Foot Injuries

What are foot injuries?

A foot injury damages the hard or soft tissues in your feet. Anyone can experience a foot injury, but they’re especially common in athletes and other active individuals. 

If you drop something heavy on your foot or step down awkwardly and twist your ankle, contact the team at Advanced Care Foot and Ankle. 

What are some common foot injuries?

The team at Advanced Care Foot and Ankle treats a wide range of foot injuries, including:

Stress fractures

A stress fracture occurs due to excess pressure on a bone. Activities like running, dancing, or playing soccer put stress on the muscles in your feet, causing a hairline fracture to form. Without treatment, the fracture grows, causing intense pain that affects your mobility.

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis causes chronic heel pain. It occurs when the plantar fascia –– a band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot –– develops small tears. The tears become inflamed, causing intense heel pain that’s worse in the morning.

Achilles tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis occurs when your Achilles tendon becomes inflamed. Often, tendonitis responds to conservative treatments, like at-home stretches and exercises to strengthen your calf muscles.

Ankle sprains

Ankle sprains occur when you step down awkwardly or twist your ankle. That causes the ligaments around your ankle to overextend, resulting in bruising, swelling, and pain. Minor sprains typically respond to ice and rest. Significant sprains may require more specialized treatment.

How are foot injuries diagnosed?

The team at Advanced Care Foot and Ankle diagnoses foot injuries during an in-office visit.

First, your provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms. Then, they conduct a physical exam, looking for bruising, swelling, or redness. Your provider also checks your muscle strength, reflexes, and range of motion.

Next, they order diagnostic imaging, like X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI. These procedures make it easy to identify underlying issues, like fractures or dislocated joints.

How are foot injuries treated?

Treatment of foot injuries depends on several factors, including the type of injury and the severity of your symptoms. The team at Advanced Care Foot and Ankle might recommend:

• Ice
• Rest and elevation
• Immobilization with a cast or a splint
• Physical therapy
• Corticosteroid injections
• Custom orthotics
• Sports medicine
• Mobility devices, like a cane, or crutches

If conservative treatments don’t provide lasting relief, you might benefit from surgery. The team provides traditional open and minimally invasive procedures.

To explore the treatment options for foot injuries, make an appointment at Advanced Care Foot and Ankle by calling the office or booking online today.