Foot and Ankle

At Total Spine & Orthopedics, our foot and ankle team treats everything from everyday heel pain and sprains to complex deformities and arthritis—with the same patient-first approach that defines our spine and orthopedic care. Whether your symptoms started on a morning run or after an old injury, we provide a thorough evaluation (including weight-bearing X-rays and advanced imaging when needed) to pinpoint the cause and build a clear, step-by-step plan. Most patients improve with conservative care such as activity modification, custom orthotics, physical therapy, and image-guided injections; when surgery is appropriate, we emphasize minimally invasive and outpatient options designed to reduce pain and speed recovery. Explore the common conditions below to learn what they are, typical symptoms, and how we can help—right here at our convienient Florida locations.

Heel & arch pain

• Plantar fasciitis: Stabbing heel pain (worst with first steps) from inflammation of the plantar fascia.
• Heel spur: Bony growth on the heel often linked to plantar fasciitis; the spur itself isn’t always the pain source.
• Achilles tendinitis/tear: Pain or tightness at the back of the heel/calf from tendon irritation or rupture.
• Haglund’s deformity: Bony bump at the back of the heel that rubs in shoes, often with bursitis.

Ankle injuries & instability

• Ankle sprain: Stretched or torn ligaments causing swelling, bruising, and pain with walking.
• Chronic ankle instability: Repeated “giving way” after prior sprains; may need bracing, therapy, or ligament repair.
• Ankle fracture: Broken ankle bones; treatment ranges from casting to surgical fixation.
• Osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT): Cartilage/bone injury inside the ankle joint causing deep pain, catching, or swelling.

Forefoot & toe problems

• Bunion (hallux valgus): Big-toe drifts toward the second toe, creating a painful bump.
• Lapiplasty: A common minimally invasive procedure often used to treat bunions. 
• Hallux rigidus: Arthritis of the big-toe joint leading to stiffness and pain when pushing off.
• Hammertoes/claw toes: Bent toe joints that rub in shoes, causing corns and soreness.
• Morton’s neuroma: Pinched nerve between the toes (often 3rd–4th) causing burning or tingling in the ball of the foot.
• Metatarsalgia: Achy, bruised feeling under the ball of the foot from overload or shoe pressure.
• Sesamoiditis: Inflammation under the big-toe joint from overuse or high heels.

Alignment & arch disorders

• Flatfoot (adult-acquired, often from posterior tibial tendon dysfunction): Collapsing arch with inner-ankle pain and fatigue.
• Cavus foot (high arch): Rigid high arch leading to ankle sprains, calluses, and forefoot pain.

Tendon disorders (besides Achilles)

• Posterior tibial tendinopathy: Inner-ankle pain and weakening of the arch; can progress to flatfoot.
• Peroneal tendinopathy/tear: Outer-ankle pain, swelling, or snapping after overuse or sprains.
• Tibialis anterior tendinitis: Pain at the front of the ankle/foot, worse with uphill walking or lifting the foot.

Nerve & soft-tissue conditions

• Tarsal tunnel syndrome: Tibial nerve compression at the inner ankle causing numbness, tingling, or burning in the foot.
• Ganglion cysts: Fluid-filled lumps around joints/tendons that may ache or press on nerves.

Bone stress & traumatic injuries

• Stress fractures: Hairline cracks from overuse (common in metatarsals/navicular) causing pinpoint pain with activity.
• Lisfranc (midfoot) injury: Sprain or fracture in the arch; swelling and inability to push off are typical.

Skin, nail, & wound care

• Ingrown toenail: Nail edge grows into skin causing pain and possible infection.
• Onychomycosis (fungal nails): Thick, discolored nails; treated with topical/oral meds and debridement.
• Plantar warts: Viral skin lesions on weight-bearing areas; painful with pressure.
• Corns & calluses: Thickened skin from friction/pressure; often linked to shoe fit or toe deformities.
• Diabetic foot ulcers/neuropathy: Nerve loss and poor healing lead to sores; requires off-loading and wound care.
• Charcot foot: Collapse/deformity of the foot in neuropathy; may require urgent off-loading and specialist care.

Joint inflammation & arthritis

• Osteoarthritis (ankle, hindfoot, midfoot, toes): Wear-and-tear joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
• Gout: Sudden, intense joint pain (commonly big toe) from uric acid crystal buildup.

Pediatric foot issues

• Sever’s disease (calcaneal apophysitis): Heel pain in active kids from growth-plate irritation.
• Flexible flatfoot (children): Common arch flattening; usually painless and observed unless symptomatic.