist is when your pain in any foot and ankle region is not subsiding with medications or you are having recurrent pain or swelling. There are more than 20 bones and joints in the foot and ankle making it very difficult to detect and diagnose the exact point ...

Diabetic foot is a debilitating condition that requires careful management, especially for individuals residing in Odisha, India. The combination of diabetes, high blood sugar levels, and inadequate foot care can lead to severe foot complications. In this blog post, we will provide a comprehensive guide to preventing and treating diabetic foot in Odisha, highlighting local resources and available treatments. Prevention Strategies: Regular Foot Examinations: Individuals with diabetes in Odisha should prioritize regular foot examinations by healthcare professionals to detect any signs of complications early on. Proper Foot Hygiene: Maintaining good foot hygiene is crucial. Wash your feet daily with mild soap and lukewarm water. Dry them thoroughly, paying attention to the spaces between toes. Nail Care: Trim your nails straight across and file the edges. Avoid cutting too close to the skin to prevent injuries. Footwear Selection: Choose comfortable, well-fitting shoes that provide ade...

  Retrocalcaneal heel pain is one of the most common problems we face in orthopaedic department. Patients with pain over the back of the heel are usually active and people who stand for long hours. These patients usually complain of   heel pain   over the back of the heel and have a constant swelling which does not subside. Symptoms Middle age ladies (40-60 years) Pain over the back of the heel Swelling over the back of the heel Difficulty in climbing up stairs If the symptoms persist then may lead to chronic tear and rupture of tendon Pathology A bone growth over the posterior aspect of the heel bone Constant irritation of the Tendo Achilles X-ray  / MRI Retrocalcaneal bone growth and intra tendinous calcification Avulsion of the calcific chronic tear Treatment Conservative  heel pain treatment  of problems with less than 2 weeks duration Local ice packs Analgesia Rest Calf stretching exercises If conservative treatment fails for more than > 6 months Su...

Common foot problems in children are almost invariably related to wrong foot wear, poor hygiene and family genetics. Top three of these problems in my clinical practice would be Flat foot  with easy fatigability and pain Injuries while playing Toe deformity (mallet toe, hammer toe and hallux valgus) All the above-mentioned problems can be due to improper foot wear. Improper foot wear is a common reason behind many of the kids coming to my clinic where they complain of pain in foot while playing or repeated injuries due to poorly designed shoes or toe deformities due to lack of room in their shoes. Some of the factors which should be considered while buying a good foot wear for your child should be Comfort and light weight Wide and high toe box with room to wriggle toes (an inch of space in front of the longest toe) A soft heel counter with a well-padded support to cradle the Achilles tendon and heel bone A good protective and breathable material used to make the shoe Shoes preferab...

  Ankle injuries are very common in active population. 70% of ankle injuries are twisting injuries and 20% of these twisting injuries lead to chronic instability with pain. These patients are however neglected and fail to receive the right treatment. Most of us take ankle twisting injuries casually however there can be more than 20 causes of persistent ankle pain which can lead to difficulty in daily activities. We routinely deal with ankle injuries and we have had the opportunity to give pain free ankles to our patients. Persistent chronic ankle pain needs attention if it extends more than 6 weeks from the day of injury. Common problems are pain, swelling and instability which needs attention in these patients. So if you are having pain more than a month after ankle twisting injury or haven’t seen a foot and ankle specialist in time you must get yourself evaluated. Top 3 causes of prolonged pain after twisting injury are ATFL ligament injury  – Anterior Talofibular ligament i...

Twisting injury of the ankle is a very common condition and mode of injury we see daily. However, some are mild injuries while others are major which may not let the patient bear weight. These major injuries are up to 20 % of all ankle twisting injuries. These patients if not evaluated properly and left untreated may lead to a chronic painful ankle. There can be more than 20 reasons for chronic ankle pain after a twisting injury, starting from fractures to tendon injuries to ligament injuries. So, it is better to get yourself evaluated by a trained foot and ankle specialist if you are suffering from such chronic ankle pain. The important signs that indicate you need special care is persistent swelling, repeated twisting or instability, pain while climbing or getting down stairs, difficulty in walking on uneven surfaces, pain in the ankle after walking for a short distance and clicking or snapping noise in the ankle.  A basic examination by a specialist in foot and ankle can detect...