Ankle and Foot Injuries in Buffalo, NY

You have likely heard some horror stories from people who have suffered from ankle or foot injuries. First, they had to deal with pain and range of motion issues, and then, when they finally received medical care, it was a nightmare. They had to go from general practitioners to specialists and then to hospitals. It was time-consuming, was stressful, and made recovery difficult.

What if you could get all the care you needed in one comfortable place? What if you found a office that takes a multifaceted approach to treating ankle and foot injuries and makes you feel better than you did before you were injured?

Medical Care of Western New York at Buffalo is that place. Our treatment options are the least-invasive possible while providing you with the care you need. Get on the path to recovery with our help at Medical Care of WNY, where healing happens!

What Are Some Types of Ankle and Foot Injuries?

Our treatment team sees an assortment of ankle and foot injuries, but they all fit into one of two categories. Our patients have acute or overuse injuries.

Acute injuries refer to injuries that come on suddenly. These injuries are often caused by direct blows, falls, twisting, bending, or penetration. Many of our patients report sudden and severe pain, and they might have other symptoms, such as bruising and swelling. Because the pain can be intense, we recommend coming in for treatment immediately. We accept walk-ins and will work to alleviate your pain quickly, diagnose the injury, and create a treatment plan so you can begin the recovery process.

Common acute injuries are:

  • Bruises
  • Puncture wounds
  • Ligament and tendon injuries
  • Sprains
  • Strains
  • Fractures
  • Dislocations
  • Crushing injuries

Some of our patients come to our newly renovated office due to overuse injuries. Joints and tissues are only meant to support so much stress. If you repeat the same activity over and over again, this can put undue stress on the ankles and feet, leading to an overuse injury.

Common overuse injuries include:

  • Bursitis
  • Tendonitis
  • Stress fractures
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Metatarsalgia

While we see patients with all of these ankle and foot injuries, tendonitis, tendon tears, plantar fasciitis, and ankle sprains are the most common.

What Is Tendonitis?

Your feet and ankles have tough bands of tissue called tendons. The tendons are responsible for attaching your muscles to your bones. If the tissue becomes inflamed or irritated, you will be diagnosed with tendonitis.

Tendonitis is commonly caused by repeating the same motions over and over again. You can also get tendonitis if you injure the tendon. Also, people with flat feet often get tendonitis.

Some of your tendons are more likely to get tendonitis than others. Many of our patients have tendonitis in the Achilles tendon. This tendon is located on the back of your heel and attaches to the heel and the calf muscle.

Tendonitis in the posterior tibial tendon is also common. This tendon connects the inside of the foot to the calf muscle.

Finally, many of our patients have tendonitis in the peroneal tendon. This tendon attaches the outside of the foot to the calm muscle.

If you have tendonitis, you know how uncomfortable it can be. Your foot or ankle likely aches and you experience pain on the back or inside of your ankle. You might even notice a snapping sensation in your ankle.

When you come to our office, we will conduct a diagnostic imaging test to determine if you have foot or ankle tendonitis. We have everything you need for treatment at our traditional medical office, including physical therapy, state of the art equipment, and hands-on mobilization techniques.

What Are Tendon Tears?

Tendon tears can be acute or overuse injuries. Many people tear a tendon from engaging in repetitive motions, but it is also common to tear the band of tissue due to an injury. While any tendon can tear, the Achilles, peroneal, and posterior tibial tendons are the most susceptible to tendonitis.

These ankle and foot injuries can be very painful. You will likely notice the pain gets worse any time you try to bear weight or move the foot. Swelling and redness are also common, and your foot might become weak and lose function.

When you visit our office, we will examine the foot and ankle and order the necessary tests. It’s possible to have broken bones and other issues with a tendon tear, so a proper examination is needed. Then you will begin treatment. Your treatment will likely conclude with physical therapy, where you will regain the strength and range of motion in your foot and ankle.

What Is Plantar Fasciitis?

The plantar fascia is the name for the ligament that is located along the bottom of your foot. The ligament connects the front of your foot and the heel and supports the arch. It absorbs stress, but like other ligaments, it can only withstand so much. If it takes on too much pressure, the ligament can tear or sustain other damage. This leads to inflammation, which makes the heel stiff and painful. The pain is often the strongest right after getting out of bed or after long periods of sitting.

Athletes are extremely susceptible to this injury because they engage in repetitive activities. You can also increase the risk of plantar fasciitis if you take on a new activity or increase the duration of a current activity. In addition, if you have tight calf muscles, have a high arch, or are obese, you are at a greater risk for this.

If you do have plantar fasciitis, there are lots of non-surgical treatment options available. Medications, stretches, supportive shoes, and physical therapy are all viable options. Our team will design a treatment protocol to address your specific situation.

What Is An Ankle Sprain?

Your ankle is supported by strong ligaments. These ligaments stabilize your ankle and keep it in place when you move. Sprains occur when the ligaments are stretched and tear. This usually happens when you twist your foot. You might twist it while walking on an uneven surface or falling. It’s also common during sporting activities.

Swelling, bruising, tenderness, pain, and instability are all symptoms of an ankle sprain. While some people try to deal with the symptoms and wait for it to heal on its own, that’s actually a mistake. Failure to get treatment can actually cause the ankle to weaken, making you more susceptible to ankle sprains in the future.

When you visit our office, you will undergo an examination, and the doctor will grade your sprain. Grade 1 is a mild sprain, grade 2 is a moderate sprain, and grade 3 is a severe sprain. Then, you will begin treatment to restore the range of motion and strengthen the ligament.

Schedule an Appointment at Medical Care of WNY Today

Ankle and foot injuries aren’t just a pain to deal with. They can be dangerous if you don’t seek treatment. Our full-service office provides all the tools you need to get proper care and diagnosis. We accept no-fault and workers’ compensation claims, we remove the barrier to care that many people face.

Contact us today for an appointment or drop in. Walk-ins are welcome, so now is an excellent time to seek treatment for your ankle and foot injuries.

Watch our videos to learn more!