What are ankle and foot injuries?
Ankle and foot injuries often involve sports or work injuries, degenerative diseases, or congenital abnormalities. Common injuries and their causes include:
- Strains and sprains
- Osteoarthritis
- Achilles tendon ruptures
- Osteoporosis and fractures
- Bursitis and tendinitis
- Diabetic foot problems
- Plantar fasciitis
- Ankle instability
- Morton’s neuroma
- Hammertoe or club foot
Foot and ankle injuries can significantly hinder your quality of life, as they often limit your mobility and prevent you from staying active. Seeking treatment is the best way to fully recover from a foot or ankle injury.
What are the symptoms of foot and ankle injuries?
If you experience a foot or ankle injury, you may notice one or more of the following signs and symptoms.
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Tenderness
- Stiffness
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Inability to bear weight on your foot
To diagnose the extent of your injury and establish the most appropriate treatment, your orthopedic specialist at Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Centers reviews your injury history and symptoms, examines your foot and ankle, and uses X-rays or other imaging procedures.
How are foot and ankle injuries treated?
Your personalized treatment for a foot or ankle injury depends on the type and severity of the injury. Your doctor might recommend one or more of the following.
RICE treatment
For minor injuries that don’t require surgery, your doctor may suggest RICE therapy: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. You might require crutches to avoid bearing weight on the injury while it heals, and a wrap, brace, boot, or splint.
Medication
For foot and ankle injuries associated with severe pain, your provider might recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, prescription medicines, or injections to reduce inflammation and alleviate discomfort.
Physical therapy
The on-site physical therapists at Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Centers help strengthen, stretch, and rehabilitate areas of your foot and ankle to accelerate healing and prevent future injuries.
Casting
If you have a broken bone, a cast is often necessary to stabilize the bone and hold it in proper alignment while it heals.
Custom orthotics
Wearing the right footwear optimizes the healing of foot and ankle injuries and helps prevent future problems. Your doctor customizes shoes and inserts to perfectly match the size and shape of your feet.
PRP injections
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections use platelets from your blood to accelerate healing naturally without surgery or downtime.
Shockwave therapy
During non-invasive shockwave therapy, your orthopaedic specialist uses acoustic waves to promote faster tissue regeneration and long-term healing.
Surgery
In the case of severe foot or ankle injuries, your specialist might suggest surgery to realign broken or deformed bones. They may place metal screws, plates, or rods in your foot or ankle to hold bones in place during healing.
Don’t let a foot or ankle injury prevent you from staying active, going to work, or playing sports. Schedule an appointment with Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Centers over the phone or online today.