Foot And Ankle Pain Specialist

When do I need treatment for foot and ankle pain?

Foot and ankle pain can be mild or severe, and it may range from very temporary to a chronic, debilitating issue. It's important to closely monitor all ankle pain to avoid worsening the underlying problem.

If you experience ankle pain that doesn't fade with a few days of rest, ice, and over-the-counter medication, it's time to contact Oakland Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. For ankle pain with swelling, skin discoloration, or ankle weakness, it's best to seek help right away.

What causes foot and ankle pain?

The main causes of foot and ankle pain are trauma, overuse, and disease. Some of the many different pain-causing ankle problems include:

• Achilles tendinitis - Achilles tendon inflammation
• Achilles tendon rupture - complete Achilles tendon tear
• Bursitis - inflammation of the cushioning sacs inside your ankle
• Osteoarthritis - ankle cartilage breakdown over time
• Rheumatoid arthritis - inflammation in joint linings
• Gout - inflammatory arthritis, featuring uric acid crystals
• Ankle sprain - overstretching or tearing of an ankle ligament
• Fractures - broken tibia, fibula, or talus bone
• Tarsal tunnel syndrome - nerve compression in the back of your foot 
• Osteochondritis dissecans - loss of blood supply to ankle bone and cartilage 

While foot and ankle pain is usually related to what you do, it can also happen when you don't do anything at all. If you're inactive for prolonged periods of time, the muscles in your lower body progressively weaken. That can lead to stiffness, weakness, pain, and an increased risk of injury when you become active again.

How is foot and ankle pain treated?

At Oakland Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, the experienced team recommends a personalized treatment approach for every person with foot and ankle pain. They review your medical history and conduct a complete physical evaluation first, and you may also need lab tests, X-rays, or other diagnostic tests to determine the source of the pain.

Conservative care

Your treatment may include non-surgical care such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, ankle bracing, and PowerStep® orthotic inserts or custom orthotics. Infections require antibiotics, and if you have an open wound, you typically need wound care.

Precision medicine

Precision medicine injections can help your body regenerate damaged and worn tissue. Some common examples include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and VIAFLOW™ Placental Tissue Matrix. 

Surgery

If your ankle condition isn't treatable with non-surgical care, you could need surgery to repair bones, tendons, ligaments, or other damage inside your ankle. Oakland Orthopedics and Sports Medicine offers all types of ankle surgery, with an emphasis on minimally invasive approaches where possible.

The caring Oakland Orthopedics and Sports Medicine team is here to explain all the treatment choices for foot and ankle pain and support you through a fast recovery. Call the office or book an appointment online now.