Foot and Ankle Trauma Louisville, KY | Podiatrist Louisville, KY | Foot and Ankle Surgery
Foot and ankle trauma are extremely common, no matter how young or old you are! Fractures, torn ligaments and tendons, sprains & strains, puncture wounds, and toe trauma occur every day. Our Foot and Ankle Specialists in Louisville, KY are here to help put you back together so you can recover as fast as possible. It is a mistake to avoid the podiatrist's office after an accident or injury. Many people walk into our office on broken bones or torn tendons without even realizing how serious the problem is! Long term foot and ankle pain is often related to ignored trauma, so it is much better to make an appointment or contact us to avoid lifelong pain! Walk-in emergency rooms and urgent cares often miss fractures and tendon injuries, so it is always a good bet to visit our Podiatrists in Louisville, KY at New Horizons Foot and Ankle Associates.
Common Traumatic Foot and Ankle Conditions
Stress Fractures: Stress fractures are hairline fractures in a bone, typically caused by repeated stress on a bone over a period of time. Stress fractures can happen to anyone, whether you are an athlete or not! Having a stress fracture gives you the perfect excuse to rest rather than try to work through the pain. In fact, trying to work through the pain can downright convert your hairline fracture into a full-blown fracture! Play it smart, listen to your body, and have your foot evaluated!
Ankle Fractures: A fracture or break in the bones of the ankle joint can range from a small chip off the bone to a major dislocation with shattering of the bones. This commonly occurs with an injury where the ankle rolls. This can be mistaken for an ankle sprain but it is very different and requires immediate treatment for the best possible outcome. Treatment can range from immobilization, in a cast or boot, up to surgery in severe cases.
Metatarsal Fractures: Metatarsal fractures can be very obvious, or they can be as subtle as pain in your foot that has been present for weeks. Patients who have abnormal biomechanics, are older, and have osteopenia or osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones) are more susceptible to fractures. Traumatic fractures usually result from a fall, direct blow, or a twisting injury. Non-displaced fractures are usually treated with rest and immobilization with a cast, while displaced fractures often require surgery.
Achilles Tendon Ruptures: Achilles tendon ruptures can happen to anyone, from competitive athletes or Weekend Warriors. Many people describe the feeling of an Achilles tendon rupture as the feeling of being hit in the back of the leg with a baseball bat. Unfortunately this injury almost always requires surgery, and the sooner you get treatment the better!
Puncture Wounds: Proper treatment of puncture wounds in the feet should start with prevention! Never walk barefoot - especially outside or in your garage where loose objects seem to show up! Foreign object embedded in a puncture wound are extremely common, including debris from the object itself, dirt, grass, or even your own skin. If you have a large wound, don't try to remove the object and go to the emergency room immediately. It is important to seek treatment for a puncture wound to avoid infections and other complications. We are available for emergency appointments as scheduling permits, as we know the wait time in the ED can be long. Call our Podiatrists in Louisville, KY at New Horizons Foot and Ankle Associates today!
