Chronic ankle instability occurs when your ankle repeatedly “gives way.” This can occur after you initially sprain your ankle and it doesn’t heal correctly. Weak ligaments, decreased balance control, and altered biomechanics can make even simple movements feel unpredictable or painful. However, the majority of ankle instability patients regain stability with proper rehabilitation, strengthening exercises, and bracing. Treating chronic ankle instability involves restoring bala

Heel spurs take time to form but the pain can seem like it happens overnight literally. Many people first notice pain with their first steps out of bed in the morning. Calcium builds up along the bottom of your heel bone in response to stress and tension where your plantar fascia inserts. The spur isn’t always painful but swelling around the heel is often quite tender. Fortunately heel spurs respond well to treatment and most people will see improvements with conservative the

Custom orthotics aren’t your average over-the-counter inserts. By design, they precisely control how your foot strikes the ground with every step you take. When they’re prescribed correctly, custom orthotics work to correct your alignment while reducing pain and discomfort. They’re not simply for cushioning your feet. Here’s how custom orthotics can benefit you. Why Custom Orthotics? Base of the Body The feet are the foundation your entire body is built upon. From the grou

Peripheral neuropathy is a broad term describing a wide variety of disorders affecting nerves throughout the body. There are many potential causes and subtypes, which can have varying patterns of symptoms and rates of progression. Because of this, there is no single treatment that will work for every patient. Treatment aims to minimize your symptoms (pain, numbness, tingling) and treat the underlying cause of nerve damage if possible. These often require a combination of ther

You need foot and ankle surgery when pain, instability, or deformity affects your ability to move around and conservative treatment options stop working. Learn everything about surgery from understanding how your foot and ankle system works to preparing for surgery and recovery with this step-by-step guide. How Do Foot and Ankle Systems Work? The foot and ankle complex work together to form one of the body’s most sophisticated load-bearing systems. With each step you take, 26

Toe nail fungus (onychomycosis) isn’t going anywhere without treatment. Protected under the nail plate where it’s moist, has access to protein (keratin), and limited exposure to the immune system. Many times toenail fungus is primarily cosmetic, however, if left untreated it can spread to other toes and the skin or cause the nail to thicken and become painful. Choosing the right treatment and using it long enough to eradicate the fungus and allow healthy nail to grow back is

It doesn’t happen overnight. Bunions develop over time from changes in the alignment and mechanics of your foot. As weight-bearing forces shift in your foot, pressure points change, leading to the deformity we know as bunions. While the swelling on the inside of your big toe joint may be the most visible sign, soft tissue imbalances and joint deformity are the true cause. Whether you’re looking for conservative treatment options or surgical care to correct a bunion, we can he

Foot injuries happen. You’re training hard one day and tweaking something the next. It can happen to any athlete whether you’re a weekend warrior or training for the Olympics. The biggest difference between overcoming your injury quickly or being sidelined for weeks or months lies in early detection and proper management. The good news is that most sports injuries to the foot are very treatable with early intervention and the right rehabilitation program. What is your Injury?

Ankle Sprains There’s a reason why ankle sprains are by far the most common injury that I see. They can happen to the best of us and occur due to an inversion injury when your foot rolls inward and overstresses the lateral ankle ligaments. These injuries can range from mild to severe and involve partial or complete tears of these ligaments. Fractures Fractures of the ankle, heel, and foot are less common than ankle sprains but usually result in more time sidelined. Ankle frac

Arch pain can affect anyone regardless of age, activity level, or lifestyle. You could be an athlete that regularly stays active or someone who has a desk job but likes to go on walks. Everyone who has arch pain wishes it would just go away and not come back. Unfortunately, many of the causes of arch pain can lead to recurring situations where the pain keeps coming back. At Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute we understand how painful arch pain can be and how it affects your day-t

After multiple trips to physical therapy, orthotics and stretching haven’t relieved your foot or ankle pain. Shockwave therapy might be the next best solution before you consider surgery. Here’s what to know about the cutting-edge, noninvasive treatment. Do Shockwaves Actually Help With Foot and Ankle Pain? The technology applies focused pressure waves to injured or painful areas of the body. This pulse increases circulation to the site, initiates healing processes, and assis

Custom orthotics and store bought inserts serve similar purposes but function in different ways. Orthotics are typically indicated when you need more arch support than you can get elsewhere. Every cushioning insert will provide some relief – but that doesn’t mean it’s the right option for you. Here’s how to know if you need custom orthotics or if store bought inserts are a good solution. Types of Over-the-counter Inserts When you need something to ease your feet after a long

Ingrown toenails are very common. Learn how to spot the signs that indicate professional treatment may be necessary to speed your recovery. Learn When to Seek Treatment for an Ingrown Toenail Toe pain caused by an ingrown toenail can often be treated at home. But more advanced ingrown toenails that are getting infected or growing into the skin beneath may require the attention of a podiatrist. Wasatch Foot & Ankle Institute is here to help patients understand why, when, and h

Sprained ankles happen all the time, but sometimes the tissues stretched during the injury can actually be torn. Ligaments can be partially or completely torn during even seemingly minor injuries. Broken bones may occur along with nerve damage when twisting or injuring your ankle. You want to ensure you aren’t dealing with a more severe injury to allow proper healing and avoid chronic ankle instability, ongoing pain, or a sprain that never seems to fully heal. Degrees of Spra

Achilles tendon injuries are one of the most common conditions that runners, athletes, and physically active adults experience. Patterns of pain can help determine if your discomfort is due to overuse, tendon degeneration, or sudden injury. Knowing how your symptoms developed, along with when and where you experience pain, can help identify the issue early and seek proper treatment when needed. Achilles Tendon Anatomy The Achilles tendon anchors your calf muscles to your heel

damaged,When experiencing burning pain in the foot, tingling toes, or pain that shoots down your leg, there may be an irritated or compressed nerve in your foot. Nerve pain does not feel like normal muscle aches or joint pain. People may describe nerve pain as “pins and needles," electrical, shooting, stabbing, or constant. Early recognition of the cause of nerve irritation or compression is key because once nerves are damaged they do not always heal with time. Clinicians can

Are you experiencing burning pain or numbness in your feet and legs? These symptoms may be caused by peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral nerves send messages between the body and the brain. When these nerves become injured or inflamed, communication is affected, which may cause uncomfortable symptoms. Thankfully, neuropathy symptoms can be managed with the right combination of treatments. If you’re ready to learn how you can ease neuropathy pain, keep reading below. How Does Pe

Kids' feet change rapidly, especially during their first 10 years of life. Development is typically normal but there are several red flags that indicate problems benefiting from early evaluation. While growing pains are common, take note of how your child walks, runs, and complains of pain or discomfort. Foot Development in Children Infants and toddlers often appear to have flat feet. During early development, fat pads and soft tissues cover the arch. As muscles strengthen an

Foot pain shouldn’t slow you down. Whether you want to get outside for a hike or simply run errands around town, having foot pain shouldn’t keep you from enjoying these activities. Many patients will undergo conservative care such as orthotics, injections, medications, or physical therapy, but what happens if these treatments fail you? If conservative care stops working, surgery may be your next option. Fortunately, with advances in technology, there are many procedures that

Athlete's foot doesn’t always mean you have a fungus! Hammertoe is often mild and flexible at first, without causing issues besides perhaps some friction when rubbing against your shoes. However, as time goes on, the deformity can become stiff and painful. Padding the affected area may become difficult, and shoes might not comfortably fit. If you find yourself continuously replacing worn-down padding and having corns that just keep returning despite your best efforts at home