Foot And Ankle Trauma Specialist

Michigan Foot & Ankle Institute, PC

Podiatrists & Foot and Ankle Surgeons located in Clinton Township, MI

Foot and ankle trauma are among the most common reasons to seek podiatric care. If you experience a sports injury, workplace accident, or another kind of foot and ankle trauma, it’s important to get off your foot and seek evaluation immediately. At Michigan Foot & Ankle Institute, PC, with two locations in Clinton Township, Michigan, foot and ankle trauma experts Edmund Kowalchick, DPM, and Stacey Miller, DPM, can skillfully assess your injury and prescribe the best healing protocols right away. Call the office or use the online scheduling tool to get help today.

Foot and Ankle Trauma Q & A

What are the signs of foot and ankle trauma?

Foot and ankle trauma typically causes immediate symptoms, such as:

Pain
Stiffness
Swelling
Bruising
Restricted range-of-motion
Difficulty bearing weight

Instability is another common problem with foot and ankle trauma. This simply means that your ligaments, muscles, tendons, and other tissues are weak from your injury, so they can’t work normally to support your weight when you stand or walk. This may lead to your ankle giving out or your foot feeling too weak to stand.

How does foot and ankle trauma happen?

Foot and ankle trauma can happen in several ways. Sports accidents, like losing your footing after an unexpected tackle or pivoting too forcefully, are a common cause. Foot and ankle trauma can also happen in your home, as with a trip-and-fall accident, or when you’re out, for example, when you step down onto uneven ground.

Repetitive motion injuries, which include injuries caused by prolonged stress, can lead to trauma in your foot and ankle issues, so they're also sometimes classified as foot and ankle trauma. One example of a repetitive motion injury is a stress fracture, in which your bone develops small cracks over time.

How does foot and ankle trauma diagnosis work?

At Michigan Foot & Ankle Institute, PC, your podiatrist immediately performs a thorough exam of your foot and ankle. They form a preliminary diagnosis at that time and then typically confirm that diagnosis with imaging.

X-rays confirm bone fractures, and you might need other types of imaging like MRI to confirm soft tissue damage.

What is the best treatment for foot and ankle trauma?

Foot and ankle trauma can range from fairly mild injuries to severe mobility threatening problems, so treatment plans can vary widely as well. Your podiatrist customizes a trauma recovery plan for you, which may include:

Modified activities
Custom orthotics
Anti-inflammatory medication
Immobilization (e.g., splinting, bracing, or casting for fractures)
Corticosteroid injections
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy
Physical therapy

If you have severe foot or ankle trauma, such as a complex bone fracture or tendon rupture, you might need surgery.

The Michigan Foot & Ankle Institute, PC, podiatrists expertly perform minimally invasive techniques, including endoscopy and arthroscopy, to repair the damage so you can make a full recovery.

Part of your foot and ankle trauma treatment involves preventive care. Your podiatrist can help you make small changes that have big benefits — like avoiding similar trauma in the future.

Book your appointment by calling the nearest Michigan Foot & Ankle Institute, PC, office, or using the online booking tool today.

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