Patient Education Library
Free Patient Handouts
31 printable, physician-reviewed guides on foot and ankle conditions, procedures, and recovery — sourced from ACFAS, APMA, and NIH patient education standards. Every handout is available in English, Español, and Kreyòl Ayisyen.
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Common Foot & Ankle Conditions
Achilles Tendon Pain
The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone and powers every step you take.
Ankle Sprains & Instability
An ankle sprain is a stretching or tearing of the ligaments that support the ankle, usually from a twist or roll of the foot.
Ball of Foot Pain
Pain in the ball of the foot — called metatarsalgia — is pressure-related pain under the metatarsal heads, the bones just behind the toes.
Flat Feet
Flat feet (flatfoot) means the arch of the foot is lowered or absent, so more of the sole contacts the ground.
Foot & Ankle Arthritis
Arthritis is inflammation and wearing of the cartilage inside a joint.
Heel Pain / Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain.
Neuropathy Foot Pain
Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the nerves of the feet and legs, most commonly from diabetes, though many other causes exist.
Skin & Nail Conditions
Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a common fungal infection of the skin of the feet.
Calluses & Corns
Calluses and corns are areas of thickened skin that build up in response to repeated pressure or friction — often from foot structure, toe deformities like hammertoes or bunions, or footwear.
Fungal Toenails
Fungal toenails (onychomycosis) are a fungal infection of the nail and nail bed, causing nails to become thick, discolored, brittle, or crumbly.
Diabetic Foot & Wound Care
Diabetic Foot Care
Diabetes can affect the feet in two major ways: nerve damage (neuropathy) that reduces the ability to feel injury, and reduced circulation that slows healing.
Wound Care
Foot wounds — especially diabetic foot ulcers — are among the most serious problems a podiatrist treats.
Minimally Invasive Foot & Ankle Procedures
Bone Spur Removal
Bone spurs are bony prominences that can develop on the foot and may cause pain, pressure, or irritation against shoes and soft tissue.
Hammertoe Correction
A hammertoe is a contracture of one or more of the smaller toes that can cause pain, corns, and shoe irritation.
Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery
A bunion is a progressive deformity at the base of the big toe that can cause pain, pressure, and difficulty with shoes.
Plantar Fasciitis Procedures
Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain.
Tailor's Bunion Correction
A tailor's bunion, also called a bunionette, is a painful bony prominence at the base of the little toe, where the fifth metatarsal meets the toe.
In-Office Minor Procedures
Abscess or Paronychia Drainage
An abscess or paronychia is a localized infection around the nail or skin that can cause pain, redness, swelling, and drainage.
Foreign Body Removal
Splinters, glass, debris, and other foreign objects can become lodged in the foot, causing pain, infection risk, or difficulty walking.
Ingrown Toenail Procedures
An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of a nail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, and sometimes infection.
Wart & Skin Lesion Procedures
Warts and other skin lesions of the foot and ankle can cause pain, pressure, or persistent irritation.
Soft Tissue & Biopsy Procedures
Biopsy Procedures
A biopsy is the removal of a small sample of skin, nail, or soft tissue so it can be examined by pathology.
Ganglion Cyst Removal
Ganglion cysts are fluid-filled, cyst-like masses that can cause pain, pressure, or shoe irritation.
Nail Unit Biopsy
A nail unit biopsy involves sampling tissue from the nail or surrounding area when concerning nail changes need further evaluation.
Soft Tissue Mass Removal
Bumps, cysts, masses, ganglions, painful growths, and lesions of the foot and ankle can have many causes.
Peripheral Nerve & Pain Procedures
Neuroma Procedures
A neuroma is a painful irritation or thickening of a nerve, often felt in the ball of the foot.
Peripheral Nerve Implants
Peripheral nerve implants are select nerve-related procedures that may be considered for eligible patients living with chronic lower-extremity nerve pain.
Peripheral Nerve Stimulation
Peripheral nerve stimulation is an option that may be evaluated for select patients with chronic foot, ankle, or lower-extremity nerve pain.
Vascular & Venous Procedures
Vascular Evaluation for Diabetic Wounds
Many serious foot problems are connected to circulation.
Venous Ablation
Venous insufficiency can cause leg swelling, heaviness, aching, varicose veins, and other venous-related lower-extremity symptoms.
Little Wigley Feet · Pediatric Care
Children's Foot Health (Parent Guide)
Flat feet, heel pain (Sever's), in-toeing, ingrown nails, and when to bring your child in.
These handouts are for general education and do not replace a medical evaluation, diagnosis, or the personalized instructions of your physician. For an evaluation, request an appointment or call (305) 895-9528.