Ankle and Foot Treatment
Your feet and ankles are the foundation of your daily life. They bear the weight of your body and help you move, work and play your favorite sports. Pain or injury in your feet can slow you down, make daily activities difficult and even take a toll on your well-being.
At Summit Orthopedics, we know how important your feet and ankles are. Our team of foot and ankle specialists in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area is experienced in diagnosing and treating a wide range of foot and ankle problems for all ages and activity levels.
From Noninvasive Approaches to Advanced Treatment
Surgery isn’t always the first choice for foot and ankle issues. Many conditions respond well to nonsurgical treatments, such as custom supportive devices and supportive shoes, injections and physical therapy.
Custom Supportive Devices
Orthotics are custom supportive devices that you put in your shoes to support and improve the function of your feet and ankles. They can help relieve pain and improve mobility for a range of conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Diabetes that impacts the foot
- Flat feet
- Plantar fasciitis
An orthopedic shoe, on the other hand, is medical footwear that offers increased support, additional cushioning and stability. These shoes are specifically designed to increase comfort for people with conditions like plantar fasciitis, bunions and flat feet.
Injections
Injections can be an effective treatment option for managing foot and ankle pain caused by conditions like arthritis, tendonitis or plantar fasciitis. These injections typically deliver medication, such as corticosteroids, directly to the affected area to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief.
Physical Therapy
Your doctor might recommend physical therapy to help with your pain or to strengthen your ankle after surgery. Our physical therapists will guide you through a variety of exercises at our facility. You can also do these exercises at home as part of your recovery.
Ankle Surgery
Ankle surgery treats conditions that affect the ankle joint, including the cartilage and bone. Foot and ankle surgeons at Summit Orthopedics are trained in ankle arthrodesis, ankle arthroscopy, microfracture ankle surgery, and total ankle replacement:
- Ankle arthrodesis (ankle fusion): This surgery connects bones to prevent movement in the ankle, and it is commonly used to treat ankle arthritis.
- Ankle arthroscopy: This surgery can remove small bone pieces in the ankle, treat arthritis and repair ligament tears. It uses a small camera and tools to repair damage.
- Microfracture surgery: This surgery fixes blistering cartilage layers, cysts and fractures on the bottom or top bone of your ankle.
- Total ankle replacement: This surgery replaces worn-out joints with functioning plastic and metal components.
Hindfoot and Midfoot Surgery
Surgeries in the hindfoot and midfoot often address arthritis in these areas. Hindfoot and midfoot surgery aims to connect small joints with screws and plates. This reduces movement and pain.
Ligament and Tendon Surgery
Ligament and tendon surgeries help return stability and function to your foot and ankle. There are various types of ligament and tendon surgery. These include procedures to fix tears in the tendon on the outer foot and the Achilles tendon, as well as procedures to address calf tightness that can lead to ankle issues.
Trauma Surgery
Trauma surgery treats sudden injuries, such as fractures and ruptures. Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) is one type of surgery that realigns bones with plates and screws. This method restores your normal ankle structure, improves function and lowers the chance of arthritis.
Orthopedic Care at Summit Orthopedics
Your care team strives to do more than treat your symptoms. Our goal is to diagnose the underlying cause of your condition, provide the best treatment and limit pain in the future.
Benefits of Surgery for Foot and Ankle Problems
- Pain relief: Surgery can offer long-term relief from chronic pain that other treatments can’t ease.
- Restore healthy foot function: Surgical procedures can fix deformities and stabilize joints. This helps you walk, stand, and enjoy your favorite activities again.
- Fix deformities: Bunions, hammertoes and flatfoot can hurt and restrict movement. Surgery can correct these problems effectively.
- Improved quality of life: Surgery targets the root causes of pain and mobility issues. This can greatly improve your quality of life, letting you return to work and hobbies without limits.
- Long-term relief: Many surgeries offer lasting solutions, unlike some treatments that only provide temporary relief. This helps avoid the need for ongoing care.
When to Seek Foot and Ankle Treatment
There are several reasons you might need treatment for your foot and ankle problems. Some people experience trauma, such as a fall or a sports-related injury. Others may develop pain or damage due to overuse or underlying medical conditions like arthritis.
You may require ankle treatment if you’re dealing with any of the following conditions:
- Ankle sprains
- Arthritis
- Fractures
- Hammer toes
- Morton’s neuromas
- Plantar fasciitis
- Traumatic injuries
Ankle and Foot Care at Summit Orthopedics
At Summit Orthopedics, we’re committed to delivering exceptional care that meets the highest standards. Your care and experience are our priorities. We’re here to help you through the treatment process, whether you’re beginning physical therapy, getting fitted for custom orthotics or preparing for surgery.
Summit Orthopedics surgeons are available at nearly 30 convenient locations across the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Our state-of-the-art, comprehensive orthopedic centers offer same-day appointments from a team of experts who offer the full scope of orthopedic care.
Find your Summit Orthopedics foot and ankle expert, request an appointment or call us at (651) 968-5201 to schedule a consultation.
