Foot and Ankle Institute

Your foot has 26 bones and 33 joints, and your ankle joint has three bones. Throughout both your foot and ankle, you have numerous ligaments, tendons, nerves and muscles. This means there are many opportunities for something to go wrong and cause a health issue. 

Common foot and ankle conditions that we treat at Dignity Health include:

Our orthopedic team is specialized in treating a range of foot and ankle conditions and injuries in Arizona. To learn more about your foot and ankle treatment options, use our online Find a Doctor to schedule a consultation. We offer specialized care for adolescents to seniors — from diagnosis to treatment to rehabilitation.

 

Symptoms of Common Foot & Ankle Conditions & Injuries

The signs and symptoms of your foot or ankle issue will depend on the specific problem. Foot or ankle pain is a common symptom. It can be acute or chronic, dull or sharp, and may worsen with activity or when wearing shoes. Other symptoms may include swelling, numbness, redness, bruising, and changes in the appearance of a toe or other part of the foot.

Your care team at Dignity Health will consider your symptoms when diagnosing the cause of your foot problem, and will then create a customized treatment plan.

 

Causes of Foot & Ankle Conditions & Injuries

Car accidents and sports injuries are often responsible for traumatic foot and ankle problems such as foot fractures and ankle sprains. Slips, trips, and falls may also lead to foot and ankle injuries.

Aging and the wear and tear of joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles can make your feet and ankles prone to arthritis and injury. Wearing shoes that don’t fit properly is a common cause of problems such as bunions, corns, and calluses. Improperly fitting shoes can also aggravate other foot and ankle conditions.

 

Foot & Ankle Condition & Injury Treatment in Arizona

Your treatment options at Dignity Health will depend on your specific problem and your medical history. Many common foot problems can be solved by adjusting your footwear. If that doesn’t help, your foot and ankle injury may respond to rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) and anti-inflammatory medicines. Sometimes, doctors recommend corticosteroid shots or surgery. Wearing a cast or boot may be necessary for fractures and following surgery. Physical therapy can help your injury heal and prevent future problems.

You can trust your complete care every step of the way with our board-certified orthopedic specialists, who can help you get back to the life and activities that you love.

Dignity Health provides diagnosis and treatment options for foot and ankle conditions and injuries in Arizona.

Explore Your Treatment Options for Foot & Ankle Surgery in Arizona

Foot and ankle surgery is performed at Dignity Health by skilled orthopedic surgeons. A podiatrist (foot doctor) may recommend foot surgery to treat an injury or ongoing condition that hasn’t responded to noninvasive treatment and therapy.

 

Why Foot & Ankle Surgery is Performed

There are many bones and tendons that make up the structures of your foot and ankle. When one or more of these is damaged or injured, it can cause pain and limit movement, making it difficult or impossible to walk without assistance. 

Doctors at Dignity Health can repair injuries and heal chronic conditions through the following types of foot surgery in Arizona:

  • Achilles tendon surgery: Repairing or rerouting a tendon to improve foot movement
  • Ankle replacement surgery: Replacing damaged ankle joint bones and cartilage
  • Bunion surgery: Realigning the big toe joint and alleviating pain
  • Plantar fascia release: Relieves discomfort caused by plantar fasciitis
  • Neuroma surgery: Reduces pain due to thickened tissue around a nerve
  • Hammertoe surgery: Straightens the toe and relieves pain
  • Fusion surgery: Joins bones together permanently and relieves arthritis pain
  • Metatarsal surgery: Repairs a dislocated or deformed toe

If you would like to learn more about foot and ankle surgery in Arizona, speak with a provider at Dignity Health. For the orthopedic services you need, Find a Doctor near you today.

 

What to Expect at Dignity Health

In most cases, foot surgery will be an outpatient procedure, allowing you to go home the same day of your procedure. You’ll be given general anesthesia so you won’t feel any discomfort during surgery. Once the procedure is complete, a boot or cast may be needed to help stabilize your foot while it heals. 

 

Recovery After Foot & Ankle Surgery

Your provider may also suggest physical therapy to help your foot recover properly. Your physical therapist or your doctor will give you certain exercises you can do at home. Post-surgical care may include rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Depending on your surgery, you may have special care for bandages, dressings, staples, or stitches. 

A full recovery can take several days or months, depending on your age, overall health, and specific procedure. 

At Dignity Health, the goals of surgery focus on relieving pain and improving flexibility in the ankle or foot. Your doctor will provide you with special instructions that explain when it will be safe to resume normal activities. 

Dignity Health offers excellence in care for foot and ankle surgery in Arizona, as part of our orthopedic services.

 

Learn More

To learn more about orthopedics At Mercy Gilbert or to find an orthopedic surgeon at Mercy Gilbert, please call (480) 728-5414, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m