Common Foot and Ankle Injuries in Sugar Land, TX

Plantar Fasciitis

This is one of the most common foot and ankle injuries in adults, with nearly two million patients suffering from this condition annually. Most patients with plantar fasciitis note that they feel pain while taking the first few steps after waking up in the morning. Pain typically subsides after the facia band has time to stretch out and becomes less inflamed but will flare up again after each time that it is rested. Though some cases of this injury can be fixed with rest, stretching, and ice, most will need additional medical support to overcome the associated pain. Our foot and ankle specialists will look at your unique circumstances and find the best treatment options to address the issue.

Ankle Sprain

When an ankle sprain occurs, one or more ligaments have been stretched or torn. High ankle sprains are one of the most common foot and ankle injuries, and while most sprains are minor and heal with rest and ice, if swelling and pain persist, it’s crucial to reach out to a professional. Moderate to severe sprains that are left untreated can weaken the ankle and cause repeated sprains or lead to other, more severe ankle injuries. It is essential to get help from seasoned foot and ankle doctors, so your repeated ankle sprains do not eventually lead to arthritis.

Stress Fractures of the Foot

Excessive or repetitive force can eventually cause microscopic damage to the bones in the feet. Stress fractures are the result of repeated impact to the foot that accumulates over time. When the bones within the feet and their supporting muscles don’t have enough time to heal in-between physical activity, it may result in tiny cracks in the bones. Stress fractures can also happen if a person changes their usual physical activity, like a sudden increase or change in workouts.

Fractures of the Ankle

A fracture in one of the bones of the ankle is often the result of a direct impact or a traumatic injury. This is a serious injury that will require prompt care from one of our foot and ankle specialists and is accompanied by swelling, bruising, pain, blistering, or deformity. Sometimes we even have patients visit us who have a bone protruding from the skin, which requires immediate treatment to avoid infection.

Achilles Tendonitis or Tear

The Achilles is the largest tendon in the body. It connects the two primary calf muscles to the bone in the heel and runs down the back of the ankle. Due to its location and likelihood of being overused, it is highly susceptible to inflammation. This inflammation is referred to as Achilles tendonitis and can easily lead to an Achilles tear or rupture. While this often happens over time due to repetitive inflammation, it can also be a result of trauma to the area. If you hear a popping noise or experience heel pain after landing a jump, the Achilles tendon could have ruptured, and you will need to seek immediate medical attention.

• Restrict your activity and get off your foot/ankle.
• Gently place a plastic bag of ice wrapped in a towel on the injured area in a 20-minute-on, 40-minute-off cycle.
• Lightly wrap an Ace bandage around the area, taking care not to pull it too tight.
• To reduce swelling and pain, sit in a position that allows you to elevate the foot/ankle higher than your waist.
• For bleeding cuts, cleanse thoroughly, apply pressure with a gauze or a towel, and cover with a clean dressing. See your podiatrist as soon as possible. It’s best not to use any medication on the cut before you see the doctor.

• Leave blisters unopened if they are not painful or in a weight-bearing area of the foot. A compression bandage placed over a blister can provide relief.
• Foreign materials in the skin-such as slivers, splinters, and sand can be removed carefully, but a deep foreign object, such as broken glass or a needle, must be removed professionally.
• Treatment for an abrasion is similar to that of a burn since raw skin that is exposed to the air can quickly become infected. It is vital to remove all foreign particles through a thorough cleaning. Sterile bandages should be applied, along with an antibiotic cream or ointment.

It can’t be broken, because I can move it.

False; this widespread idea has kept many fractures from receiving proper treatment. Oftentimes, you can still walk with certain fractures. Common instances include breaks in the smaller, outer bone of the lower leg, small chip fractures in the foot or ankle bones, as well as the often-neglected toe fractures.

If you break a toe, immediate care isn’t necessary.

False; a toe fracture requires immediate attention. If X-rays reveal it’s a simple, displaced fracture, our podiatric specialists can typically produce rapid relief. However, X-rays might identify a displaced or angulated break. In such cases, prompt realignment of the fracture by your podiatric physician will help prevent improper or incomplete healing. Often, fractures do not show up in the initial X-ray. It may be necessary to X-ray the foot a second time, seven to ten days later. A general rule is to seek prompt treatment for any injury to the foot bones.

The terms ‘fracture,’ ‘break,’ and ‘crack’ are all different.

False; all of these words are proper in describing a broken bone.

If you have a foot or ankle injury, soak it in hot water immediately.

False; don’t use heat or hot water on an area that may be exhibiting a fracture, sprain, or dislocation. Heat promotes blood flow, causing more significant swelling. More swelling means greater pressure on the nerves, which is responsible for more pain. An ice bag wrapped in a towel has a contracting effect on blood vessels, produces a numbing sensation, and prevents swelling and pain. Our skilled physicians can make additional recommendations upon examination.

Applying an elastic bandage to a severely sprained ankle is adequate treatment.

False; ankle sprains often mean torn or severely overstretched ligaments, and they should receive immediate care. We suggest X-ray examination, immobilization by casting or splinting, and physiotherapy for a healthy recovery. Surgery may even be necessary.