Foot & Ankle Pain Care in Northern Virginia

Foot and ankle pain can make every step uncomfortable. Problems involving the bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, nerves, or other tissues of the foot and ankle can affect walking, exercise, work, sports, and everyday activities.

At Arthritis & Sports Orthopaedics, our foot and ankle team evaluates and treats conditions ranging from heel pain and ankle sprains to arthritis, fractures, deformities, diabetic foot problems, and complex traumatic injuries. Treatment may include footwear changes, custom orthotics, physical therapy, medication, injections, minimally invasive procedures, or surgery depending on your diagnosis and individual needs.

What Can Cause Foot & Ankle Pain?

The foot and ankle work together to support your weight, absorb impact, provide balance, and move your body forward with each step.

Pain may begin after an injury or develop gradually because of repetitive activity, arthritis, tendon problems, changes in foot alignment, footwear, or other medical conditions.

Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of pain beneath the heel.

The plantar fascia is a strong band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot. When it becomes irritated, patients often notice sharp or aching heel pain that is particularly noticeable with the first steps after getting out of bed or standing after a period of rest.

Treatment may include activity and footwear changes, stretching and rehabilitation, supportive shoes, orthotics, and other options based on the severity and duration of symptoms.

Ankle Sprains & Chronic Instability

An ankle sprain occurs when one or more ligaments that help stabilize the ankle are stretched or torn.

Symptoms may include pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, and difficulty putting weight on the affected foot.

Most ankle sprains can be treated without surgery. However, repeated sprains or an ankle that continues to give way may indicate chronic instability or a more significant ligament injury that deserves further evaluation.

Achilles & Other Tendon Injuries

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone and plays an important role in walking, running, and pushing off the ground.

Achilles problems may develop gradually from repetitive stress or occur suddenly when the tendon tears.

Pain, swelling, stiffness, weakness when pushing off, or a sudden sensation that something struck the back of the ankle can indicate an Achilles injury.

Other tendons around the foot and ankle—including the peroneal and posterior tibial tendons—can also become irritated or injured and affect strength, balance, and foot alignment.

Bunions, Hammertoes & Toe Deformities

Bunions don’t always require surgery. Treatment depends on pain, changes in foot alignment, difficulty wearing comfortable shoes, and how much the condition affects walking or daily activities. When conservative treatment is no longer providing enough relief, surgery may be considered. Learn more about bunion surgery and recovery, including when surgery may be appropriate and what to expect while your foot heals.

Hammertoes and other toe deformities can also cause discomfort, pressure points, corns, or difficulty wearing shoes.

Many patients begin with footwear changes, padding, orthotics, and other nonsurgical strategies. Surgery may be considered when persistent symptoms significantly interfere with normal activities despite appropriate conservative care.

Flatfoot & Foot Alignment Problems

Changes in the shape or alignment of the foot can alter how pressure is distributed when you stand and walk.

Flatfoot may be present from childhood or develop later because of tendon dysfunction, arthritis, injury, or other factors.

Some people have little or no pain, while others experience fatigue, swelling, arch pain, ankle pain, instability, or difficulty with activity.

Treatment depends on the cause, severity, and whether the condition is flexible or has become more rigid.

Foot & Ankle Arthritis

Arthritis can affect the ankle, midfoot, hindfoot, or joints of the toes.

Symptoms may include pain, stiffness, swelling, reduced motion, and difficulty walking or standing for longer periods.

Many patients begin with nonsurgical treatment such as activity modification, supportive footwear, braces or orthotics, physical therapy, medication, and selected injections.

When advanced arthritis causes persistent pain and loss of function despite appropriate nonsurgical care, surgical options such as fusion or total ankle replacement may be considered depending on the joint involved.

Fractures & Traumatic Injuries

Falls, sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and other trauma can cause fractures and complex injuries involving the bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments of the foot and ankle.

Some injuries can be treated with a boot, cast, or other immobilization. Others require surgery to restore alignment, stability, and function.

