Ankle, Foot and Heel Conditions
Achilles Tendonitis | Ankle Instability | Heel Spurs | Plantar Fasciitis
The most common operative ailments treated for the ankle joint and subtalar joint (the joint below the ankle) are lateral compression syndrome, ankle instability, and osteoarthritis and tendonitis. Dr. Alan Lazar is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Doctor in Plantation, Broward County, Florida who treats the full spectrum of ankle, foot, and heel conditions. Call 954-476-9494 or request an appointment online to receive the highest standard of orthopedic care in the Broward County, Plantation, Florida area.
Achilles Tendonitis
The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body. It connects the calf muscle to the heel bone and is used when walking, running, and jumping.
Achilles tendonitis is a common condition that causes pain along the back of the leg near the heel. It is caused by injury or disease resulting in swelling, pain, and/or irritation. The two types of tendonitis are noninsertional and insertional. With noninsertional Achilles tendonitis, fibers in the middle portion of the tendon have begun to break down with tiny tears, swell, and thicken. Insertional tendonitis involves the lower portion of the heel where the tendon attaches to the heel bone. With both types, damaged tendons may harden, and bone spurs may form.
The condition occurs in athletes and non-athletes alike and is caused by repetitive stress to the tendon. Symptoms include:
- Pain and stiffness
- Severe pain the day after exercising
- Thickening of the tendon
- Bone spur
- Swelling
A sudden “pop” may indicate a ruptured Achilles tendon. Please call Dr. Lazar immediately if you think you may have ruptured or torn your tendon.
Dr. Lazar diagnoses Achilles tendonitis with a physical exam and imaging (x-rays, MRI), and he offers non-surgical and surgical treatments to help heal the condition or injury.
Learn more about Achilles Tendonitis in our Patient Education Library.
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Ankle Instability
Ankle instability is when the outer side of the ankle “gives way” time and time again. People with chronic ankle instability experience a repeated turning of the ankle; persistent discomfort and swelling; pain or tenderness; and/or the ankle feeling wobbly.
Ankle instability might develop from an ankle sprain that did not heal properly or that was not rehabilitated completely. When a person sprains an ankle, the connective tissues, or ligaments, are stretched or torn. Physical therapy is needed to strengthen the muscles around the ankle and “retrain” the tissues within the ankle that affect balance.
Repeated ankle sprains often cause chronic ankle instability. Each subsequent sprain leads to further weakening or stretching of the ligaments, resulting in greater instability and the likelihood of developing additional problems in the ankle.
In addition to physical therapy, Dr. Lazar might also recommend bracing, medication, or surgery for ankle stability treatment.
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Heel Spurs
As people age, bones grow and edges may sharpen. These little growths on the outside of the bone are sharpened edges called bone spurs, and they may cause pain by rubbing on nerves or pinching tendons.
After diagnosing heel bone spurs with a physical exam and imaging (x-rays, MRI), Dr. Lazar might recommend non-surgical treatments and arthroscopic surgery to relieve pain and to help the patient become pain free in the heel.
Learn more about heel spurs in our Patient Education Library.
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Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis causes pain on the bottom of the heel. It occurs when the strong band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot becomes irritated and inflamed. This area is called the plantar fascia and is a long, thin ligament that connects the heel to the front of the foot. Sometimes, the plantar fascia becomes damaged from too much pressure.
People suffering from plantar fasciitis feel heel pain and stiffness.
Dr. Lazar diagnoses plantar fasciitis by a physical exam and imaging (x-rays, MRI) when necessary. He offers a variety of non-surgical treatments, including cortisone injections, medication, and physical therapy.
Learn more about plantar fasciitis in our Patient Education Library.
Go back to the top
Go back to Our Specialties main page
Ankle, Foot and Heel Conditions
Achilles Tendonitis | Ankle Instability | Heel Spurs | Plantar Fasciitis
The most common operative ailments treated for the ankle joint and subtalar joint (the joint below the ankle) are lateral compression syndrome, ankle instability, and osteoarthritis and tendonitis. Dr. Alan Lazar is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Doctor in Plantation, Broward County, Florida who treats the full spectrum of ankle, foot, and heel conditions. Call 954-476-9494 or request an appointment online to receive the highest standard of orthopedic care in the Broward County, Plantation, Florida area.
Achilles Tendonitis
The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body. It connects the calf muscle to the heel bone and is used when walking, running, and jumping.
Achilles tendonitis is a common condition that causes pain along the back of the leg near the heel. It is caused by injury or disease resulting in swelling, pain, and/or irritation. The two types of tendonitis are noninsertional and insertional. With noninsertional Achilles tendonitis, fibers in the middle portion of the tendon have begun to break down with tiny tears, swell, and thicken. Insertional tendonitis involves the lower portion of the heel where the tendon attaches to the heel bone. With both types, damaged tendons may harden, and bone spurs may form.
The condition occurs in athletes and non-athletes alike and is caused by repetitive stress to the tendon. Symptoms include:
- Pain and stiffness
- Severe pain the day after exercising
- Thickening of the tendon
- Bone spur
- Swelling
A sudden “pop” may indicate a ruptured Achilles tendon. Please call Dr. Lazar immediately if you think you may have ruptured or torn your tendon.
Dr. Lazar diagnoses Achilles tendonitis with a physical exam and imaging (x-rays, MRI), and he offers non-surgical and surgical treatments to help heal the condition or injury.
Learn more about Achilles Tendonitis in our Patient Education Library.
Go back to the top
Ankle Instability
Ankle instability is when the outer side of the ankle “gives way” time and time again. People with chronic ankle instability experience a repeated turning of the ankle; persistent discomfort and swelling; pain or tenderness; and/or the ankle feeling wobbly.
Ankle instability might develop from an ankle sprain that did not heal properly or that was not rehabilitated completely. When a person sprains an ankle, the connective tissues, or ligaments, are stretched or torn. Physical therapy is needed to strengthen the muscles around the ankle and “retrain” the tissues within the ankle that affect balance.
Repeated ankle sprains often cause chronic ankle instability. Each subsequent sprain leads to further weakening or stretching of the ligaments, resulting in greater instability and the likelihood of developing additional problems in the ankle.
In addition to physical therapy, Dr. Lazar might also recommend bracing, medication, or surgery for ankle stability treatment.
Go back to the top
Heel Spurs
As people age, bones grow and edges may sharpen. These little growths on the outside of the bone are sharpened edges called bone spurs, and they may cause pain by rubbing on nerves or pinching tendons.
After diagnosing heel bone spurs with a physical exam and imaging (x-rays, MRI), Dr. Lazar might recommend non-surgical treatments and arthroscopic surgery to relieve pain and to help the patient become pain free in the heel.
Learn more about heel spurs in our Patient Education Library.
Go back to the top
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis causes pain on the bottom of the heel. It occurs when the strong band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot becomes irritated and inflamed. This area is called the plantar fascia and is a long, thin ligament that connects the heel to the front of the foot. Sometimes, the plantar fascia becomes damaged from too much pressure.
People suffering from plantar fasciitis feel heel pain and stiffness.
Dr. Lazar diagnoses plantar fasciitis by a physical exam and imaging (x-rays, MRI) when necessary. He offers a variety of non-surgical treatments, including cortisone injections, medication, and physical therapy.
Learn more about plantar fasciitis in our Patient Education Library.
Go back to the top
Go back to Our Specialties main page