Have you noticed any snapping sounds coming from your feet or ankle when you are walking or running?

Snapping foot

Snapping in the foot or ankle is a condition in which you feel a snapping sensation or hear a popping sound in your foot when you move your lower extremities. The snapping sensation occurs when a muscle or tendon (the strong tissue that connects muscle to bone) moves over a bony protrusion in your feet. 

Although snapping anywhere is usually painless and harmless, the sensation can be annoying. In some cases, snapping in the foot can lead to bursitis, a painful swelling of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints.

When tendon snapping/popping follows major trauma, tearing of support soft tissue structures may have occurred and warrants an orthopedic consult if the snapping is either painful or limits function.

Author
Han N. Nguyen, DPM Dr. Han Nguyen specializes in both the surgical and conservative treatment of the foot and ankle. She graduated from Florida Southern College, Lakeland, Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. She then proceeded to obtain her doctorate degree from Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in North Chicago, Illinois. She was in the top 10 percent of her graduating class. Dr. Nguyen went on to complete a 3-year integrated Podiatric Medicine and Surgery residency with added credential in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle surgery at White Memorial Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. During residency she rescued her beloved dog name, Meepo. They have been inseparable ever since. In her free time she enjoys cooking and baking for her friends and family. She loves outdoor recreational activities such as road biking, hiking, and running. She took part in the OC half marathon. Han Nguyen DPM, AACFAS Board Qualified Foot & Ankle Surgeon Aloha Foot and Ankle Associates, Inc. Phone (949) 364-2525

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