By Dr. Karl Henrikson

Anyone from the elite athlete to casual walker can fall victim to foot and ankle pain or injury. These issues are common and understanding them is key to staying active and healthy.

In this article, we’ll cover what foot and ankle injuries are, how to prevent them, and when to seek help from a specialist. The goal is to keep you safe and healthy—and make sure you get the care you need when you need it.

What are some common foot and ankle injuries?

There are many types of foot and ankle injuries, which are defined as any injury to the bones, joints, or soft tissues that make up the ankle and foot.

• Stress fractures
• Jones fractures
• Heel bone fractures
• Ankle fractures
• Ankle sprains
• Achilles tendon injuries
• Lisfranc (midfoot) injury
• Joint dislocation
• Morton’s neuroma
• Bunions
• Hammer toe
• Arthritis
• Tendinitis
• Plantar fasciitis

These injuries are very common. Ankle sprains, for instance, affect about two million Americans every year. Like we said, they can happen to anyone, whether you’re a marathon runner or just someone who walks their dog every day. Injuries may happen due to trauma (like car accidents or falls), chronic conditions, or overuse from sports or work.

How are foot and ankle injuries treated?

The treatments for foot and ankle injuries will vary based on each patient’s needs, but here is a general guide.

• Achilles tendon: Treatments for Achilles tendon tears depend on many things, including whether any tear is partial or complete. Small, partial tears respond well to non-surgical treatment, and even complete tears can sometimes be treated non-surgically. However, a surgeon may recommend surgical treatment if you are a competitive athlete, or if jumping and pushing off with your toes are critical movements as part of your lifestyle.
• Ankle fractures: If your doctor suspects a fracture, they will send you for X-rays to evaluate the injury’s If it is a fracture, your doctor may recommend a brace or walking boot while your ankle heals. In severe cases, you may need surgery to realign and stabilize bone fragments. Sometimes, bone grafting is recommended. In any case, rehabilitation is essential to recovery.
• Ankle sprains: Most ankle sprains can be treated without surgery, instead requiring rest and rehabilitation. Very severe sprains may require surgery (like arthroscopy or reconstruction) and a cast or protective boot.
• Jones fracture: When you break the base of the bone that joins your pinkie toe to the base of your foot, this is called a Jones fracture. These are sometimes treated with a cast or boot, and other times with surgery (realignment or bone grafting).
• Lisfranc (midfoot) injury: These are sometimes mistaken for sprains, but a Lisfranc injury is severe and will take many months to heal. Lisfranc injury will sometimes require surgery, but non-surgical treatments include wearing a cast, boot, and/or orthotic and regular checkups with your doctor.
• Bunions: Most bunions can be treated without surgery by switching to properly fitting shoes that don’t pinch your toes. If non-surgical options aren’t working (and you’re still experiencing pain and having trouble walking), your doctor may recommend bunion surgery to bring the toe back to the correct position.
• Hammer toe: There are many non-surgical treatments for hammer toes, including footwear changes, pads and taping, orthotics, and proper use of NSAIDs. Surgeons usually only recommend surgical treatments if other options don’t relieve your symptoms.
• Morton’s neuroma: When the tissue surrounding the nerve that leads to the toes becomes thickened, you can experience consistent pain in the ball of the foot. This can be treated by switching shoes, using orthotics, or with corticosteroid injections. If none of those treatment options work, surgery may be needed.
• Arthritis: There are different types of arthritis that could affect the foot and ankle, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, and gout. However, there are many non-surgical and surgical treatment methods available to you via a qualified foot and ankle specialist. Those treatments include medications, lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and joint injections. You can learn more about arthritis types and treatments in our helpful article.

How can I prevent foot and ankle injuries?

• Wear the right shoes for your feet. If you have flat feet or lower arches, you’ll benefit from stable shoes with arch support and more sole rigidity. Alternatively, if you have higher arches, you may have stiffer feet and will be safer in shoes that are more flexible and provide shock absorption.
• Listen to your body. If you regularly play sports or do anything else that’s strenuous, listen to your body if you start to feel discomfort or pain. Never push through discomfort or pain, as that can aggravate injuries that may be developing and make them worse.
• If you regularly play sports and already have an injury, take it easy. Athletes with injuries should start slow and let the muscles that stabilize the foot and ankle gain stability—with gentle use—over time.
• Be extra careful in inclement weather. Wear boots with good traction, avoid ice, and always be vigilant to help prevent unexpected slips and falls.
• Recognize if you’re more susceptible to foot and ankle injuries. Athletes who play sports that include rapid cutting to one side or the other (think football or basketball) are at a higher risk of ankle injuries like sprains and should be more mindful.

What does an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist do? How are they different from other surgeons?

First comes residency

Orthopedic foot and ankle specialists represent the most highly trained individuals among all professionals who care for foot and ankle problems. All our orthopedic foot and ankle specialists have completed an orthopedic surgery residency, and that residency includes a significant amount of foot and ankle training that’s integrated into a whole-body approach to learning acute and chronic orthopedic conditions.

Next is fellowship

After graduating with the competency to care for general orthopedic problems, specialists may choose to pursue an additional one-to-two-year fellowship in foot and ankle surgery. During this fellowship, they cultivate advanced skill sets in foot and ankle surgery and learn the latest foot and ankle research and developments. The entire process of becoming a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon takes around 10 years.

Our commitment to knowledge, care, and the orthopedic oath is ongoing

Required by oath, orthopedic foot and ankle specialists practice evidence-based medicine, both on their own merits and by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ guidance. This committed approach results in the best treatment outcomes for patients. Additionally, orthopedic surgeons spend their careers staying on top of the latest developments in the field.

What conditions do orthopedic foot and ankle specialists treat?

Foot and ankle specialists are trained to treat every condition affecting the foot and ankle, both surgically and non-surgically. At OSMS, our specialists perform procedures ranging from complex surgeries—such as total ankle replacements, arthritis treatments, and correction of congenital or acquired deformities—to more common operations for athletic injuries (like sprains or Achilles tendon injuries), traumatic fractures, bunions, hammer toes, and midfoot arthritis.

When should I see a foot and ankle specialist?

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, you may need to see a foot and ankle specialist.

• Difficulty walking due to pain
• Difficulty or inability to put weight on one foot
• A very swollen and painful ankle
• Pain, tenderness, redness, or inflammation of the foot
• Consistent or recurring pain in one area of your foot
• Foot, ankle, or lower leg pain during and after exercise
• Foot, ankle, or lower leg pain that worsens throughout the day

Where can I find the right foot and ankle specialist in my area?

Wisconsin and Upper Michigan patients, come visit our team as OSMS—and you can often be seen the same day and we accept most insurance plans.

Seeing an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist at OSMS allows patients to see an expert in all surgical and non-surgical foot and ankle conditions. Our doctors have years of training and are constantly staying well-versed in new and existing practices.

Click here to schedule an appointment.

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Dr. Karl Henrikson, MD is an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist and physician owner at OSMS.