Traumatic Injury
Foot and ankle trauma is a core part of what we treat. These injuries don't always mean a trip to the emergency room, and we can often evaluate and treat them right here in the clinic.
DPM, FACFAS
What is a Traumatic Injury?
A traumatic injury to the foot or ankle is caused by sudden force, like falls, twists on uneven trails, crush injuries, sports collisions, and vehicle or workplace accidents. A traumatic injury can include fractures, tendon and ligament ruptures, dislocations, and soft tissue damage, and often involves more than one at a time.
The foot contains 26 bones and dozens of joints working together, so a single traumatic injury can disrupt several structures at once. The sooner an injury is evaluated, the better the outcome tends to be.
Symptoms
Depending upon the force of the injury and the structures involved, symptoms can range from mild soreness to an inability to walk. In more significant cases, some symptoms of a traumatic foot or ankle injury can include:
- Sudden and intense pain
- Swelling and bruising
- Difficulty bearing weight
- Visible deformity or a joint that looks out of place
- Numbness, coldness, or color change in the foot or toes
What are the causes of Traumatic Injuries?
Traumatic foot and ankle injuries can result from falls, twisting injuries during sports or on uneven ground, heavy objects dropped or rolled onto the foot, and crush injuries from equipment or vehicles.
Not every serious injury comes from a dramatic accident. Some of the most significant, including midfoot (Lisfranc) fracture-dislocations, can result from something as simple as a misstep on the stairs or a stumble on the trail.
Treatment Options
Traumatic injuries are frequently mistaken for simple sprains, and a delayed diagnosis can lead to worsening problems down the road. Evaluation typically includes X-rays. Our practice provides complete foot and ankle trauma care, whether your injury needs an urgent response or a long-term solution. We offer everything from conservative treatment, including immobilization, protected weight bearing, and physical therapy, to advanced limb-salvaging surgery, a complex procedure performed by only a few surgeons in Alaska.
If you have injured your foot or ankle, our Walk-In Clinic can often evaluate your injury the day it happens.
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