February 2022

Ankle pain can sometimes be caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This autoimmune disease which attacks healthy tissue can often start in the joints of the feet and ankles. When RA attacks the lining in the ankle joint, it becomes inflamed and damaged, along with ligaments and cartilage surrounding the joint. Over time, this deterioration weakens the bones of the ankle, causing them to rub together. This can cause pain in the ankle (which worsens as the disease progresses), stiffness, inflammation, difficulty standing, tenderness, redness and warmth, lack of balance, and more. People with RA in their ankles may also develop corns and bunions, hammertoes, bursitis, pain in the ball of their foot, a collapsed arch, and the shape of their foot may change. Symptoms outside of the feet include a loss of appetite and weight, low grade fever, fatigue, and weakness in the muscles. Genetics, obesity, and smoking can increase your risk of getting RA. If you are experiencing ankle pain, make an appointment with a podiatrist as soon as possible. Along with a physical examination and review of your medical history, your podiatrist may need blood tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, and MRIs to properly diagnose RA and begin a course of treatment to slow its progression and help manage its symptoms.

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact Terri Quebedeaux, DPM of Agave Podiatry . Our doctor will assist you with all of your podiatric concerns.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

• Swelling and pain in the feet
• Stiffness in the feet
• Pain on the ball or sole of feet
• Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our offices located in Seguin, LaVernia, Gonzales, and Lockhart, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

When one or more ligaments in the ankle are overstretched or torn, an ankle sprain occurs. Ankle sprains can range from mild to severe. Podiatrists use a system of grading, or classification, to describe the severity of the sprain. A Grade 1 sprain is mild and characterized by mild pain, swelling, joint instability and stiffness, and difficulty jogging or jumping. A Grade 2 sprain is moderate and involves moderate pain, significant swelling, bruising, some loss of motion in the ankle, and trouble walking. A Grade 3 sprain, the most severe, is associated with severe pain, swelling, instability, loss of motion, and extreme difficulty walking. If you suspect that you may have sprained your ankle, please seek the care of a podiatrist. 

Although ankle sprains are common, they aren’t always minor injuries. If you need your ankle injury looked at, contact Terri Quebedeaux, DPM from Agave Podiatry . Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

How Does an Ankle Sprain Occur?

Ankle sprains are the result of a tear in the ligaments within the ankle. These injuries may happen when you make a rapid shifting movement while your foot is planted. A less common way to sprain your ankle is when your ankle rolls inward while your foot turns outward.

What Are the Symptoms?

• Pain at the sight of the tear
• Bruising/Swelling
• Ankle area is tender to touch
• In severe cases, may hear/feel something tear
• Skin discoloration

Preventing a Sprain

• Wearing appropriate shoes for the occasion
• Stretching before exercises and sports
• Knowing your limits

Treatment of a Sprain

In many cases, the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate) is used to treat ankle sprains. However, you should see a podiatrist to see which treatment option would work best with your injury. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

It is important to ask your doctor about rehab options after you receive treatment for your injury. Stretching, strength training, and balance exercises may help the ankle heal while also preventing further injury.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Seguin, LaVernia, Gonzales, and Lockhart, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Ankle impingement occurs when either soft tissue or bone fragments get compressed, or trapped, if you bend your ankle. This impingement is usually a result of an acute injury, or prolonged stress from repetitive activities. Ankle impingement can either be anterior (affecting the front part of the ankle) or posterior (affecting the back part of the ankle). Anterior ankle impingement usually causes pain on the front/outside of the ankle when the ankle is bent upward (dorsiflexion). Posterior ankle impingement can produce pain in the back of the heel when the ankle is pointed downward (plantarflexion). Ankle impingement is often diagnosed in athletes who play soccer and football, as well as in dancers, gymnasts, and runners. If you have this type of ankle pain, a podiatrist can help you restore ankle stability with certain strengthening exercises, while treating pain and inflammation with rest, icing, anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections, or even surgery in some cases.

Ankle pain can be caused by a number of problems and may be potentially serious. If you have ankle pain, consult with Terri Quebedeaux, DPM from Agave Podiatry . 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 Seguin, LaVernia, Gonzales, and Lockhart, TX . 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 Terri Quebedeaux, DPM from Agave Podiatry . 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 Seguin, LaVernia, Gonzales, and Lockhart, TX . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.