Common Ankle and Foot Injuries And How We Can Help

Unlike other aspects of our health, we don't often think about our feet or ankles until something happens. It's this situation that prompts people to contact a podiatrist. The staff at Regional Foot and Ankle Specialists in Turnersville and Pennsauken, NJ can help you if you are dealing with foot and ankle issues, including two of the most common reasons why people visit a podiatrist - sprained ankles and ingrown toenails - and how they're typically managed.

Ankle sprain

Spraining an ankle is one of the most frequently-occurring accidents across the country: the American Academy of Family Physicians estimates that two million ankle sprains occur each year in people of all ages and activity levels. Sprains occur when a ligament - a tough, flexible band of tissue that connects two bones - is stretched beyond its normal capacity. Mild sprains overextend the ligament; severe sprains actually create a tear in the tissue. Your Turnersville podiatrist sees many patients with ankle sprains of varying degrees, and treatment will depend on the level of injury. For many people, simply resting and applying ice while the ligament heals is enough to get them back on their feet. For others, a cast or splint, followed by physical therapy, may be necessary. Seeking professional treatment for a sprained ankle, especially if you can't put weight on it, is essential to proper healing.

Ingrown toenail

Another common foot-related problem are ingrown toenails, which are usually found on the big toe and involve the edge of the nail growing sideways into the skin next to it. Ingrown toenails are often caused by improper trimming or wearing shoes that are too short. They can be extremely painful, particularly if they become infected. This is where your Turnersville podiatrist comes in. A minor surgical procedure to remove the ingrown section of the toenail may be necessary, as well as an application of antibiotics to clear up any infection that may have developed.

Regional Foot and Ankle Specialists have two convenient northwest New Jersey locations: our Turnersville office can be reached at (856) 875-8855 and the Pennsauken office number is (856) 488-5290. Call us for an appointment today.