Stress Fractures of the Foot and AnkleA stress fracture is a small crack in a bone, or severe bruising within a bone. Most stress fractures are caused by overuse and repetitive activity; they are common in runners and athletes who participate in ru

BunionsA bunion is a painful bony bump that develops on the inside of the foot at the big toe joint. Bunions are often referred to as hallux valgus.Bunions develop slowly. Pressure on the big toe joint causes the big toe to lean toward the second

Tarsal CoalitionA tarsal coalition is an abnormal connection of two or more bones in the foot. The bones affected — called tarsal bones — are located toward the back of the foot and in the heel, and the connection of the bones can result in a sever

Stiff Big Toe (Hallux Rigidus)The most common site of arthritis in the foot is at the base of the big toe. This joint is called the metatarsophalangeal, or MTP joint. It's important because it has to bend every time you take a step. If the joint st

Sprains, Strains and Other Soft-Tissue InjuriesThe most common soft tissues injured are muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These injuries often occur during sports and exercise activities, but sometimes simple everyday activities can cause an injury.

Diabetic (Charcot) FootDiabetes is a condition of elevated blood sugar that affects about 6 percent of the population in the United States, or about 16 million people. Diabetic foot problems are a major health concern and are a common cause of hosp

OverviewOsteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle — so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses such as bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine.Bone i

Bone, Joint, and Muscle Infections in ChildrenChildren can develop infections in their bones, joints, or muscles. Often referred to as "deep" infections, the technical names for these conditions are:Osteomyelitis (bone infection)Septic arthritis