Your feet and ankles have a big job. They make it possible for you to move
from place to place. They allow you to stand, and they work as shock absorbers
when you step, whether walking, running, or jumping. When you have foot
or ankle problems, those can, in turn, create problems for your back,
neck, and shoulders.
When issues arise, the foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons at Pomona Valley
Hospital Medical Center offer a wide spectrum of the most advanced and
specialized treatments. These small but mighty parts of your anatomy need
special care so you can function at the highest levels.
Together, the foot consists of 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments and 19
muscles—and all of those may require a skilled and experienced specialist
if you’re experiencing pain or discomfort that isn’t “normal”
in bones, soft tissues, or joints.
Assessing Your Foot and Ankle
No matter your age or level of fitness, our orthopedic surgeons welcome
the opportunity to develop a personalized treatment plan for your foot
and ankle problem.
In addition to taking your medical history, your orthopedic surgeon may
look at your foot or ankle and observe:
Gait
Range of motion
Any limping
Turning
Height of your steps
Misalignment of toe or heel
Your doctor may also palpate or feel your foot or ankle, looking for movements
such as flexion, and may decide to do the following diagnostic imaging
tests to learn more about what’s causing your problem.
X-ray
Computerized tomography or CT scan
Ultrasound
Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI
Fluoroscopy
Experts in Nonsurgical Care Options
Just because this specialty has “surgeon” in its title doesn’t
mean that your problem will ultimately require surgery. Our foot and ankle
surgeons will suggest appropriate nonsurgical options first, before discussing
surgery. Our goal is to provide you with a comprehensive treatment plan
that helps relieve symptoms and ensures you retain maximum function of
your foot and ankle.
Our doctors can offer:
Ice or cryotherapy
Rest or modification of activities
Splinting or immobilization: These restrict movement that allows you to heal faster.
Over-the-counter pain relievers: Those most often used include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
such as naproxen or ibuprofen. Acetaminophen can ease pain but not inflammation.
Corticosteroids: These may be injected into the foot and ankle to provide temporary pain
relief and reduce swelling but are not always successful. Injections are
usually limited to four times annually.
Physical therapy: Committing to a program and following directions may increase shoulder
and elbow range of motion and flexibility and diminish pain.
Platelet-rich plasma: This injection is made from your blood cells called platelets, that contain
growth factors to help injured tissue heal faster. The blood is taken
from your arm.
Footwear: You’ll get help with obtaining correct orthotics, braces, and casts.
Symptoms and Conditions We Treat
Our foot and ankle surgeons treat these symptoms and conditions, and more:
Achilles injuries
Ankle ligament injury
Ankle pain
Arthritis of the foot and ankle
Bunions, also known as hallux valgus
Clubfoot and residual deformity
Diabetic and geriatric foot problems
Flat foot
Foot pain
Fractures to the foot and ankle
Hallux rigidus
Hammer toe
High arches
Heel pain
Nail conditions
Neuromas
Osteochondritis
Plantar fasciitis
Sports injuries
What’s Making Your Foot or Ankle Uncomfortable?
Maybe you’re experiencing:
An injury, such as a broken toe or ankle sprain
Other pain or discomfort, such as morning heel pain
A growth that doesn’t “look right” or another visible change
A medical condition, including arthritis or diabetes
Discomfort due to overuse, or poorly fitting shoes
Sprain
Tendon injury
Trauma
Nonsurgical Treatments for Foot and Ankle Conditions
First, know that surgery is not always the first method of treatment for
foot and ankle problems. Your orthopedic surgeon may first recommend:
Over-the-counter pain relievers: Those most often used include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
such as naproxen or ibuprofen. Acetaminophen can ease pain but not inflammation.
Corticosteroids: These may be injected into the foot or ankle joints to provide temporary
pain relief and reduce swelling, but these are not always successful.
Injections are usually limited to four times annually.
Platelet-rich plasma: This injection is made from your blood cells called platelets, that contain
growth factors to help injured tissue heal faster. The blood is taken
from your arm.
Physical therapy: Committing to a program and following directions may increase foot and
ankle range of motion and flexibility and diminish pain.
Custom footwear and bracing: These products can realign your feet and ankles to achieve better support,
stability, and balance.
Foot and Ankle Surgeries We Offer
Arthroscopy
Achilles repair
Ankle fusion
Ankle ligament repair and reconstruction
Fifth metatarsal or Jones fracture fixation
Lisfranc fracture repair
Percutaneous fracture fixation
Foot fusion
Minimally Invasive Surgery
If your surgeon performs a minimally invasive procedure, that means less
of the tissue in the foot and ankle will be cut, using smaller incisions
that disturb less of that tissue. Your surgeon will determine if you are
a suitable candidate for this type of procedure, which provides you these
advantages:
Shorter recovery time
Less postoperative pain
Less trauma to the tissues around your joint
Less scarring and less blood loss
Quicker rehabilitation
After Your Surgery
When you choose the expert foot and ankle care at the Orthopedic Institute
at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, you can be sure you’re
seeing foot and ankle surgeons with extensive experience and a real desire
to help you. That means the highest quality comprehensive care for you—and
your foot and ankle.
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