Significant swelling, deformity, severe pain, inability to bear weight, or persistent symptoms after an injury should be evaluated.

Neuromas & Nerve-Related Foot Pain

Nerve irritation in the foot can cause burning, tingling, numbness, or sharp pain.

A common example is Morton's neuroma, which typically causes pain or burning in the ball of the foot and may feel as though something is inside the shoe.

Treatment depends on the specific nerve involved and the underlying cause of the irritation.

Where Is Foot & Ankle Pain Usually Felt?

The location of pain can provide useful clues about which structures may be involved, although an examination is often needed to determine the actual cause.

Heel Pain

Pain beneath the heel is commonly associated with plantar fascia problems, while discomfort at the back of the heel may involve the Achilles tendon, its attachment to the heel bone, or nearby structures.

The timing of symptoms, activities that aggravate them, and the exact location of tenderness can help narrow the diagnosis.

Pain in the Ball or Front of the Foot

Pain beneath the forefoot or near the toes can occur with conditions such as neuromas, sesamoid problems, joint irritation, deformities, or repetitive stress.

Pain around the big-toe joint may also result from a bunion or arthritis such as hallux rigidus.

Arch & Midfoot Pain

Pain through the arch or middle of the foot can occur with tendon problems, arthritis, stress injuries, flatfoot, or other structural conditions.

Symptoms that persist or make normal walking difficult should be evaluated rather than assumed to be simple overuse.

Ankle Pain & Swelling

Ankle pain may result from a ligament sprain, arthritis, tendon injury, cartilage damage, fracture, or other condition.

Repeated swelling, instability, or a sensation that the ankle gives way can indicate that an injury has not fully healed or that the joint remains unstable.

Pain Behind the Ankle or Heel

Pain at the back of the ankle may involve the Achilles tendon.

Gradual symptoms often occur with tendon irritation or degeneration, while a sudden injury accompanied by weakness or difficulty pushing off may indicate a more significant tear.

When Should You See a Foot & Ankle Specialist?

Consider scheduling an evaluation when foot or ankle pain continues, repeatedly returns, interferes with walking or exercise, or does not improve with basic home care.

An evaluation may be especially helpful if you have ongoing swelling, repeated ankle sprains, progressive deformity, difficulty finding comfortable shoes, numbness or burning, reduced strength, or pain that is changing the way you walk.

Seek prompt medical attention after an injury if you cannot bear weight, notice significant deformity, develop severe swelling, or are concerned that you may have sustained a fracture or tendon rupture.

Patients with diabetes should contact a healthcare professional promptly for new wounds, drainage, increasing redness or swelling, skin breakdown, or other concerning changes involving the foot.

How Are Foot & Ankle Problems Diagnosed?

Accurate diagnosis is important because foot and ankle pain can come from bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, fascia, nerves, or a combination of structures.

Your provider will ask where you feel the pain, when it began, whether an injury occurred, which activities make it worse, what footwear you typically use, and how the symptoms affect walking and daily activities.

Physical & Gait Examination

During the examination, your provider may evaluate areas of tenderness, swelling, joint motion, strength, stability, foot alignment, sensation, and the way you stand and walk.

Your gait and foot mechanics may provide useful information when symptoms appear related to alignment, instability, tendon function, or abnormal pressure distribution.

X-Rays

X-rays are commonly used to evaluate foot and ankle pain and can help identify fractures, arthritis, deformity, alignment problems, bone spurs, and other changes involving the bones and joints.

Weight-bearing X-rays may be particularly helpful for certain conditions because they show how the foot and ankle align while supporting your body weight.

Ultrasound, MRI & CT When Needed

Advanced imaging is not necessary for every patient.

Ultrasound or MRI may be recommended when a tendon, ligament, plantar fascia, cartilage, or other soft-tissue problem is suspected.

CT may be useful for selected fractures, complex deformities, arthritis, or surgical planning when more detailed information about the bones is needed.

The appropriate study depends on your symptoms, examination, and suspected diagnosis.

What Are the Nonsurgical Treatments?

