Merck Manual

Please confirm that you are a health care professional

honeypot link

Overview of Foot and Ankle Disorders

By

Kendrick Alan Whitney

, DPM, Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine

Reviewed/Revised Oct 2021 | Modified Sep 2022
View PATIENT EDUCATION
Topic Resources

Most foot problems result from anatomic disorders or abnormal function of articular or extra-articular structures (see figure Bones of the foot Bones of the foot Bones of the foot ). Less commonly, foot problems reflect a systemic disorder (see table ).

In people with diabetes and people with peripheral vascular disease, careful examination of the feet, with evaluation of vascular sufficiency and neurologic integrity, should be done at least twice a year. People with these diseases should examine their own feet at least once a day.

See also table and table .

Bones of the foot

Bones of the foot
How to Examine the Foot
Show Details Hide Details

Examination demonstrated by Paul Liebert, MD, Tomah Memorial Hospital.

How to Examine the Ankle
Show Details Hide Details

Examination demonstrated by Paul Liebert, MD, Tomah Memorial Hospital.

Considerations for using corticosteroid injections

Corticosteroid injections should be used judiciously to avoid adverse effects. Injectable corticosteroids should be reserved for inflammation (such as gout Gout Gout is a disorder caused by hyperuricemia (serum urate > 6.8 mg/dL [> 0.4 mmol/L]) that results in the precipitation of monosodium urate crystals in and around joints, most often causing recurrent... read more Gout and disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease that primarily involves the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis causes damage mediated by cytokines, chemokines, and metalloproteases.... read more Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) ), which is not present in most foot disorders. Because the tarsus, ankle, retrocalcaneal space, and dorsum of the toes have little connective tissue between the skin and underlying bone, injection of insoluble corticosteroids into these structures may cause depigmentation, atrophy, or ulceration, especially in older patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Insoluble corticosteroids can be given deeply rather than superficially with greater safety (eg, in the heel pad, tarsal canal, or metatarsal interspaces). The foot should be immobilized for a few days after tendon sheaths are injected. Unusual resistance to injection suggests injection into a tendon. Repeated injection into a tendon should be avoided because the tendon may weaken (partially tear), predisposing to subsequent rupture.

Table
Table
Table
View PATIENT EDUCATION
NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
quiz link

Test your knowledge

Take a Quiz! 
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
TOP