Injections of Anatomical Regions and Diseases: Ankle and Foot

Since the foot and ankle regions consist of many different bones and joints, injections around foot and ankle joints are important both for diagnostic and therapeutic reasons. Injections can be used to improve patient’s quality of life and can be used to facilitate return to play time in athletic population. Even though the ankle joint is considered to be the most common site of injections, other joint, tendon, and ligament pathologies can also be treated by injections to improve symptoms and facilitate healing process. Different agents can be used to treat and diagnose the pathologies including steroids, orthobiologic products, local anesthesia, and homeopathic drugs. When planning the injections around foot and ankle, a good understanding of the underlying pathology for deciding the type of injection to be used is essential. Injections can be performed with freehand technique or ultrasound-guided technique. When performing freehand technique, detailed knowledge of anatomical structures are important. This chapter serves as a valuable resource for orthopedic surgeons who are involved in administering injections in the ankle and foot regions. By combining a thorough understanding of the anatomy with a diverse range of injection techniques, clinicians can optimize patient outcomes and contribute to enhanced functional recovery and overall well-being.