Treating a Range of Foot & Ankle Conditions & Injuries
Your ankle is a single joint with three bones, and your foot has 33 joints and 26 bones. Throughout your ankles and feet, you have many tendons, muscles, nerves and ligaments. Damage to any of these tissues can cause various problems.
At Dignity Health in the Bay Area, we know how important it is for you to get back to enjoying a pain-free life after an injury. That’s why our orthopedic team focuses on treating pain at the source. We offer complete orthopedic care for the following foot and ankle conditions:
- Achilles tendon problems
- Ankle fractures
- Ankle sprains
- Arthritis
- Bunions
- Corns, calluses, and blisters
- Foot fractures
- Hammertoes
- Heel pain and spurs
- Nerve problems, including Morton’s neuroma
- Plantar fasciitis
To learn more about our treatment for orthopedic conditions, including foot and ankle conditions and injuries, in the Bay Area, Find a Doctor today.
Symptoms of Common Foot & Ankle Problems
Symptoms of foot and ankle conditions and injuries depend on the specific problem. However, the most common symptom is pain. Pain can be temporary and sudden (acute) or ongoing (chronic). It can range from dull and aching to sharp and stabbing, and may worsen with activity or when wearing shoes. Sometimes, pain can occur with the slightest touch. Other symptoms can include:
- Bruising
- Changes in appearance
- Numbness
- Redness
- Swelling
Causes of Foot & Ankle Conditions & Injuries
Foot problems, such as bunions, corns, and calluses, may be caused by shoes that don’t fit correctly. Improperly fitting shoes can also worsen existing conditions of the foot and ankle.
Wear and tear (degeneration) of joints, tendons, muscles, and ligaments with age can make them prone to arthritis and injury.
Foot fractures, ankle sprains, and other traumatic foot and ankle problems are often caused by sports injuries and car accidents. Slips, trips, and falls also lead to foot and ankle injuries.
Treatment for Foot & Ankle Conditions & Injuries at Dignity Health
Your treatment options depend on your medical history and your specific foot or ankle injury or condition. Many common foot conditions respond to an adjustment in footwear. This includes wearing properly fitting shoes that accommodate your foot concern and, using pads, orthotics, and shoe inserts to improve alignment and comfort.
Mild foot and ankle injuries may respond to anti-inflammatory medicines, as well as rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). For more severe injuries, your doctor at a Dignity Health Bay Area hospital may recommend corticosteroid shots or surgery. You may need to wear a boot or cast after foot or ankle surgery or to immobilize fractures.
In addition, physical therapy can prevent future problems and help your injury heal. Dignity Health offers physical therapy, rehabilitation, and sports medicine at each of our four Bay Area hospitals — Saint Francis Memorial Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center in San Francisco, Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, and Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz.
Determine the right treatment for you with the help of one of our experts. Call (866) 466-1401 to request doctor referral today.
Dignity Health’s orthopedic care team offers comprehensive care for foot and ankle problems in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Redwood City.
