When Should I Seek Help for a Foot or Ankle Problem?
These symptoms are all red flags that your foot or ankle needs medical attention from the experts at Orthocenter:
- Signs of a sprain or fracture (pain, swelling, bruising, inability to bear weight)
- Difficulty walking or restricted movement
- Ongoing pain in your foot or ankle
- Heel pain after resting
- Abnormal growth or bump
You should also have your foot evaluated if you develop a noticeable deformity.
What Common Foot and Ankle Conditions are Treated By Orthopedic Specialists?
The team at Orthocenter treats the full scope of foot and ankle conditions, from fractures and ankle sprains to degenerative disease and these three common problems:
- Achilles Tendinitis: The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscle to your heel bone, raising the heel every time you take a step. Achilles tendinitis occurs when the tendon becomes inflamed, a problem that often develops due to repetitive stress or when you suddenly increase the intensity of your activities.
- Bunions: A bunion forms when the bones of your big toe are forced out of their normal position. The tip of the toe turns inward, while the joint at the base of the big toe is pushed outward, creating a bony bump on the side of your foot. Bunions develop over years of pressure caused by unbalanced foot movement.
- Heel Pain: Heel pain is most often caused by plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, and Achilles tendinitis. Plantar fasciitis develops when the band of connective tissue that runs from your heel to your toes develops small tears and becomes inflamed.
How are Foot and Ankle Conditions Treated?
The team at Orthocenter starts your treatment with conservative measures such as physical therapy, stretching exercises, taping, splinting, and modifying your activities.
When conservative options fail to relieve your pain, the doctors at Orthocenter are experts in a variety of minimally invasive surgical techniques to correct deformities and repair joints, bones, tendons, and ligaments.
If you have a fracture, your foot and ankle must be immobilized to give the bones time to heal. Depending on the severity of the fracture, you may need immediate surgery to realign and stabilize the bones.
Many foot and ankle problems benefit from regenerative medicine options such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell injections. When PRP and stem cells are injected at the site of your injury, they relieve pain and promote healing by stimulating cell growth and reducing inflammation.
If you develop pain, swelling, or other problems with your foot or ankle, call Orthocenter or book an appointment online.
