The bones of the lower leg, the tibia and fibula, and the talus, or anklebone, meet in the subtalar joint in our ankle. This joint, along with many in the feet, is responsible for the motion that allows us to walk, run, jump, and be active. Accordingly, pain and other symptoms have a significant impact on our ability to attend work and school and enjoy leisure activities. If you or a loved one is experiencing discomfort in the foot or ankle, Dr. Maria Cabodevilla-Conn of Newark, New Jersey’s Prospect Spine and Pain (PSP) can offer relief. As a board-certified, fellowship-trained Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physician, Dr. Maria Cabodevilla-Conn offers minimally invasive treatments that provide effective alternatives to surgical procedures.

Signs and Symptoms of Foot and Ankle Conditions

Conditions affecting the foot and ankle often impede mobility and quickly impact daily living. Many of these conditions share similar symptoms, which may include:

• Pain, aching, or tenderness
• Burning, tingling, and/or numb sensations
• Visible deformities
• Loss of mobility/stiffness
• Swelling and redness
• Heat over a joint
• Feeling that the foot and/or ankle won’t bear weight
• And more…

During a consultation at Prospect Spine and Pain (PSP), Dr. Maria Cabodevilla-Conn will determine a diagnosis through state-of-the-art medical imaging and an advanced physical exam. This approach allows her to identify specific conditions and develops personalized treatment plans that address their primary causes.

Foot and Ankle Conditions We Treat

While surgery may be needed in some cases, Dr. Maria Cabodevilla-Conn uses minimally invasive alternatives to help relieve pain and restore function whenever possible. By caring for the whole person rather than individual symptoms, she can treat the following conditions:

• Achilles tendon injuries: The body’s largest tendon, the Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. Injuries can include inflammation, small tears, and ruptures that cause a portion of the tendon to tear away.
• Ankle sprains: When the ankle moves outside its normal range of motion, this movement may tear or stretch the tendons.
• Bursitis of the foot: Bursae, or fluid-filled sacs, cushion joints in the foot and ankle. A variety of conditions, overuse, and deformities can all inflame these sacs and cause pain and stiffness.
• Gout: A form of arthritis, gout causes swelling, intense pain, and reddening around the joints in the foot and ankle that makes contact extremely uncomfortable.
• Osteoarthritis: This type of arthritis is a natural effect of aging and occurs when the cartilage between the bones wears away.
• Peripheral neuropathy: When nerves outside the spinal cord and brain are damaged, this condition causes pain, numbness, and weakness in the feet. It is a common side effect of diabetes and may be related to physical trauma, infections, and more.
• Plantar fasciitis: A large tendon, the plantar fascia, extends from the heel bone to the toes. Repeated stretching and small tears may cause inflammation and painful symptoms.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: This type of arthritis causes the immune system to attack healthy tissues, resulting in pain and swelling within the joints.
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome: Persistent swelling in the feet compresses the tarsal tunnel around the posterior tibial nerve. This condition commonly occurs in patients with diabetes, arthritis, and other diagnoses that cause swelling.
• Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons in the feet and ankles cause this condition, often characterized by pain and swelling.
  Explore Minimally Invasive Treatment for Foot and Ankle Pain

Patients in Newark, NJ can turn to Dr. Maria Cabodevilla-Conn and Prospect Spine and Pain (PSP) for minimally invasive foot and ankle care that helps prevent surgery to overcome pain and mobility challenges. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact us today.