Cases of foot and ankle trauma typically happen if you have an accident, like dropping a heavy object on your foot or falling from a ladder and landing badly on your feet. Sports accidents, such as collisions with others or tripping and falling, are another common cause of foot and ankle trauma.

Some foot and ankle trauma develops more slowly over time. This kind of trauma, called a repetitive trauma injury or stress injury, often develops in athletes who perform the same movements over and over.

The experienced Great Lakes Foot and Ankle Institute podiatrists perform a careful examination of not only the injured area but also your entire foot and ankle. Additionally, the team uses the digital X-ray machine on site to view the inner bones of your foot and ankle in great detail.

Depending on the type of injury, you may also need further imaging tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computed tomography (CT) scan, which can show soft tissues including tendons and ligaments. Your podiatric care providers can diagnose the cause of your foot or ankle trauma quickly so you can start recovery right away.

Treatment for foot and ankle trauma is personalized for the problem and symptoms. Some of the treatment approaches include:

• Rest
• Applying Ice
• Splinting or taping
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Surgery to repair damaged bone, ligaments, tendons, or cartilage

After you recover, your podiatric care team may recommend making some changes, like wearing custom orthotics or changing your footwear, to minimize your risk for new trauma.

For foot and ankle trauma help from dedicated experts, call Great Lakes Foot and Ankle Institute or book with online scheduling now.