Scottsdale, Arizona, is known for many things, but one of the most beloved uses of this city is as a hotspot for foot and ankle injury treatment. Scottsdale is home to major hospitals and clinics, many of which specialize in treating orthopedic injuries. Scottsdale foot and ankle trauma specialists help treat various conditions and injuries. They will use multiple treatments for the trauma, including:
Splinting or Casting
Splinting is the process of immobilizing the foot and ankle with something like a brace or cast, which is used for fractures, sprains, or joints that are out of place. Splints are used to limit the foot’s motion on the leg, so severe injuries can heal independently. Splints can also be used during recovery from surgery.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is vital to your recovery if you suffer a foot or ankle trauma. PT will help you get back on your feet and move again after a long period of immobility from surgery or a cast. This type of therapy enables you to strengthen the muscles around the injured area and build balance to prevent re-injury. Physical therapy can also be helpful for people who have post-traumatic arthritis, which is a chronic condition that occurs when your foot and ankle suffer from trauma or injury. It causes the cartilage in these areas to break down, leading to inflammation and pain.
Medications
In many cases, foot and ankle trauma can cause swelling, which leads to inflammation. In this case, doctors sometimes prescribe anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen or naproxen, which is an option for mild pain. Still, it doesn’t help with arthritis that occurs after surgeries on the bones of your feet and ankles. Most foot and ankle trauma cases involve sprains, fractures, or ligament tears.
Foot and Ankle Reconstruction
Suppose you have recently injured your foot or ankle, whether a break, fracture, sprain, or other injuries, treatment may include surgery to correct the damage. Whether this will consist of pins, plates or screws depends on several factors, including where the break occurred (top of foot vs. midfoot vs ankle), how severe the break is (complete vs. hairline fracture) and whether other injuries are present (such as ligament tears or fractures).
Ankle Replacement Surgery
Doctors might consider other treatments for severely damaged feet and ankles when surgical treatment isn’t an option. Ankle replacement surgery can help relieve pain, correct bone structure problems, and improve your ability to walk without pain. Foot replacement surgery, also known as toe-to-hip or hindfoot fusion, can be used for severe foot deformities such as bunions, hammertoe, and overlapping toes.
If you need foot and ankle trauma surgery, Scottsdale orthopedic surgeons are ready with highly skilled staff and state-of-the-art technology to quickly and safely treat your injury.
Well-trained Scottsdale foot and ankle trauma specialists will work with you to find the best treatment option for your injury. Depending on the severity of your injury, treatment can range from immobilizing your foot and ankle to rapid recovery where you are back on your feet in a few days.
