Our specialty-trained ankle doctors at North Louisiana Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Clinic are experts in providing experienced care for patients’ ankle injuries and conditions.

When you think of a common injury that ankle doctors treat, one of the first that may come to mind is a sprained ankle. While it’s true that ankle doctors frequently treat ankle sprains, there is a wide range of issues that ankle doctors see, all of which are unique and require specialized care.

For instance, when ankle doctors treat an ankle fracture, they examine the ankle to see if it is unstable. If so, surgery may be required, but if not, a splint or brace may be all that is needed. In contrast, ankle specialists may recommend a different course of care for patients with arthritis, such as a cortisone injection or wearing custom shoe inserts. Another type of injury ankle doctors often treat is Achilles tendon injuries in athletes. With these injuries, ankle doctors may suggest that the patient rest, ice, and elevate the foot and ankle. If this doesn’t help, the doctor may order an X-ray so they can further examine the injury and offer new treatment options.

Regardless of the type of ankle pain, it’s important to see a medical doctor who specializes in the care of the ankle for the best outcomes.

When It’s Time to Seek Ankle Care

Take note of the symptoms you are experiencing and communicate those to your doctor so they will have a better understanding of what may be happening. Here are just some of the symptoms that people with ankle problems typically have:

• Ankle swells painfully and looks misshapen
• Compared to the healthy ankle, the affected ankle looks larger
• Flexing or pointing the toes results in pain
• Pain seems to be getting worse versus better
• Rotating the ankle is nearly impossible
• Walking abnormally, which affects your gait
• When walking, the ankle often gives way unexpectedly

If any of these symptoms describe your issue, it’s possible that you may have one of these ankle conditions or injuries:

• Achilles tendon damage
• Alignment problems
• Arthritis
• Bone cracks or stress fractures
• Bone fractures
• Cartilage deterioration
• Deformity
• Inversion sprains
• Lateral ligament tears
• Osteophytes
• Posterior impingement
• Twisted ankle

Ankle pain can have a negative effect on your life, leaving you unable to complete everyday tasks. If the pain and underlying condition remain untreated, there is a risk of further injury or damage occurring, which is why it’s imperative to contact one of our ankle specialists and set up a consultation.