Foot and Ankle Pain and Injury

Multidisciplinary Team to Diagnose and Treat Foot and Ankle Pain and Injury

Loyola Medicine’s foot and ankle team includes orthopaedic surgeons who specialize in foot and ankle surgery, highly trained podiatrists, pediatric specialists and physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists. These doctors work together as an integrated team to provide treatment for every source of foot and ankle pain and injuryto get you back to enjoying your regular activities.

Our team treats the most common to the most complex cases and is active in clinical medical research, helping improve foot and ankle care for all patients. Loyola’s pediatric orthopaedic specialists also treat injuries and congenital problems in children and adolescents.

Choosing the Right Specialist for Your Foot or Ankle Condition

Though orthopaedic surgeons and podiatrists treat many of the same conditions, they have received slightly different training. Orthopaedic surgeons treat all bones, joints and soft tissues in the body, while podiatrists are specially trained in the treatment of the foot and ankle.

In addition, podiatrists often treat foot problems such as ingrown toenails, calluses, fallen arches, heel spurs and problems related to abuse or injury.

Podiatrists may use surgical methods as treatment for the foot or ankle, as well as help manage ongoing foot conditions related to diabetes and other systemic illnesses.

Orthopaedic surgeons also perform surgical reconstructions and surgery for complex traumas and fractures throughout the body.

What Conditions Does Loyola Treat?

Foot and ankle problems can disrupt your life and keep you from your daily activities. Loyola treats the entire range of foot and ankle conditions, including:

How Is Foot and Ankle Pain and Injury Diagnosed?

Your Loyola doctor understands that foot and ankle pain limits your movement and daily activities. First, you will have a thorough physical examination and if necessary, your Loyola doctor may recommend testing to make a final diagnosis. Testing to determine the cause of your foot or ankle pain may include:

• Arthrography
• CT scan (computed tomography)
• Fluoroscopy
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
• Ultrasound
• X-rays, including stress radiography

Loyola also offers extremity MRI scans for examinations of the ankles and feet. This option provides more comfort for patients, particularly those who are uncomfortable in small, enclosed spaces.

What Treatment Options Are Available for Foot and Ankle Pain and Injury?

Your Loyola healthcare team aims to diagnose your foot or ankle problem and develop a treatment plan in a timely fashion, so that you can begin your treatment and return to your normal activities as soon as possible. Your Loyola foot and ankle specialist will first try to use nonsurgical treatment options, including bracing, custom orthotics, medication, physical therapy, prosthetics, splinting, steroid injections and custom footwear.

If surgery is necessary, Loyola’s foot and ankle surgeons will approach your surgery with great care and precision. Loyola’s foot and ankle surgeons are specially trained to provide the following surgical treatments for foot and ankle conditions:

To regain your normal function and activities, you likely will work with a rehabilitation specialist or physical medicine doctor. For some cases, physical therapy may be recommended as your primary method of treatment; it is also recommended as a follow-up to surgical treatment.

Loyola’s experienced, internationally recognized rehabilitation team will treat you with care and compassion, helping you achieve a healthy recovery and returning you to your daily activities. Learn more about orthopaedic rehabilitation.