Many foot and ankle conditions can initially be managed without surgery.

Treatment depends on the diagnosis, severity of your symptoms, your activity level, foot structure, overall health, and treatment goals.

Activity & Footwear Modification

Temporarily changing activities that repeatedly aggravate an injured tendon, ligament, joint, or other structure can allow symptoms to improve.

Footwear can also affect how pressure is distributed across the foot. Your foot and ankle specialist may recommend changes in shoe type, fit, support, or activity-specific footwear depending on the condition.

Bracing & Custom Orthotics

Braces may provide additional support for selected ankle, tendon, arthritis, or instability problems.

Custom orthotics are medical shoe inserts designed around an individual's foot structure, symptoms, footwear, and activity needs.

They may be used to improve support, redistribute pressure, address certain biomechanical problems, or provide additional comfort for selected foot and ankle conditions.

Learn more about custom orthotics.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can help restore mobility, strength, balance, and function after many foot and ankle injuries.

Treatment may include flexibility and strengthening exercises, balance and neuromuscular training, hands-on techniques, gait training, and a gradual return to normal activity.

Physical therapy can also play an important role before and after foot or ankle surgery.

Learn more about physical therapy at Arthritis & Sports.

Injections

Injections may be considered for selected foot or ankle conditions when appropriate.

The type of injection and expected benefit depend on the diagnosis. An injection that may be useful for one condition is not necessarily appropriate for another.

Your foot and ankle specialist can explain whether an injection makes sense based on the structure involved, your symptoms, and your treatment goals.

Tenex for Selected Chronic Tendon & Plantar Fascia Problems

Some patients continue to experience chronic Achilles tendon or plantar fascia pain despite an appropriate course of conservative treatment.

Tenex is a minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided procedure that can be used in selected cases to remove abnormal or damaged tissue through a small incision.

Whether the procedure is appropriate depends on the diagnosis and prior treatment.

Learn more about the Tenex procedure.

Bunion Care

Bunions don’t always require surgery. Treatment depends on your symptoms, the severity of the deformity, how easily you can wear comfortable shoes, and whether the bunion affects walking or everyday activities. When conservative treatment no longer provides enough relief, surgery may be considered.

When Is Foot or Ankle Surgery Considered?

Surgery may be considered when an injury requires repair or stabilization, when a structural problem causes persistent symptoms, or when pain and loss of function continue despite appropriate nonsurgical treatment.

The type of surgery depends on the condition.

Bunion & Hammertoe Surgery

Surgery may be considered when a bunion, hammertoe, or other deformity continues to cause significant pain or functional problems despite appropriate nonsurgical care.

The procedure selected depends on the type and severity of the deformity, joint condition, foot alignment, and the patient's individual needs.

Learn more about bunion surgery and recovery, including when surgery may be appropriate and what to expect while your foot heals.

Tendon & Ligament Repair or Reconstruction

Significant tendon or ligament injuries may require surgical repair or reconstruction when normal strength, stability, or function cannot be restored adequately without surgery.

Examples can include selected Achilles tendon injuries, chronic ankle instability, peroneal tendon problems, and other complex soft-tissue injuries.

Fracture, Trauma & Reconstructive Surgery

Complex fractures and traumatic injuries may require surgery to restore alignment and stabilize damaged bones and joints.

Reconstructive surgery may also be used for severe deformity, prior injuries, complications from previous surgery, or complex structural problems.

Foot & Ankle Fusion

Fusion surgery joins the bones of a painful or damaged joint so they heal together and no longer move against one another.

Fusion may be considered for severe arthritis, deformity, instability, or other conditions affecting selected joints of the foot or ankle.

The specific procedure depends on which joint is involved and the patient's functional needs.

Total Ankle Replacement

Total ankle replacement may be an option for selected patients with advanced ankle arthritis who continue to experience significant pain and loss of function despite appropriate nonsurgical treatment.

During the procedure, damaged joint surfaces are replaced with artificial components while preserving motion at the ankle.

