Common Injuries Foot and Ankle Specialists Treat

Your foot and ankle facilitate movement from the moment you wake up. As a result, they are exposed to myriad injuries, but can also result from degenerative diseases. Fortunately, various Foot and Ankle Specialists can help you with treatment and preventative measures.

These specialists will advise treatment depending on the severity and type of your condition. If you are suspicious of something uncommon on your foot and ankle, it is high time to see one. The following are common injuries that foot and ankle specialists treat.

Achilles Injuries

The Achilles tendon is the largest in the body, stretching from the calf muscle to the heel. When subjected to excess stress, it can partially or fully rupture. As a result, a person can be sidelined for some time.

While there is nothing you can do concerning an acute trauma that tears this tissue, multiple Achilles tendon results from overuse. See medical attention if you notice some pain or ache in this tendon. A foot and ankle specialist can address this condition and offer preventative measures.

Plantar Fasciitis

This injury is popular among adults, causing sharp pain in the foot’s heel. It results from inflammation of the Fascia band of tissues. You may experience pain when you take the first step when you wake up.

The pain may reduce whenever the band stretches, but it continues to flare when you take a rest. As a result, it may become difficult to walk. You should consult a foot and ankle specialist as they can help with different treatments, like physical therapy.

Ankle Sprain

Ligaments are essential for keeping your ankles from moving too far from one side to another. Whenever a sprain occurs, one or more ligaments can be torn or stretched excessively. High ankle sprains affect the syndesmotic ligament running from the knee into the ankle.

Even though several sprains are minor and heal using ice and rest, you may need to see a physician. If the pain persists after trying ice and rest, you should see a foot and ankle specialist. An untreated sprain can make your ankle weak or cause repetitive sprains.

Fractured Ankle

Contrary to small stress fractures, which can occur in the feet, a fracture on your bone mainly results from impact or traumatic injury. Ankle fracture rarely occurs simultaneously. However, when they occur, you might confuse them with the stress fracture and self-diagnose wrongly.

You should be suspicious of ankle fractures when you notice bruising, swelling, and blistering symptoms. These symptoms are indicators that your fracture is severe and you need immediate treatment. Early diagnosis allows your healthcare provider to administer the most effective treatment to reduce the risk of infection.

Bunions

Bunions or Hallux valgus is an enlarged big toe joint that grows from movement forms and direct irritation. The bones forming the joint become misaligned, causing your joints to become swollen. They cause trouble walking, pain, and inability to find fitting shoes.

You should consult a foot and ankle physician for diagnosis and treatment. In most cases, the provider can recommend wearing wider shoes to eliminate pain. If the condition has worsened, the physician can suggest surgery.

Whether acute or chronic, foot and ankle injuries can be aggravating. For instance, walking can become challenging, or you can experience sharp pain after sitting for some time. Thus, you must contact a provider if you notice pain, swelling, and bruising in the foot and ankles.

Your physician will comprehensively evaluate your foot or ankle before deciding the best treatment. They can recommend physical therapy, ice or rest, or surgery. The provider will also suggest measures to reduce the risk of these injuries.