Foot And Ankle Trauma Specialist

What kinds of acute foot and ankle injuries are there?

The kinds of acute foot and ankle injuries Dr. Sana sees most often include:

Sprains and strains

Sprains are injuries where ligaments overstretch or tear, which is what happens when you sprain your ankle. 

Strains affect tendons in a similar way. The Achilles tendon on the back of your heel is the largest tendon in your body, and while extremely strong, it can rupture under enough force.

Fractures

Fractures are breaks in the bones. As there are 52 bones in each foot and ankle, fractures are a common problem. 

Crush injuries in the feet occur if you drop something heavy on your foot or squash the foot. Ankle fractures and fractures of the talus and heel bones are other common types of foot and ankle injuries.

What chronic foot and ankle injuries might I get?

Chronic foot and ankle injuries are often a result of repeating the same movement to excess. This overuse or repetitive strain leads to a buildup of tiny tissue injuries that cause inflammation and chronic pain.

Common foot and ankle overuse injuries include:

Tendinitis

Your Achilles tendon is the one most likely to develop tendinitis (tissue inflammation) from an overuse injury. Chronic tendinitis can develop into tendinosis, where the tendon tissues start to deteriorate.

Stress fractures

Stress fractures are minute cracks in the foot or ankle bones. They’re a common problem for runners and are especially likely to develop if you regularly run on hard surfaces or use footwear that doesn’t cushion your feet sufficiently.

Plantar fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a tough piece of tissue that supports your foot’s arch. Overstraining it leads to inflammation and heel pain.

Circulatory problems

Other types of foot and ankle injuries can develop if you have poor circulation, which may be due to diabetes or conditions like chronic venous insufficiency. When blood isn’t flowing properly through your legs and feet, the tissues don’t get enough oxygen and nutrients. Fluid and pressure then build up, and open wounds called ulcers can develop.

Having neuropathy in your feet increases the risk. This nerve condition commonly affects people with diabetes and causes numbness, which means you might be unaware you have a foot or ankle injury.

How are foot and ankle injuries treated?

Treatment of your foot and ankle injury may include:

• Splinting or casting
• Physical therapies 
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or amniotic stem cell therapy
• Cortisone injections
• Viscosupplementation injections
  
  

Fractures and ruptured connective tissues might require surgical repair or reconstruction. Dr. Sana uses minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to see inside the joint and often performs the surgery using this method.

For the most advanced treatment of foot and ankle injuries, call Phoenician Foot & Ankle Specialists or book an appointment online today.