Total ankle replacement and ankle fusion are different surgical approaches to advanced ankle arthritis. The best option depends on factors such as age, activity level, deformity, bone quality, surrounding joints, overall health, and treatment goals.

Dr. Sriya Babu has advanced training and expertise in total ankle replacement as part of her reconstructive foot and ankle practice.

Meet Our Foot & Ankle Specialist

Sriya S. Babu, DPM, FACFAS

Sriya S. Babu, DPM, FACFAS, is a board-certified podiatric surgeon with advanced fellowship training in foot and ankle reconstruction and trauma.

Her expertise includes sports injuries, fractures and advanced trauma, arthritis, tendon and ligament repair, minimally invasive surgery, reconstructive and revision surgery, rearfoot and ankle fusion, total ankle replacement, and Charcot neuroarthropathy.

Dr. Babu provides both nonsurgical and surgical foot and ankle care and sees patients at our Sterling and South Riding offices.

Meet Dr. Sriya Babu.

Foot & Ankle Care in Sterling & South Riding, Virginia

Arthritis & Sports provides comprehensive foot and ankle care at our Sterling and South Riding, Virginia offices.

Our practice serves patients throughout Loudoun County and Northern Virginia, including Ashburn, Leesburg, Reston, Herndon, Chantilly, Aldie, and surrounding communities.

Patients have access to podiatric evaluation, diagnostic imaging, custom orthotics, nonsurgical treatment, physical therapy, and advanced foot and ankle surgery through one coordinated practice.

Visit our Sterling location.

Visit our South Riding location.

Frequently Asked Questions About Foot & Ankle Pain

When should I see a podiatrist for foot or ankle pain?

Consider seeing a foot and ankle specialist when pain persists, repeatedly returns, affects walking or exercise, follows an injury, or does not improve with basic home care. You do not need to know your diagnosis before scheduling an appointment. A specialist can determine whether symptoms are coming from a bone, joint, tendon, ligament, nerve, or another structure. Learn more about choosing a podiatrist or orthopedic surgeon for foot and ankle pain.

How do I know if an ankle sprain is serious?

An ankle sprain should be evaluated when you cannot comfortably bear weight, swelling or bruising is severe, the ankle appears unstable, pain is located directly over a bone, or symptoms do not begin improving as expected. Repeated sprains or an ankle that continues to give way may indicate chronic instability or another injury that needs further treatment.

Does plantar fasciitis always require treatment?

Mild heel pain may sometimes improve with temporary activity changes, supportive footwear, stretching, and other basic measures. Persistent pain—especially pain that repeatedly returns or changes the way you walk—should be evaluated to confirm that plantar fasciitis is actually the cause and to determine which treatment is appropriate.

Do bunions always require surgery?

No. Many patients manage bunion symptoms without surgery through footwear changes, padding, activity modification, or other measures. Surgery may be considered when pain or functional limitations continue despite appropriate nonsurgical treatment. The appearance of a bunion alone does not determine whether an operation is necessary.

Can custom orthotics help foot pain?

Custom orthotics may help selected patients by supporting the foot, redistributing pressure, or addressing certain alignment and biomechanical problems. They are not necessary for every type of foot pain. A foot and ankle evaluation can determine whether an orthotic is likely to be useful for your particular condition.

When is total ankle replacement considered?

Total ankle replacement may be considered for selected patients with advanced ankle arthritis that causes significant pain and loss of function despite appropriate nonsurgical treatment. Ankle replacement is not the right procedure for everyone. Your surgeon will consider the condition of the ankle, surrounding joints, bone quality, alignment, activity level, health, and individual treatment goals when discussing replacement versus other options such as ankle fusion.

Schedule an Appointment for Foot or Ankle Pain

You do not have to determine the cause of your foot or ankle pain on your own.

Our foot and ankle team can evaluate your symptoms, identify the structures involved, and recommend treatment based on your diagnosis, activity level, overall health, and goals.

Request an appointment with Arthritis & Sports Orthopaedics in Sterling or South Riding today.