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Foot and Ankle
Three out of four Americans will experience serious foot problems at some point in their lifetime. But until problems happen, we tend to forget about caring for our feet, even neglecting them altogether.
The condition of your feet can be a good indicator of your overall health. But over time, the bones and joints within our feet and ankles can give out, requiring special treatment to get back to normal. That's where Mercy foot and ankle specialists come in.
Why Choose Mercy for Foot and Ankle Care
Mercy's orthopedic specialists are part of a team that includes board-certified doctors with advanced education in diagnosing and treating foot and ankle disorders. We have the skills and collective experience necessary to help people overcome most foot, ankle and lower leg problems.
We take your health care very seriously. That's why we make sure you're fully aware of the risks and benefits of any treatment plan we recommend, including surgery. We hope that when you leave our care, you're confident about your own path toward recovery and pain management.
Foot and Ankle Pain
Your ankle is a joint that connects your foot to your lower leg bones. Your foot is made up of 26 tiny bones and contains more than one hundred muscles, ligaments and tendons. If something harms even one of these parts, it can cause pain and affect your mobility and balance.
An ailment in your feet can be the first sign of a more serious medical issue, such as arthritis or diabetes. But routine foot and ankle care can prevent or reduce many foot and ankle problems from occurring in the first place.
Common Foot and Ankle Conditions
Our orthopedic specialists have experience caring for and treating most common foot and ankle injuries. Our areas of expertise include:
- Common sprains and strains
- Fractures and dislocations
- Tendon tears, including Achilles ruptures
- Bursitis and tendonitis
- Foot deformities, including flattened or collapsed arches
- Athlete's foot and fungal toenail infections
- Hammertoe, heel spurs and plantar fasciitis
- Arthritis
Foot and Ankle Treatment Options
Some injuries heal on their own after plenty of rest. Others may require complete immobilization or even surgery to heal completely.
Your treatment plan will depend on several factors, including your age, lifestyle and the severity of your injury. Treatment for foot and ankle injuries may include:
- Surgery to repair tendons or stabilize bones
- Medicine and steroid shots (cortisone injections)
- Orthotics (shoe inserts) to redistribute your weight
- Orthopedic rehabilitation
- Foot and ankle reconstruction
- A brace or walking boot
- Crutches or a cane to help you walk
- A cast or splint
- Rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE)
- Bunion correction
No matter how bad your injury is or may seem, you can rest assured we'll take excellent care of you. We'll closely monitor your injury until it's fully healed and help you carefully work back toward your normal activities.
Whether you're sidelined by a sprain or have been recently diagnosed with tendonitis, you can count on Mercy. If foot pain is impacting your quality of life, talk to us today about your treatment options. We'll help you put your best foot forward.