Every year podiatrists see millions of patients that come in complaining of swelling, stiffness, and pain in their feet and ankles. Many of these patients are being seen for conditions such as ingrown toenails, flat feet, corns, bunions, warts, or even athlete’s foot. When more complex issues are present, it’s time for you to seek out an orthopaedic doctor who specializes in Foot and Ankle medicine. If you’re wondering whether you need the help of a podiatrist or it’s time to schedule an appointment at our office, keep reading.
An Introduction To The Most Common Foot & Ankle Injuries
While the conditions mentioned before can be uncomfortable or even downright painful, they’re all easily treatable by a podiatrist. The following conditions all involve injuries to the bones and tissues of the foot and ankle and need more specialized care.
- Achilles Tendonitis – As the longest tendon in our body, this structure is particularly vulnerable to injury and inflammation. While this can be painful and debilitating, it gets immeasurably worse when this tendon becomes ruptured or torn. If you started experiencing pain after hearing a pop in this tendon, it’s time to see a specialist.
- Ankle Sprain – Our ankles get put through a lot of punishment, but the ligaments that hold them in place are up to the task. Unless they get stretched or torn, that is. It’s essential that sprains in the ankle get treated so that this joint doesn’t weaken over time. If sprained repeatedly, arthritis can be the result.
- Stress Fractures – With the repetitive impact our feet undergo through normal walking, it should come as no surprise that severe impacts can actually damage the bone. This damage can occur over time or come on suddenly from an acute injury.
- Ankle Fractures – Stress fractures in the foot can be uncomfortable and take a long time to heal but are rarely severe enough to cause lasting concern. Ankle fractures, on the other hand, run the risk of being permanently debilitating by weakening the structure of the joint.
These conditions all represent times when you need to be certain you’re working with a specialist. The joints and structures of the foot and ankle are complex, and without expert care lasting damage could result from injury.
Learn More With An Appointment Today
If you’re uncertain if your injury requires our attention, the best thing you can do is arrange an appointment with one of our specialists. They’ll take the time to assess your injury and provide you with a consultation on how to proceed. If an injury is suspected, you may be sent for imaging so our team can get a clearer image of any existing damage and use that information to begin a comprehensive plan for your recovery. Don’t wait for the injury to get worse. Call us today and set your mind and feet at ease.
