Ankle

What causes ankle pain?

Your ankle consists of bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage, and when an injury affects any of these structures, ankle pain occurs.

The ankle is a critical and vulnerable joint. Injuries are frequently from a specific incident, such as falling, tripping, or playing sports, or from the wear and tear associated with repeated movement and overuse.

Acute ankle injuries that cause ankle pain include sprains, strains, tendon tears, and bone fractures. Common overuse injuries include ligament tears, tendonitis, and osteoarthritis.

How is ankle pain treated?

The cause of your ankle pain often determines the appropriate treatment. In mild cases of ankle pain, with minimal bruising and swelling, try an at-home RICE protocol:

• Rest your ankle by restricting weight and staying off of it
• Ice your ankle with cold packs to reduce swelling and minimize pain
• Compression bandages or wraps minimize inflammation and add stabilization to the ankle
• Elevate your ankle, so it rests above your heart

For more moderate ankle issues, your orthopedic foot and ankle doctor may recommend ultrasound injections or bracing with an ankle brace or ankle boot. They may also suggest regenerative medicine procedures, such as platelet-rich plasma and stem cell injections, to restore function and enhance your body’s natural healing process.

In severe cases, your foot specialist may suggest surgery. The team at Florida Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Center (FLOFAC) perform a variety of foot and ankle surgical procedures, from minimally invasive arthroplasty to total ankle replacements. They specialize in reconstructive and trauma surgeries and have a history of competently handling the most complex cases.

What is a total ankle replacement?

Dr. James Cottom, a foot and ankle surgeon at FLOFAC, offers many several different implant options.  We don't treat every ankle the exact same as they are all different.  Generally, we attempt to use an implant that removes as little bone as possible.   With a smaller implant than traditional ankle replacements, the Hintermann Series, Infinity and Cadence systems results in less bone loss, shorter procedure times, and less damage to the surrounding bone and tissue.

This innovative surgery lets Dr. Cotton use CT scans to guide ankle alignment. He is likely to recommend ankle replacement for advanced ankle arthritis to:

• Reduce pain
• Restore function
• Increase mobility

If you have ankle pain or are looking for an ankle surgeon, contact FLOFAC today. Call the office or go online to schedule your initial consultation.