How did my foot or ankle get this way?

Only a small percentage of the population is born with foot or ankle problems. Most of the problems arise from an injury. This may eventually cause arthritis — a painful and sometimes debilitating joint inflammation. As we age, the symptoms in the arthritic area often become worse and can include, in addition to pain, stiffness and a loss of range of mobility.

Sometimes, especially early on, foot and ankle pain can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications such as (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), physical therapy, orthotics or other “conservative” treatments.  Over time these conservative measures fail to relieve pain in certain patients.Once this point is reached, fusion may the best or only option for relief.

Fusion of the ankle or hindfoot (including subtalar fusion, calcaneocuboid fusion, talonavicular fusion, triple arthrodesis or double fusion) is a surgical procedure designed to immobilize the affected joint.  Fusion of the joint eliminates the pain associated with movement.