Foot Injuries and Disorders (Print Version)

Each of your feet has 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 tendons, muscles and ligaments. No wonder a lot of things can go wrong. Here are a few common problems:

Bunions - hard, painful bumps on the big toe joint
Hammer toes - toes that curl downward into a claw-like position
Calluses and corns - thickened skin from friction or pressure
Plantar warts - warts on the soles of your feet
Fallen arches - also called flat feet

Ill-fitting shoes often cause these problems. Aging and being overweight also increase your chances of having foot problems.

Start Here

Common Foot Problems(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00142
Also available in Spanish http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00497
Common Foot Problems(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/diseaseGroups/feet.htm

Overviews

Foot and Ankle(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00144

Diagnosis/Symptoms

Bone X-Ray (Radiography)(American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America) - http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=bonerad&bhcp=1
Also available in Spanish http://www.radiologyinfo.org/sp/info.cfm?pg=bonerad
Foot Pain(DSHI Systems) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.freemd.com/foot-pain/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
Foot Problems(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/544.printerview.html
Foot Push-Up Test(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/push-up.htm
Foot Swelling (DSHI Systems) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.freemd.com/foot-swelling-unilateral/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
Numbness of the Feet or Toes(DSHI Systems) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.freemd.com/numbness-of-the-feet-or-toes/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
Where Does It Hurt?(American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) - http://www.aofas.org/Scripts/4Disapi.dll/4DCGI/cms/review.html?Action=CMS_Document&DocID=187

Treatment

Foot and Ankle Injuries(American Podiatric Medical Association) - http://www.apma.org/s_apma/doc.asp?CID=371&DID=9412
Also available in Spanish http://www.apma.org/s_apma/doc.asp?CID=374&DID=9243
Forefoot Surgery(American Podiatric Medical Association) - http://www.apma.org/s_apma/doc.asp?CID=371&DID=9399
Orthotics(American Podiatric Medical Association) - http://www.apma.org/s_apma/doc.asp?CID=371&DID=9423
Also available in Spanish http://www.apma.org/s_apma/doc.asp?CID=374&DID=9248
Rearfoot Surgery(American Podiatric Medical Association) - http://www.apma.org/s_apma/doc.asp?CID=371&DID=9426

Rehabilitation/Recovery

Foot Activity and Exercise Guide(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00141&return_link=0
MedlinePlus: Mobility Aids - Canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mobilityaids.html

Disease Management

Acute Inflammation(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/inflammation.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.footphysicians.com/espanol/inflamacion-aguda.htm

Specific Conditions

Arthritis(American Podiatric Medical Association) - http://www.apma.org/s_apma/doc.asp?CID=394&DID=9385
Also available in Spanish http://www.apma.org/s_apma/doc.asp?CID=374&DID=9236
Blisters: First Aid(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/first-aid-blisters/WL00008/METHOD=print
Burning Feet: Causes and Treatments?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/burning-feet/HQ00362/METHOD=print
Cavus Foot (High-Arched Foot)(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/cavus-foot.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.footphysicians.com/espanol/pie-cavo.htm
Charcot Foot(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/charcot-foot.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.footphysicians.com/espanol/pie-de-charcot.htm
Compartment Syndrome(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00204
Corns and Calluses(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/corns-and-calluses/DS00033/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
Equinus(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/Equinus.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.footphysicians.com/espanol/equinismo.htm
Flexible Flatfoot(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/flatfoot.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.footphysicians.com/espanol/pie-plano-flexible.htm
Foot Drop(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/foot-drop/DS01031/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all
Foot Drop(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/foot_drop/foot_drop.htm
Foot Sprain(InteliHealth) - http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/25957.html
Fracture of the Talus(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00170
Fractures of the Fifth Metatarsal(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/fifth-metatarsal_fractures.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.footphysicians.com/espanol/fracturas-del-quinto-metatarsiano.htm
Ganglion Cyst(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/ganglion-cyst.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.footphysicians.com/espanol/quiste-de-ganglio.htm
Get Square with Your Feet: Add Arthritis to the Mix(Arthritis Foundation) - http://www.arthritis.org/foot-care.php
Itchy Hands or Feet(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/diseaseGroups/itchyHandsFeet.htm
Lisfranc (Midfoot) Fractures(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00162&return_link=0
Malignant Melanoma of the Foot(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/Malignant_Melanoma.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.footphysicians.com/espanol/melanoma-maligno-del-pie.htm
Metatarsalgia(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/metatarsalgia/DS00496/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
Morton’s Neuroma(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/mortons-neuroma.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.footphysicians.com/espanol/neuroma-de-morton.htm
Peroneal Tendon Injuries(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/peroneal-tendon.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.footphysicians.com/espanol/lesiones-del-tendon-peroneo.htm
Plantar Warts(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/plantar-warts/DS00509/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD)(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/pttd.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.footphysicians.com/espanol/disfuncion-del-tendon-tibial-posterior.htm
Puncture Wounds(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/puncture-wounds.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.footphysicians.com/espanol/heridas-por-puncion.htm
Sesamoid Injuries in the Foot(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/Sesamoid_Injuries.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.footphysicians.com/espanol/lesiones-en-un-hueso-sesamoideo-del-pie.htm
Stress Fractures of the Foot and Ankle(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00379
Tarsal Coalition(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/Tarsal_Coalition.htm
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/tarsal-tunnel-syndrome.htm
Trench Foot or Immersion Foot(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/trenchfoot.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/espanol/trenchfoot.asp

