Ankle joints absorb a tremendous amount of stress and abuse over a lifetime. The ankles are workhorse joints that help us walk, run, jump, climb and perform a multitude of other functions that allow us to live, play and enjoy our lives. When...
The alphabet exercise is a range-of-motion exercise that helps keep the ankle supple and encourages blood flow through the joint. Your doctor or physical therapist might prescribe this exercise as part of your recover plan after ankle surgery. You...
The abbreviation; O.R.I.F. stands for Open Reduction/Internal Fixation. This refers to a variety of open orthopedic surgical techniques where broken bones in the ankle are repaired using various devices to restore the bones to normal position and...
Whatever the reason for your ankle surgery, rehabilitation plays a key role in properly healing your joint and returning it to a functioning level. Exercise options after ankle surgery concentrate first on improving your range of motion to prevent...
Rehabilitation for the Achilles tendon after ankle surgery must begin slowly to ensure that you regain the strength of your tendon and the range of motion of your ankle. Healing stretches should only be done after the initial postoperative care...
Ankle mobility exercises after ankle surgery are designed to help increase your range of motion as well as improve flexibility in your injured ankle. While ankle surgeries vary in complexity and recovery time, mobility and range of motion...
If you perform an activity or sport that involves rapid changes in direction, such as volleyball, football or basketball, you are in a higher-than-normal risk group for ankle sprains. About 85 percent of sprains harm the lateral ligaments in your...
You can injure your ankle through falls, from twisting or rotating motions, or as a result of impact during sports or an accident. An injury to your ankle often requires surgical intervention to help restore strength and range of motion to the...
Doctors usually recommend a period of immobilization after ankle surgery, during which the involved bones, connective tissues and muscles atrophy, or get smaller and weaker. Performing exercises to restore flexibility and strength following this...
Your ankle is one of the most complex joints in the body and supports much of the weight of your body when you're standing, walking or running. If your ankle becomes severely damaged as the result of an injury or a condition like arthritis, you...
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons notes that ankle replacement surgery, known as ankle arthroplasty, is not as common as hip or knee replacement. It is nevertheless needed in conditions where there is severe ankle arthritis or...
Ankle fusion surgery is often needed for patients with end-stage arthritis of the ankle. Some people develop this condition after an ankle injury, such as a fracture; for other patients, rheumatoid arthritis or damage to the blood vessels...
When ankle joints become damaged beyond the point of repair due to injury, arthritis or other conditions, a total ankle replacement offers the prospect of regaining full ankle function. During an ankle replacement, your surgeon will replace the...
Many ankle and foot surgeries require the use of a walker, cane, crutches or a wheelchair, all of which place abnormal stress on your joints. To prepare for this, many doctors recommend exercises to do before surgery to help strengthen the muscles...
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a compound ankle fracture occurs when several bones in your ankle become broken and your ankle becomes misaligned. This injury often requires surgery and up to three months of not being...
Ankle surgeries range from torn ligament repairs to screws and plates being inserted into your ankle after a severe break. Despite the different ailments that may require surgery, post surgery recovery often consists of a similar regimen of range...
The Chrisman-Snook procedure uses the peroneus brevis to replace severely damaged lateral ligaments of your ankle---the anterior talofibular ligament and the calcaneofibular ligament. These ligaments are usually injured as a result of repeated...
American Family Physician reports most patients have some relief with plantar faciitis surgery, but 27 percent had significant pain afterward. Plantar fasciitis causes inner heel pain that's worse in the morning or after sitting. Women, people...
Bones, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels in the feet depend on vitamins to function normally. Deficiency of a vitamin can have dramatic effects, causing a burning sensation, pain, muscle wasting and edema in the feet. In many cases, these...
Heel pain is most common reason for visits to podiatrists and it is increasing in incidence according to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. Being female, overweight or obese, or over 40 years of age increases the odds that a person...
Ankle surgeries are necessary due to bunions, arthritis, and injuries to bone, tendons or ligaments of the ankle joint. They usually include removal of a small portion of the bone, fusion of ankle, tendon repair or ankle joint replacement. If...
The peroneal tendons originate from the peroneal muscles of the lower leg and run just behind the bone of the outer ankle, or lateral malleolus. According to the Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy, these tendons help keep the...
If you have foot or ankle surgery, or if you injure your foot, chances are that you will receive a pair of crutches to help you get around for a certain amount of time. While crutches give you more mobility than a wheelchair, they look much easier...
A hairline fracture, also known as a stress fracture, is a crack or fissure in the surface of the bone. These types of fractures may not require a cast, or the doctor may prescribe a walking cast so that there is less risk of muscle atrophy or...
You may not appreciate your legs' true worth until you suffer an injury or pain from wear and tear on a knee. Regular exercise following a procedure such as a fracture repair surgery or knee replacement surgery can help you recover. However, seek...
One out of 10 people in the United States will develop plantar fasciitis at some point, according to Dr. Charles Cole and colleagues, writing in the Dec. 1, 2005 edition of the journal "American Family Physician." Plantar fasciitis refers to...
Clubfoot refers to a deformity of the foot. It can occur as a result of a congenital birth defect or it can occur during childhood, resulting from unknown causes. Clubfoot causes the ankle of the affected foot to turn inward. This inward turning...
Strengthening your muscles with a band is a good alternative to using weights. The bands can be tied tighter to create more resistance so you do not have to keep buying different bands. They are lightweight; making them easy to carry when...
The leg is made up of a variety of bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments that are crucial in your ability to stand and move. Sports, accidents and falls can cause injury to your leg. Injuries can include sprains, strains, muscle tears,...
Sprained ankles are the most common lower leg injuries especially among athletes. Learn more about what it is and how to treat it in this medical video clip.
Broken legs are usually significant injuries. Learn how to diagnose and treat a broken leg in this medical video.
Polio is a contagious viral illness that sometimes causes paralysis. Learn what it is like to live with polio from a patient in this disease condition video.
Polio is a contagious viral illness that sometimes causes paralysis. Learn what it is like to live with polio from a patient in this disease condition video.