The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes. It helps support the overall shape of your foot, especially when standing. Irritation and scarring of the plantar fascia, known as plantar fasciitis, is one of the most common causes of heel pain.

The plantar fascia (PF) is a thick band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes. It helps support the overall shape of your foot, especially when standing, and helps with shock absorption. Irritation and scarring of the plantar fascia, known as plantar fasciitis, is one of the most common causes of heel pain.

Ten percent of people have pain in the bottom of the heel at some point in their life. The most common cause is plantar fasciitis, which can result from overactivity, improper shoes, flat feet or excessive weight on the feet.

The tibia (shin bone) and the fibula are the bones of the lower leg. Pilon fractures are injuries that occur at the lower end of the tibia and involve the weightbearing surface of the ankle joint. The fibula also may be broken. These injuries were first described more than 100 years ago and remain one of the most challenging problems for orthopaedic surgeons to treat. Common causes of pilon fractures are falls from a height and car accidents. 

The tibia (shin bone) and the fibula are the bones of the lower leg. Pilon fractures are injuries that occur at the lower end of the tibia and involve the weightbearing surface of the ankle joint. The fibula also may be broken. These injuries were first described more than 100 years ago and remain one of the most challenging problems for orthopaedic surgeons to treat. Common causes of pilon fractures are falls from a height and car accidents.

A peroneus longus (PL) to Achilles tendon transfer is done to restore strength across the ankle joint. Strength may have been lost due to an injury to the Achilles tendon or a neurological disorder. Also, patients with Achilles tendon pain that has not improved from non-surgical treatment may benefit from this transfer. Other tendons (such as the tendon to the big toe or lesser toes) may be chosen for the transfer instead of the PL, based on the underlying anatomy and function.

The peroneal tendons run on the outside of the ankle just behind the bone called the fibula. Peroneal tendinosis is enlargement and thickening with swelling of these tendons. This usually occurs with overuse, such as a repetitive activity that irritates the tendon over long periods of time. 

Percutaneous Achilles tendon lengthening in a procedure used to stretch a tight Achilles tendon and increase motion at the ankle joint.

Osteochondral lesions, sometimes called osteochondritis dessicans or osteochondral fractures, are injuries to the talus (the bottom bone of the ankle joint) that involve both the bone and the overlying cartilage. These injuries may include softening of the cartilage layers, cyst-like lesions within the bone below the cartilage, or fracture of the cartilage and bone layers. Throughout this article, these injuries will be referred to as osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT).

Orthotics, also called orthoses, are devices that are worn to relieve pain associated with foot and ankle deformities and help prevent or delay surgery. Most people think of shoe inserts or arch supports when they hear the word orthotics, but they can include devices such as foot pads, shoe inserts, ankle braces, and similar items. Treatment often can begin with less expensive off-the-shelf orthotics and progress to custom orthotics if the symptoms and diagnosis require it.

The naviculocuneiform (NC) joint is located in the middle of the foot. It consists of four bones: the tarsal navicular and the medial, middle, and lateral cuneiforms.