Pictures & Photographs

Callus(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/callus.htm
Corn(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/corn.htm
Pitted Keratolysis(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/pittedKeratolysis.htm
Plantar Wart(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/plantarWart.htm

Videos

Tendon and Ligament Repairs in the Foot and Ankle(OR-Live) - Requires media player - One hour program - http://www.or-live.com/distributors/NLM/rnh.cfm?id=297
Also available in Spanish http://www.or-live.com/distributors/NLM-Spanish/wrm_1463/rnh_sp.cfm

Anatomy/Physiology

Foot Skeletal Structure(American Podiatric Medical Association) - http://www.apma.org/s_apma/doc.asp?CID=14&DID=8980

Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Foot Diseases(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Foot+Diseases%22
ClinicalTrials.gov: Foot Injuries(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Foot+Injuries%22

Genetics

Genetics Home Reference: Hand-foot-genital syndrome(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=handfootgenitalsyndrome

Journal Articles

References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Article: Changes in dynamic foot pressure after surgical treatment of valgus... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18676902&tool=MedlinePlus
Article: Fixation techniques for split anterior tibialis transfer in spastic equinovarus... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18648897&tool=MedlinePlus
Article: Fungal nail infection. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18617498&tool=MedlinePlus
Foot Injuries and Disorders -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(foot[majr]+AND+(orthotic+devices[majr]+OR+sports[majr]+OR+athletic+injuries[majr]))+OR+(foot/ab[majr]+OR+tarsal+joints[majr]+OR+foot+injuries[majr]+OR+(foot+diseases[majr]+NOT+(fasciitis,plantar[mh]+OR+heel+spur[mh]+OR+metatarsalgia[mh]))+OR+foot+deformities[majr])+NOT+(leg[majr:noexp]+OR+ankle+injuries[mh]+OR+ankle[mh]+OR+ankle+joint[mh]+OR+heel[majr]+OR+leg+injuries[majr:noexp]+OR+femoral+fractures[majr:noexp]+OR+tibial+fractures[majr]+OR+leg+bones/injuries[majr:noexp]+OR+diabetic+foot[mh]+OR+tinea+pedis[mh]+OR+toes[majr]+OR+toe+joint[majr]+OR+hammer+toe+syndrome[majr]+OR+hallux+valgus[majr]+OR+hallux+varus[majr])+AND+humans[mh]+AND+english[la]+AND+(jsubsetk[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+systematic[sb])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus

Dictionaries/Glossaries

Glossary of Foot and Ankle Terms(American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) - http://www.aofas.org/scripts/4disapi.dll/4DCGI/cms/review.html?Action=CMS_Document&DocID=94
Glossary of Orthopaedic Words(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/glossary.cfm

Directories

Find a Physician (Podiatrist)(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/findphysician/default.htm?disclaimer=1
Find an Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle MD(American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) - http://www.aofas.org/Scripts/4Disapi.dll/4DCGI/directory/person.html?Action=AOFAS&AOFAS_Activity=Directory&MenuKey=123&Time=77704784&SessionID=88303289sfi4661559tb9f1p3j86a4a85344ld49u0034xa00j3495nbi16f1fz7
Find an Orthopaedist(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://www6.aaos.org/about/public/members.cfm

Organizations

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - http://www.aaos.org/
American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society - http://www.aofas.org/
American Podiatric Medical Association - http://www.apma.org/
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases - http://www.niams.nih.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://www.niams.nih.gov/Portal_En_Espanol/

Law and Policy

Medicare(American Podiatric Medical Association) - http://www.apma.org/s_apma/doc.asp?CID=395&DID=9416

Statistics

If the Shoe Fits, Wear It(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00146&return_link=0

Children

Blisters, Calluses, and Corns(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/aches/blisters.html
Clubfoot(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00255
Also available in Spanish http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00483
Common Childhood Orthopedic Conditions(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/bones/common_ortho.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/general/common_ortho_esp.html
Flexible Flatfoot in Children(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00046
Intoeing(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00055&return_link=0
Kohler's Disease: Does It Cause Permanent Bone Damage?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/kohlers-disease/AN00468/METHOD=print
Pediatric Flatfoot(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons) - http://www.footphysicians.com/footankleinfo/pediatric-flatfoot.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.footphysicians.com/espanol/pie-plano-pediátrico.htm
Polydactyly (Supernumerary Digit)(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/infant/supernumeraryDigit.htm
Problems with Legs and Feet(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/bone/orthopedic_conditions.html
Sweaty Sock Syndrome (Juvenile Plantar Dermatosis)(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/child/juvenilePlantarDermatosis.htm
What Is Clubfoot?(Johns Hopkins Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery) - http://www.hopkinsortho.org/clubfoot.html
Why Does My Foot Fall Asleep?(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/qa/foot_asleep.html

Seniors

Foot Care(National Institute on Aging) - http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/footcare.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nia.nih.gov/Espanol/Publicaciones/pies.htm
Foot Problems(AGS Foundation for Health in Aging) - http://www.healthinaging.org/agingintheknow/chapters_ch_trial.asp?ch=42

You may also be interested in these MedlinePlus related pages:

Ankle Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ankleinjuriesanddisorders.html
Diabetic Foot - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/diabeticfoot.html
Foot Health - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/foothealth.html
Heel Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/heelinjuriesanddisorders.html
Leg Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/leginjuriesanddisorders.html
Toe Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/toeinjuriesanddisorders.html
Bones, Joints and Muscles - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bonesjointsandmuscles.html
Injuries and Wounds - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/injuriesandwounds.html

The primary NIH organization for research on Foot Injuries and Disorders is the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases - http://www.niams.nih.gov/