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What may increase the risk of a problem from toe, foot, and ankle injuries?

Many conditions, lifestyle choices, medications, and diseases interfere with your ability to heal or fight infection. You may be at risk for a more serious problem from your symptoms if you have any of the following. Be sure to tell your health professional.

Conditions

A toe, foot, or ankle condition present since birth (congenital defect)
Previous injury
Previous surgery to the injured area

Lifestyle choices

Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
Drug abuse or withdrawal
Smoking or other tobacco use

Medications

Anticoagulants, such as warfarin (Coumadin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, or aspirin
Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
Medications to prevent organ transplant rejection

Diseases

Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus
Cancer
Diabetes
Gout
Hemophilia
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
Idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP)
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Osteoarthritis
Osteomyelitis
Peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral arterial disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
Septic arthritis
Septic bursitis
Sickle cell disease
Venous insufficiency

Author	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Gavin W.G. Chalmers, DPM - Podiatry and Podiatric Surgery
Last Updated	October 27, 2008

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: October 27, 2008

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.