A sprain or soft tissue injury to one of your feet or ankles usually involves a pull, stretch, or tear to the ligaments that connect your bones to each other, and if you fracture one of them you have a broken bone. Nina Coletta, DPM, PA in Plantation, Florida, can help if you have difficulty walking, are in pain, or your foot or ankle is swollen or bruised. For expert treatment of foot and ankle fracture and sprains by one of Broward County’s leading podiatrists, call Dr. Coletta’s office or use online booking to schedule an appointment today.
The most common causes of foot and ankle fractures and sprains include injuries suffered as a result of:
When you see Dr. Coletta for your foot or ankle injury, she begins your physical exam by checking for points of tenderness in the affected area. The exact location of your pain helps her determine its cause.
To check the range of motion in your foot and ankle, Dr. Coletta moves your foot in different positions. She may also ask you to walk for a short distance to examine your gait.
Dr. Coletta utilizes specific imaging tests as well to help determine if your injury is a fracture or sprain, including:
Dr. Coletta may additionally recommend bone scans if she suspects osteoporosis is behind your injury.
When you first injure your foot or ankle, it’s best to treat it following the RICE protocol until you can see Dr. Coletta:
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications help decrease pain, swelling, and inflammation.
After reaching a diagnosis, the treatment Dr. Coletta recommends depends on the specifics of your injury:
If there’s a break in your foot or ankle, Dr. Coletta first attempts to line up the broken ends of your bone, so it heals properly. If this is not successful, she then suggests surgery and uses metal plates and screws to fix your broken bones.
Dr. Coletta treats both stress fractures and sprains with rest and immobilization. She instructs you to stay off the affected area as much as possible while it heals and provides crutches or a therapeutic “boot” to help keep your foot and ankle from moving.
To learn more, call Dr. Coletta’s office or use online booking to schedule an appointment today.
