FOOT AND ANKLE CARE AT THE ORTHOPEDIC INSTITUTE
AT POMONA VALLEY HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER
Your feet and ankles have a big job. They make it possible for you to move from place to place. They allow you to stand, and they work as shock absorbers when you step, whether walking, running, or jumping. When you have foot or ankle problems, those can, in turn, create problems for your back, neck, and shoulders.
When issues arise, the foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center offer a wide spectrum of the most advanced and specialized treatments. These small but mighty parts of your anatomy need special care so you can function at the highest levels.
Together, the foot consists of 26 bones, 33 joints, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles—and all of those may require a skilled and experienced specialist if you’re experiencing pain or discomfort that isn’t “normal” in bones, soft tissues, or joints.
Assessing Your Foot and Ankle
No matter your age or level of fitness, our orthopedic surgeons welcome the opportunity to develop a personalized treatment plan for your foot and ankle problem.
In addition to taking your medical history, your orthopedic surgeon may look at your foot or ankle and observe:
- Gait
- Range of motion
- Any limping
- Turning
- Height of your steps
- Misalignment of toe or heel
Your doctor may also palpate or feel your foot or ankle, looking for movements such as flexion, and may decide to do the following diagnostic imaging tests to learn more about what’s causing your problem.
- X-ray
- Computerized tomography or CT scan
- Ultrasound
- Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI
- Fluoroscopy
Experts in Nonsurgical Care Options
Just because this specialty has “surgeon” in its title doesn’t mean that your problem will ultimately require surgery. Our foot and ankle surgeons will suggest appropriate nonsurgical options first, before discussing surgery. Our goal is to provide you with a comprehensive treatment plan that helps relieve symptoms and ensures you retain maximum function of your foot and ankle.
Our doctors can offer:
- Ice or cryotherapy
- Rest or modification of activities
- Splinting or immobilization: These restrict movement that allows you to heal faster.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Those most often used include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen or ibuprofen. Acetaminophen can ease pain but not inflammation.
- Corticosteroids: These may be injected into the foot and ankle to provide temporary pain relief and reduce swelling but are not always successful. Injections are usually limited to four times annually.
- Physical therapy: Committing to a program and following directions may increase shoulder and elbow range of motion and flexibility and diminish pain.
- Platelet-rich plasma: This injection is made from your blood cells called platelets, that contain growth factors to help injured tissue heal faster. The blood is taken from your arm.
- Footwear: You’ll get help with obtaining correct orthotics, braces, and casts.
Symptoms and Conditions We Treat
Our foot and ankle surgeons treat these symptoms and conditions, and more:
- Achilles injuries
- Ankle ligament injury
- Ankle pain
- Arthritis of the foot and ankle
- Bunions, also known as hallux valgus
- Clubfoot and residual deformity
- Diabetic and geriatric foot problems
- Flat foot
- Foot pain
- Fractures to the foot and ankle
- Hallux rigidus
- Hammer toe
- High arches
- Heel pain
- Nail conditions
- Neuromas
- Osteochondritis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Sports injuries
What’s Making Your Foot or Ankle Uncomfortable?
Maybe you’re experiencing:
- An injury, such as a broken toe or ankle sprain
- Other pain or discomfort, such as morning heel pain
- A growth that doesn’t “look right” or another visible change
- A medical condition, including arthritis or diabetes
- Discomfort due to overuse, or poorly fitting shoes
- Sprain
- Tendon injury
- Trauma
Nonsurgical Treatments for Foot and Ankle Conditions
First, know that surgery is not always the first method of treatment for foot and ankle problems. Your orthopedic surgeon may first recommend:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Those most often used include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen or ibuprofen. Acetaminophen can ease pain but not inflammation.
- Corticosteroids: These may be injected into the foot or ankle joints to provide temporary pain relief and reduce swelling, but these are not always successful. Injections are usually limited to four times annually.
- Platelet-rich plasma: This injection is made from your blood cells called platelets, that contain growth factors to help injured tissue heal faster. The blood is taken from your arm.
- Physical therapy: Committing to a program and following directions may increase foot and ankle range of motion and flexibility and diminish pain.
- Custom footwear and bracing: These products can realign your feet and ankles to achieve better support, stability, and balance.
Foot and Ankle Surgeries We Offer
- Arthroscopy
- Achilles repair
- Ankle fusion
- Ankle ligament repair and reconstruction
- Fifth metatarsal or Jones fracture fixation
- Lisfranc fracture repair
- Percutaneous fracture fixation
- Foot fusion
Minimally Invasive Surgery
If your surgeon performs a minimally invasive procedure, that means less of the tissue in the foot and ankle will be cut, using smaller incisions that disturb less of that tissue. Your surgeon will determine if you are a suitable candidate for this type of procedure, which provides you these advantages:
- Shorter recovery time
- Less postoperative pain
- Less trauma to the tissues around your joint
- Less scarring and less blood loss
- Quicker rehabilitation
After Your Surgery
When you choose the expert foot and ankle care at the Orthopedic Institute at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, you can be sure you’re seeing foot and ankle surgeons with extensive experience and a real desire to help you. That means the highest quality comprehensive care for you—and your foot and ankle.
