Common Foot and Ankle Injuries

Exceptional Foot and Ankle Care in Birmingham Alabama

Few people consider the complexity of their feet. Unless you have an injury, it’s just not something most people think about. Your feet, however, stand up to immense pressure every day. Each of your feet contains 26 bones, 38 muscles, 56 ligaments and a complex array of blood vessels and nerves. While your feet may not get much fanfare, they literally form the foundation of your body, bearing your entire weight on a relatively small surface area.

Did you know that just taking a single step adds one and half times your body weight of pressure onto your feet? Running increases this to as much as three to four times your body weight. That’s a lot of stress for your feet to cope with. Yet for the most part, they hold up, with the average person walking as much as 80,000 miles during their lifetime. That breaks down to about 8,000 to 10, 0000 steps each day.

It comes as no shock then, that foot and ankle injuries are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries that orthopedic surgeons see. From sprains to fractures, the foot can easily become stressed or injured by daily activities such as walking, standing, and running. This is especially true for athletes, who place large demands on their feet and ankles.

Treatment Will Depend on the Kind and Severity of the Foot or Ankle Injury

Injuries to the foot and ankle can cause pain, swelling and inflammation, decreased range of motion, loss of functionality, weakness, stiffness, and deformities. Fortunately, effective treatments are available to help relieve pain, increase functionality and repair injuries to the foot and ankle.

The best treatment and repair for optimal recovery will depend on the specific type and severity of your foot injury or condition. Because the foot is such a complex structure, there is no single treatment that applies to all foot and ankle injuries. Each injury must be evaluated on a case by case basis to address the underlying causes and components of your specific foot and ankle injury.

Common Foot and Ankle Conditions and Injuries include:

Common Treatments for Foot and Ankle Injuries Include:

  • Bracing or Casting
  • Minimally Invasive Arthroscopic surgery  
  • Ankle Fusion
  • Plantar Fascia Release
  • Debridement of Achilles Tendon
  • Ligament Reconstruction
  • Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections
  • Steroid Injections

What to do if you Suspect a Foot or Ankle Injury

If you notice pain, feel a popping sensation in your foot or ankle, have bruising, swelling or other symptoms of concern, you should avoid placing weight on your injured foot. Try elevating the affected foot and using ice to help relieve pain and decrease swelling. If the injury seems severe, such as a broken bone, torn tendon or serious sprain, seek immediate medical attention.

Only a properly trained physician can determine the extent of your foot or ankle injury, or what treatment is right for you. Treatment can range from a rest and restriction of activities, to orthotics, braces, or even a cast, corticosteroid injections, physical therapy, or surgery.

At Lemak Health we are experts in all areas of foot and ankle care, including sophisticated treatment for sports injuries of the foot and ankle. We offer comprehensive care for foot and ankle injuries and conditions of all kinds. If you or a loved one has a foot or ankle injury or condition, we can help. Please call us at 205-397-5200. You can also email us at info@lemakhealth.com for more information.