We spend a lot of time on this blog discussing the most common ailments that affect feet and ankles. You’ll find a plethora of content about ankle sprains, ankle fractures, tendon tears and other problems that Dr. Silverman treats with great regularity. However, every so often we meet with a patient who is dealing with a unique or rare issue that requires personalized attention and care. This blog is for those unique cases. In today’s blog, we spotlight some rare issues that affect feet and ankles.
Rare Foot Issues
Let’s take a look at some foot and ankle conditions that aren’t all that common but still affect Americans every single day:
Weill Marchesani Syndrome – Weill Marchesani Syndrome is a genetic condition that tends to affect other areas of the body more prominently, like the eyes and larger joints in the body, but it can also impact your feet. These individuals tend to have shorter feet and stiffer joints that leads to limited foot flexibility. Because of this design and limited flexibility, extra stress can be placed on the forefoot, the arch or the heel, leading to advanced tissue breakdown, discomfort or balance and gait dysfunction. A foot specialist can help by reviewing your feet and your normal stress patterns when moving to get you into a shoe or an orthotic insert that improves stress distribution and foot stability.
Freiberg’s Disease – We’ve talked about Freiberg’s disease on the blog in the past, but it develops when the second metatarsal head in the foot loses its structural integrity, leading to pain, stiffness, gait dysfunction or sensory issues in the foot. Medical experts believe it’s tied to a blood flow issue in the foot. Depending on when it is caught, treatment may involve footwear changes, casting or physical therapy, while more advanced cases may benefit from surgical debridement.
Kohler’s Disease – Kohler’s disease is a condition that affects developing children. It involves a temporary loss of blood supply to the tarsal navicular bone in the foot, leading to temporary foot pain, swelling and gait dysfunction. Oftentimes it can be effectively treated with a few weeks of casting, and children are no worse for the wear when effectively managed.
Mafucci Syndrome – Maffuci syndrome is a rare genetic condition that causes benign tumors to form in cartilage, oftentimes affecting a child’s feet or hands. It can lead to painful or uncomfortable walking, and typically requires regular screenings to ensure future growths are not cancerous. Oftentimes this condition is best handled by a dermatologist.
No matter your foot concern, Dr. Silverman is here to help in any way he can. For more information, reach out to Dr. Silverman today.