Foot and Ankle Pain Specialist

Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Pain Doctor in Spartanburg, Duncan, and Greenville, SC

At Carolina Orthopaedic & Neurosurgical Associates, we have treated both pediatric and adult disorders of the lower extremities for over 35 years. Our Foot & Ankle Center offers some of the most advanced treatments and surgical techniques to relieve and even eliminate most foot and ankle pain and lower extremity problems.

There are a variety of spinal conditions and disorders that our specialists treat. If you do not see a condition below, please contact our office and we will answer any questions you may have.

Common Foot & Ankle Conditions

Foot Pain
Foot pain can be a difficult problem to deal with. Because there are many foot bones, tendons, ligaments, and nerves, there are many different foot injuries and conditions. An appointment with a Board-certified and Fellowship-Trained Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) is the best way to find the cause of foot pain and properly treat it.

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Heel Pain
Heel pain is mild to severe pain on the bottom of the foot. Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) foot and ankle specialists prescribe customized treatment plans to dramatically reduce pain and treat the injury or condition causing it. An appointment should be made as soon as pain presents.

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Ankle Fractures
Ankle fractures are a common type of fracture where one or more of the ankle bones break. Ankles fractures do not heal on their own and their symptoms become worse if they are not treated. An appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) foot and ankle specialist should be made as soon as possible after an ankle injury.

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Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains occur when one or more of the strong ligaments that connect the ankle bones are partially torn. It is always best to make an appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedics and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) foot and ankle specialist after an ankle sprain. A customized treatment plan reduces symptoms and treats the sprain as quickly as possible.

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Bunions
Bone spurs are osteoarthritis caused bone growths. Bone spurs that protrude into the ankle joint cause pain and make it hard to move the joint. Early bone spur treatment is always best—an appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) foot and ankle specialist should be made as soon as symptoms present.

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Foot & Ankle Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of joint bone and cartilage. Foot and ankle arthritis causes symptoms that can make it difficult to walk or even stand. Patients are encouraged to make an appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) foot and ankle specialist as soon as symptoms present.

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Hammer Toe
Hammer toe occurs when a toe curls down instead of pointing straight. Hammer toe symptoms make walking difficult and make it impossible to wear certain shoe types. An appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) foot and ankle specialist should be made as soon as symptoms present.
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Flat Foot

Flatfeet, also called flatfoot, is a common condition in which the arches on the inside of the feet flatten out when they are put under pressure. When people with flatfeet stand up, their feet point outward and their whole soles touch the floor.

Flatfeet can happen if the arches don’t form when a child is young. It can also happen later in life because of an accident or just normal wear and tear.

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Bone Spurs
Bone spurs are osteoarthritis caused bone growths. Bone spurs that protrude into the ankle joint cause pain and make it hard to move the joint. Early bone spur treatment is always best—an appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) foot and ankle specialist should be made as soon as symptoms present.

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Muscle & Tendon Strains
Muscle and tendon strains occur when muscles and tendons are partially torn. Strains make it hard to bear weight and move the foot and ankle. Early treatment relieves stain symptoms and treats the injury before it gets worse. An appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) foot and ankle specialist should be made as soon as symptoms present.

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Toe Fractures
A toe fracture is a broken toe bone. Toe fracture pain is often severe and gets worse if the fracture is not treated properly. An appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) foot and ankle specialist should be made as soon as possible.
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Peroneal Tendinopathy
The peroneal tendons help stabilize and move the ankle and foot. Peroneal tendinopathy is peroneal tendon inflammation. Symptoms can be uncomfortable and make it hard to perform many foot and ankle movements. A Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) foot and ankle specialist should diagnose and treat the condition as soon as possible.

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Achilles Tendon Rupture (Tear)

A ruptured Achilles tendon is an injury that happens in the back of your lower leg. It usually happens to people who play sports, but anyone can suffer from this injury.

The Achilles tendon is a strong, fibrous cord that connects the muscles in the back of your leg to the heel bone. If you overstretch your Achilles tendon, it can tear (rupture) all the way or partially.

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Foot & Ankle surgery is suggested only when all other options have been exhausted. Our Foot & Ankle Center Experts are dedicated to treating patients with the most effective course of treatment available.

Foot & Ankle Injury Prevention

Foot and ankle injuries seem to be most common in sports, especially those with running, like soccer, and quick direction and speed changes, such as tennis. There are many precautions people can take to reduce the risk of getting a foot or an ankle injury. Below are a few of the many ways to help avoid injury:

  • Warm Up – A slow jog for about three minutes can help get the blood flowing and warm up the muscles; light stretching can help with a warm-up as well
  • Condition Your Muscles for the Sport or Activity – The amount of time playing the sport or participating in the activity should be gradually increased for weeks to help build up muscle strength and mobility that is needed for the particular activity or sport
  • Choose The Correct Shoes – It is important to get shoes that are specifically designed for your feet. For example, if you have low arches, make sure to get shoes that offer more support at the arches of the foot. Shoes should be replaced when the tread begins to wear
  • Avoid Running on Uneven Surfaces – Be careful on uneven, rocky terrain when running. Holes, tree stumps, and roots are all big issues for those who participate in trail running
  • Prevent Recurrent Injuries – Someone who has suffered from ankle injuries in the past, such as an ankle sprain, should wear a brace or tape to help prevent another sprain from happening

Listen to Your Body – One of the most important things you can do is listen to your body. If you begin to experience pain in the ankle or foot during any activity, you should limit, stop, or modify that activity until the pain subsides.

Common Foot & Ankle Treatments

Achilles Tendon Repair
An Achilles tendon repair treats a partially or completely torn Achilles tendon. Patients who injure their ankle and experience Achilles tendon tear symptoms should make an appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedics and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) foot and ankle specialist as soon as possible. Delaying treatment makes the injury and symptoms worse.

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Fracture Reduction
A foot or ankle fracture is a serious injury that requires medical attention. An appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) foot and ankle specialist should be made as soon as possible. A fracture reduction may need to be performed to align the broken bone.
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Bunionectomy
A bunion is a painful lump on the side of the big toe. A small percentage of bunions do not respond to nonsurgical treatment options and surgery is recommended. A Carolina Orthopaedics and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) foot and ankle specialist performs a bunionectomy to remove the bunion and reduce symptoms.

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Ankle Arthroscopy
Ankle arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that treats a variety of ankle injuries and conditions. A fiber optic camera or arthroscope is used to visualize the ankle joint and tiny surgical instruments are used to make repairs. Carolina Orthopaedics and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) foot and ankle specialists are ankle arthroscopy experts.

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The feet and ankles are some of the most complex and impacted areas of the body. This means frequent injuries that are often misdiagnosed. It is vital to get the proper care, treatment, and rehabilitation to regain movement and strength. 

Symptoms for Foot & Ankle Injuries

There are very many different types of foot and ankle injuries that anyone at any age can come across. For the more complex, musculoskeletal issues, patients should seek care from qualified orthopedic specialists, like us here at Carolina Orthopedic & Neurosurgical Associates. Below is a list of some of the many foot and ankle injury symptoms:

  • Pain
  • Stiffness
  • Swelling
  • Deformities
  • Popping noise or sensation
  • Heel pain
  • Unable to bear weight
  • Bruising

Treatment for Foot & Ankle Injuries

There are many different treatment options for foot and ankle injuries. One of the most common ways to help reduce swelling and pain is to use RICE therapy; rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Many minor injuries heal on their own in just a few days using RICE therapy, however, some may need some more in-depth treatment.

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