Foot Pain & Injuries

An OSF HealthCare orthopedic doctor can diagnose and treat:

• Achilles tendonitis – Inflammation or tears in the tendon on the back of your ankle and calf
• Bunion – Bony bump at the base of your big toe
• Fractures – Jones fractures, metatarsal fractures, broken ankles and stress fractures
• Gout – Painful, swollen and arthritic joint, especially in the big toe
• Hammertoe, claw toe and mallet toe – Toes that don’t lie in the right position
• Lisfranc injury – Damaged bones or ligaments in the middle of your foot
• Morton’s neuroma – Pinched, inflamed nerves between toes
• Peroneal tendonitis – Inflamed tendons along your ankle and the side of your foot
• Plantar fasciitis – Heel pain due to an inflamed ligament

Nonsurgical Care

Your treatment will most likely begin with conservative measures, which have a lower risk of side effects than surgery. Depending on your condition, you may benefit from one or more of these approaches:

• Rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE) to reduce pain and swelling right after a sprain or strain
• Lifestyle changes, such as switching to a different type of exercise or asking for work accommodations to relieve stress on your feet
• Physical therapy which may use exercise, stretches and hands-on techniques to safely increase strength and range of motion
• Orthotics (shoe inserts) tailored to your foot shape and condition
• Casts or braces to protect and support an injured foot as it heals
• Medications you take by mouth or receive via injection to numb pain and decrease swelling

Foot & Ankle Surgery

Ask for a referral to the experienced orthopedic surgeons at OSF HealthCare if your doctor recommends surgery. A procedure may be a good option if nonsurgical treatments don’t offer enough symptom relief, or you experience a fracture or other serious injury.

Expect high-quality care from our team during procedures such as:

• Achilles tendon surgery
• Arthritis surgery, including arthroplasty, cheilectomy and fusion
• Ankle replacement
• Brostrom procedure (ankle ligament reconstruction)
• Bunion surgery
• Hammer toe operation
• Heel spur removal

Least Invasive Approach for a Faster Recovery

Your orthopedic surgeon will make the smallest possible incision to treat your injury or condition. If you need ankle treatment, your surgeon may take an approach called arthroscopy. It uses a thin tube with a light and camera to show the inside of your joint and guide surgery. Arthroscopy and other minimally invasive techniques reduce pain, scarring and the risk of complications (side effects). You’ll likely go home the same day as treatment and recover sooner.

Ask for a Referral

Ask your primary care doctor for a referral to an orthopedic doctor at OSF HealthCare. Need a primary care provider? Browse our directory.

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