| The most commonly reported injuries in the foot/ankle region are ankle sprains. A sprained ankle simply means that the ligaments (the strong bands of tissue that connect the bones of the foot) are stretched beyond their normal limits, resulting in inflammation, tearing, or rupture of the tissue.
 Sprained ankles run the gamut from minor to serious. If you're in pain for more than a day or two, or if the pain is intense, you should see a physical therapist or physician. If physical therapy is required, the sprained ankle will be immobilized for a short period to prevent further damage and to give the tissue a chance to heal. After that, therapy progresses quickly with exercises designed to restore stability and strength to the muscles. It is also crucial that the patient's sense of balance be restored or enhanced through exercise.
"Shin splints" is a catch-all phrase for a number of foot and ankle problems, including overuse of the muscles and tendons of the foot and ankle. Tendons are the strong fibrous cords that attach muscles to bones. The Achilles tendon, which takes its name from ancient mythology, is easily felt at the back of the ankle.
Plantar fasciitis is an irritation of the plantar fascia- the tough tissue on the very bottom of the foot that begins at the heel and is attached to the toes. It can result in pain and lead to a heel spur, a bony growth on the underside, forepart of the heel bone. This kind of pain is usually at its worst in the morning, then gradually diminishes during the day. Heel spurs are caused by straining the foot muscles, stretching the long band of tissue connecting the heel and the ball of the foot, and by repeated tearing of the lining of the membrane that covers the heel bone.
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"My feet are killing me!" is one of the most enduring phrases in the English language. Like most clichs, this one is grounded in day-to-day experience: the foot and ankle region is subject to constant stresses and hazards, from the effects of ill-fitting shoes to traumatic sports injuries. The results can be painful or worse. While our feet may not literally be "killing" us, foot and ankle problems can have a significant impact on our general health and well-being. In this article you will learn about:
