Foot & Ankle Care
At UCSF Health Saint Francis Hospital, we provide comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, and surgery for foot and ankle injuries or structural conditions. Our skilled team includes podiatric surgeons, specialists, and physical therapists who treat you and your injury individually.
Comprehensive Podiatry Services
The specialists at Saint Francis care for individuals with a wide variety of foot and ankle conditions. To schedule an appointment, please call the Center for Sports Medicine at (415) 683-2471.
Conditions We Treat
Ankle pain - may be caused by stress fractures, tendonitis, synovitis, ankle sprains, or foot dysfunction.
Ankle sprains/instability - an injury to one or more ankle ligaments resulting from a sudden twist or fall that forces the ankle joint out of its normal position.
Bunions - an enlargement of the big-toe joint, a condition that typically becomes more prominent, arthritic, and painful with age and usually are worsened by abnormal foot formation (e.g., flat feet).
Flat feet and high arches - these conditions contribute to chronic foot and ankle problems and are often treated using an orthotic (custom-made shoe insert).
Hammertoes - toe contractures which often cause painful calluses or corns that tend to worsen over time.
Metatarsalgia - a pain in the ball of the foot, commonly caused by a neuroma. This is a non-cancerous growth causing inflammation of a nerve between the toes or the ball of the foot. Torn ligaments and abnormal friction on the ball of the foot may also be a cause of forefoot pain.
Pediatric or adolescent foot pain - ongoing foot pain is not always related to "growing pain," but is often related to mechanical, mal-alignment or strength deficits. Growth plate problems are usually outgrown.
Plantar fasciitis and heel pain - most commonly caused by inflammation of the ligament of the arch that attaches to the heel bone.
Tendon Injuries
- Achilles tendon rupture is complete or partial tendon tear often seen in athletics.
- Peroneal tendon injuries such as tendonitis or tears are usually caused by repetitive use, overuse, or trauma.
Procedures Performed
The foot and ankle surgeons at Saint Francis are board-certified foot and ankle experts.
Common Surgeries
Ankle arthroscopy - is a minimally invasive procedure of the ankle joint. Arthroscopy is a very useful surgery used to "clean up" a joint, to explore a joint for diagnostic purposes, and also can be performed to delay a more extensive ankle surgery.
Flat foot reconstruction - considered only after orthotics have failed to relieve pain and restore function. The goal is to improve foot alignment allowing for more normal pressures during standing and walking.
Hammertoe surgery - an option for straightening a contracted toe.
Lateral ankle stabilization surgery - repair or reconstruction of the damaged ligament(s) to stabilize the ankle.
Orthotics - custom-made foot supports (shoe inserts) often can alleviate pain caused by flat feet, neuroma, plantar fasciitis, or other orthopedic conditions.
Injections - various injected medication can be used for plantar fasciitis, neuromas, treating an inflamed joint, or injuries.
Bunion Surgery
- Austin bunionectomy involves cutting the first metatarsal bone at the "head" and fixing the cut with a screw.
- Lapidus fusion is typically reserved for the more severe bunions and involves fusing the first metatarsal bone to the medial cuneiform bone.
- Fusion (arthrodesis) of the big-toe joint is used to treat severe osteoarthritis. An artificial joint may be an alternative.
Ankle Tendon Repair and Reconstruction
- Achilles tendon repair involves the reconstruction of damaged ligament(s) and sewing of torn tendon.
- Peroneal tendon repair/reconstruction reinforces the tendon sheath and deepens the bone grooves at the tip of the fibula to stabilization tendons.