PATIENT
EDUCATION

Types of Foot & Ankle Deformities That Cause Pain and Dysfunction

• Trauma that has caused changes to bone development and/or improper fracture healing
• Flat feet (low arches, pes planus)
• High arches (Cavus foot)
• Bunions (inflamed, hard lump on big toe causing it to be angled toward thesecond toe)
• Toe joint deformities (hammertoes, mallet toes, claw toes, fused toe joints)
• Haglund’s deformity (boney enlargement on heel bone)
• Osteochondrosis dissecans (loss of blood supply to foot and ankle bones that cause changes to bone and cartilage in the joints)

What Causes Foot & Ankle Deformities?

Foot and ankle deformities are often a result of traumatic injuries, congenital abnormalities (something you are born with), or diseases that affect nerves, muscles, and bones, such as diabetes, muscular dystrophies, tumors, and infections.

Nonsurgical Treatments

Dr. Tuvi Mendel, our experienced orthopaedic foot surgeon, and his team of specialists will work with you to determine the least invasive, most effective treatment options to treat your foot and ankle disorders. Nonsurgical treatments may include casting, splinting, using an orthotic, avoiding aggravating activities, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, and/or corticosteroid injections. While nonsurgical treatment can relieve conditions of the foot and ankle, surgery may be necessary for more severe cases.

Surgical Treatments

Due to the unique presentation of each individual’s circumstances surrounding his or her foot or ankle condition, Dr. Mendel and his team of specialists will work with you to determine the most appropriate, least invasive treatment options. For more severe cases requiring surgery, soft-tissue and bone reconstruction may be necessary. In any case, Dr. Mendel is able to offer procedures that give patients an alternative to fusions (such as ankle replacements) as well as many minimally invasive surgical techniques.