Foot and Ankle Trauma Recovery

A foot or ankle injury at the wrong time, whether you’re training for a marathon, working long shifts, or just starting a new fitness routine, can be especially frustrating. No matter what the circumstance is, there’s no doubt that foot and ankle trauma can be disruptive.

Your feet and ankles are the pillars of support, so the healing stage is crucial in determining how quickly you can return to your activities with full mobility. Returning to normal activities prematurely could delay healing and may affect movement, posture, and gait. This article will discuss the most common types of foot and ankle trauma, causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

Common Foot & Ankle Injuries in Podiatric Trauma Care

Foot and ankle injuries range from serious fractures to minor sprains. Here is a breakdown of the most common reasons patients visit our SynergyHealth podiatric trauma care team:

Foot Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries are perhaps some of the most common causes of foot & ankle pain we notice in our clinic. This type of injury can take on many forms but is frequently characterized by pain at the ball of the foot and/or lateral aspect. Many overuse injuries can be prevented by wearing supportive footwear and replacing shoes once they are worn out.

• Metatarsalgia – Causes discomfort, pain, or inflammation in the ball of the foot, frequently linked to high-impact activities like running or jumping.
• Plantar Fasciitis – Noticeable heel pain that worsens after rest or when you first get up in the morning.
• Morton’s Neuroma – A thickening of the nerve tissue that causes burning or pain in the ball of the foot.
• Peroneal Tendinopathy – Inflammation or tears in the peroneal tendons can cause pain along the outside of the foot and ankle, often linked to tight or unsupportive footwear.

Foot & Ankle Fractures: Stress Fractures vs. Acute Fractures

Foot and ankle fractures are one of the more intensive injuries patients see our podiatrists for.

• Stress fractures develop gradually from repetitive overuse, such as walking or running for extended periods. While there is typically no deformity, you may notice localized tenderness that worsens with activity. Treatment typically involves rest, adjustments to activity levels, and supportive orthotics.
• Acute fractures occur from a sudden trauma, such as in a sports activity. Pain is immediate and sometimes severe, with deformity and swelling. Depending on severity, acute fractures may need immobilization and surgical intervention. For proper treatment, it’s best to seek podiatric medical care to treat both stress and acute fractures.

Ankle Dislocation

An ankle dislocation is a severe injury that requires timely care and emergency surgery. This occurs when a separation between the bones and the ankle joint occurs. This injury is recognized by difficulty walking and pain associated with any weight placed on the ankle.

Ligament Tears and Sprains

Ankle sprains are among the most common foot and ankle injuries. According to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, most ankle sprains are lateral, meaning they occur on the outer side of the ankle. This is because the ligaments on the lateral side are weaker and more prone to injury than the medial or inner side of the ankle. Here is a breakdown of the different forms of ankle sprains:

Lateral Ankle Sprain

These types of sprains typically involve the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) or calcaneofibular ligament (CFL). A lateral sprain can be caused by rolling the ankle outward, which is common in sports that require quick movements and running, such as basketball or soccer.

Medial Ankle Sprain

Although less common, a medial ankle sprain is usually more severe than a lateral ankle sprain. This type of injury involves tearing or overstretching the deltoid ligament, which is a strong band on the inside of the ankle. This can occur from high-impact traumas, such as falls or accidents.

High Ankle Sprain

This type of injury involves the syndesmotic ligaments, which are located between the tibia and fibula. Oftentimes, this occurs when the foot is planted firmly on the ground and the ankle is suddenly twisted. This is more common in high-impact sports involving sudden turns, such as football or skiing. These sprains heal more slowly than lateral sprains, requiring surgery and immobilization.

Midfoot Sprain

A midfoot sprain involves the Lisfranc joint complex, or ligaments in the midfoot. Like a high ankle sprain, a midfoot sprain can also occur from a sudden twisting of the ankle while the foot is planted. Direct trauma, such as with a fall or accident, is common as well. It’s crucial to get a midfoot sprain evaluated by a podiatrist, as these sprains are serious and often mistaken for simple sprains.

Tendon Injuries

Tendon injuries happen frequently, especially in athletes. The role of the tendons in the feet and ankles is to attach two muscles, often assisting in walking, lifting toes, and stabilization. Many tendon injuries can cause pain along the outside or lateral part of the foot.

Achilles Tendon Rupture

An Achilles tendon rupture or tear is one of the more serious forms of a tendon injury. Sudden acceleration, such as in sprinting, jumping, or lunging, can overload or overstretch the Achilles tendon, resulting in a rupture. If left untreated, an Achilles rupture can result in chronic pain, difficulty walking, or permanent weakness.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is an inflammation of one of the tendons and is typically caused by shoes that are too tight, repetitive stress, or overused movements.

• Anterior Tibial Tendonitis is commonly found in athletes and runners. The tendon helps to lift the foot while walking.
• Extensor Tendonitis occurs from ill-fitting shoes or shoes that are too tight. It is also considered an overuse injury. Extensor tendonitis causes pain across the top of the foot that worsens with activity.

Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a ligament that supports the arch of the foot when walking. This is one of the most common causes of heel pain and is primarily caused by overuse and poorly designed footwear.

What Are the Top Causes of Ankle and Foot Trauma?

You don’t have to be an athlete to suffer from traumatic foot and ankle injuries.

• Daily accidents – Everything from falls and accidental missteps to car or work accidents can lead to significant foot or ankle pain.
• Sports and physical activity – Participating in a sport, physical activity, or training certain muscle groups can heighten the risk of a traumatic injury due to sudden movements or quick directional changes. Many sports require repetitive movements as well, so overuse injuries are common.
• Underlying health issues – Health conditions, such as osteoporosis or neuropathy, can increase the chances of fractures or other traumatic injuries. This is why SynergyHealth Foot & Ankle takes a patient-centric, integrated approach to treatment. We work with a variety of practitioners, including physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons.
• Unsupportive footwear – Wearing shoes that are too tight, ill-fitting, or worn out is one of the top causes of overuse injuries. We suggest checking the tread of your shoes for wear, tear, and compressibility. This is especially important for running shoes, which should be replaced every 3 – 6 months, depending on factors like mileage, running preference, and weight.
  • Flat cushioning
  • Worn-down tread in specific areas of the shoe
  • Holes in the shoe
  • Increased joint or foot pain.

Recognizing Ankle and Foot Injury Symptoms

• Immediate signs of an injury include pain, bruising, swelling, and localized tenderness to the injured site.
• Functional signs may arise either in the short term or long term, such as difficulty standing, bearing weight, walking, or running.
• Serious indicators that should warrant seeking out medical attention involve visible deformity or severe pain. This could indicate a possible unstable fracture or dislocation.

Why It’s Important to Seek Prompt Medical Attention

While not all injuries are serious, the benefits outweigh the risks when seeking out prompt medical care. Delaying care could result in improper healing and an extended period of chronic pain. Early intervention is key to giving yourself the best possible outcome and returning to your activities quickly.

Our board-certified podiatrists deliver immediate and comprehensive care. After an initial evaluation, your doctor may order tests to fully diagnose the injury, such as X-rays, an MRI, or CT scans. Once a diagnosis is made, your doctor will suggest a holistic treatment plan to give you the best possible recovery.

Prompt care can make all the difference in preventing long-term complications. At SynergyHealth Foot & Ankle, we combine advanced diagnostics with compassionate care to help you heal fully and safely. Schedule a visit with our podiatric trauma team and get back on your feet sooner.

Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment Options: Conservative and Surgical Interventions

At SynergyHealth Foot & Ankle, we offer a variety of treatment options, from conservative to surgical. After a diagnosis has been made, your doctor may suggest:

A Non-Invasive Approach

• RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to bring down swelling and ease pain.
• Immobilization with braces, walking boots, a cast, or even a stiff-soled shoe.
• Over-the-counter pain medications (NSAIDs).
• Physical therapy to restore strength, mobility, and flexibility to the foot or ankle.

Surgical Intervention

Unstable fractures, torn tendons, or complex dislocations may warrant surgery as the best treatment option. Our podiatrists have experience in ligament and tendon repair, as well as reconstructive surgery. We understand that surgery can be scary, which is why our award-winning podiatrists ensure a safe, comfortable environment for our patients while providing compassionate care.

Our practitioners will carefully walk you through the procedure and answer any questions you have before going into surgery. Once the injury is repaired, you may be prescribed pain medications and placed in a stability brace or cast.

Post-Treatment Rehabilitation and Recovery

Our state-of-the-art practice takes a comprehensive approach, collaborating with physical therapists, physicians, and surgeons to ensure a proper and smooth recovery. Depending on your injury, it could take several weeks to months before you’re able to return to your normal activities.

Taking an integrated approach to recovery ensures that you don’t return to normal activities too soon and risk reinjury or improper healing.

• Balance or strengthening exercises.
• Custom orthotics or proper footwear.
• Gradual return to normal activities.
• Wearing ankle supportive braces when resuming physically intensive activities.

The more determined you are in following through with your recovery plan, the faster you’ll be able to return to your sport and the stronger you’ll be able to perform.

Compassionate Care You Can Trust: SynergyHealth Foot & Ankle is Here to Help

Enduring a foot or ankle injury can be debilitating. Whether it be a foot fracture, ankle sprain, or plantar fasciitis, prompt timing is crucial in determining how quickly you’ll get back on your feet. Our thorough podiatrists are here to stand by your side throughout the entire recovery process with care.

Since opening in 2016, our team has been committed to providing patients with the time and attention they need to recover effectively. We don’t just treat the symptom; we coordinate with primary doctors, specialists, and therapists to ensure that your healing journey is seamless.

If you’re experiencing ankle or foot injury symptoms, such as bruising, pain, swelling, or difficulty walking, don’t wait for it to worsen. Our award-winning team at SynergyHealth Foot & Ankle specializes in traumatic foot and ankle injury treatment. Contact us today and take the first step towards a speedy, effective recovery.