A sudden injury that causes immediate pain or discomfort in the foot must be treated differently than other foot and ankle conditions. A sprain or fracture as a result of overuse or landing too hard on the foot will need immediate intervention and podiatric treatment to prevent long-lasting effects. Our podiatrists are trained specifically in the major causes and remedies of foot trauma, and have the experience to apply the most effective treatments for each individual patient.

Advanced Relief for Fractures, Sports Injuries, and Other Foot Trauma

Sudden accidents, increased activity, and repetitive motion can all can place stress on the bones and ligaments in the lower leg, causing painful injuries to the feet and ankles. At Greater Washington Advanced Podiatry, we know that the best treatment for foot and ankle trauma doesn’t just address the current injury—it involves addressing any underlying problems that could create problems in the future. If you have suffered a foot or ankle injury, complete our contact form or call us at (301) 515-3338, and we'll be in touch with you shortly to set up your free initial consultation.

Although foot trauma is most common in athletes and children, anyone can potentially suffer injuries such as:

  • Stress fractures. Stress fractures are microscopic breaks in a bone that occur as a result of repetitive overuse. While these injuries can happen to any bone in the body, half of all stress fractures occur in the lower leg. Sometimes called hairline fractures, these breaks commonly occur in the metatarsal bones in the ball of the foot due to increased activity or a direct blow to the foot.
  • Ankle fractures. Ankle fractures are caused by sudden, unnatural pressure on the bones in the joint, such as a sharp blow or unnatural rotation or twisting. Patients may hear or feel a “pop” in the ankle at the time of the break, and the most common symptom is acute and immediate pain. Most patients are unable to walk or put weight on the affected foot, which may become bruised or swollen in the hours after the incident. Treatments for an ankle fracture depend on the type and location of the break, but can include surgery to pin broken bones, casting the foot or ankle, and physical therapy to rebuild strength and range of motion after healing.
  • Sprains. The bones in the ankle are held together by ligaments, strong, flexible tissues that make it possible to bend and stretch the foot. Sprains occur when the ligaments in the ankle joint become overstretched or torn, such as when a person “rolls” the ankle inward or outward. Inversion ankle sprains, when the ankle suddenly twists inward, may cause complications such as Cuboid syndrome.
  • Cuboid syndrome. Pain on the lateral (little toe) side of the foot may be caused by Cuboid syndrome, a partial dislocation of the bones in the middle of the foot. The Cuboid bone is one of the seven tarsal bones in the foot, and may be dislocated due to overuse of the foot and ankle joints. Symptoms include pain at the base of the fourth and fifth toes, difficulty walking, and inability to put weight on the affected foot.
  • Sports injuries. The feet and ankles are at risk of a wide variety of injuries during exercise or while participating in a sport. Children are particularly at risk for these types of injuries, but adults are likely to incur sports injuries if they play contact sports, don’t warm up properly before exercise, or start a new exercise program after a long period of inactivity. Sports such as football, soccer, running, and distance jumping are particularly hard on the feet and ankles, and can result in anything from painful midfoot and toe injuries to dislocations.

Our Maryland podiatrists have offices in Germantown and Silver Spring, and our West Virginia podiatrists have an office in Greenbrier, making it convenient for our patients to get the help they need as quickly and painlessly as possible. Call our office today at (301) 515-3338 or fill out our contact form to get learn more about our interventions and treatments.