Benefit from Medical Care: Treatment from an Ankle Doctor

If you’ve ever dealt with an ankle problem in the past, you may know how it can impact your daily life and activities. From walking, exercising, working, or even just standing still, it’s important to have healthy ankles. Any kind of pain, stiffness, or instability in your ankles could potentially affect how independent you are, and it’ll likely reduce your overall quality of life.

Fortunately, effective treatments are available. Ankle doctor services at Teton Foot & Ankle are provided, with treatments to reduce pain and support improved balance and mobility.

We provide specialized medical care, including accurately diagnosing ankle conditions and creating personalized treatment plans for long-term joint health.

How Ankles Work

The ankle is a complex joint that is designed to support your body weight while still allowing for smooth and controlled movement. The ankle consists of three main bones: the tibia, fibula, and talus, which come together to create a stable hinge joint that allows your foot to move up, down, and slightly side to side.

Muscles, ligaments, and tendons are also important here. Ligaments connect bone to bone and stabilize the ankle, while tendons connect muscles to bones and allow movement. The Achilles tendon is critical for walking, running, and jumping. Together, ligament and tendon structures help your ankles absorb impact when moving, maintain your balance, and also adapt to uneven surfaces. When any part of this system is injured or inflamed, individuals may experience resulting pain and dysfunction.

Common Ankle Problems

Ankle pain can be caused by an injury or occur gradually over time due to overuse or joint degeneration. Some of the most common ankle problems that are treated by an ankle doctor include:

Sprains

An ankle sprain happens when the ligaments are stretched or torn, often due to twisting or rolling the ankle. Symptoms include pain, bruising, swelling, and difficulty bearing weight.

Fractures

Ankle fractures are identified by breakage in one or more bones. Symptoms are often similar to sprains, including pain, swelling, and bruising, which is why imaging is necessary for accurate diagnosis.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon, commonly caused by overuse, repetitive motion, or improper biomechanics. Some of the most common symptoms include aching pain, stiffness, and tenderness, worsening whenever you engage in physical activity.

There are multiple approaches to tendonitis treatment.

Arthritis

Arthritis in the ankle results from cartilage breakdown within the joint, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion. Over time, arthritis can significantly limit mobility.

Learn more about care options for ankle arthritis.

When Should I See an Ankle Doctor?

People may ignore seeing an ankle doctor because they assume the injury will get better on its own, without the care of a professional. In reality, an early evaluation by a trained ankle doctor can prevent further complications and speed up recovery time.

An ankle specialist has advanced training and experience in foot and ankle conditions, a background that can support a more precise diagnosis and targeted treatment plan.

You should consider seeing an ankle doctor if you experience:

• Any bruising around the ankle or foot area

• A possible fracture, especially if you’ve recently had a fall or other physical injury

• Limited mobility or difficulty bearing weight

• Signs of tendonitis, such as ongoing pain whenever you move

• A sprain that doesn’t seem to get better with time or rest

• Persistent stiffness in your ankle

• Swelling around that ankle that doesn’t seem to get better

Early treatment can drastically reduce the pain you experience, prevent long-term damage, and even help restore normal movement.

Diagnosing and Treating Ankle Conditions

Treatment options for ankle-related injuries depend on the specific condition of your ankle and the severity of the condition. An accurate diagnosis is important for effective care, and in determining a diagnosis, an ankle doctor may perform a physical examination and use diagnostic tools such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, or an ultrasound to evaluate bones and soft tissues.

Ankle Sprains

Mild to moderate ankle sprains are cases when at-home care may be sufficient. These types of sprains can often be treated by using the RICE method—rest, ice, compression, and elevation—yet more severe sprains may require immobilization with a boot or brace, physical therapy, or surgical intervention.

Additional information is available on sprained ankle treatment from our team.

Fractures

Because fracture symptoms closely resemble sprain symptoms, X-rays are helpful in confirming an ankle’s condition. Fracture treatment may involve immobilization with a cast or boot. In more complex cases, surgery may be needed to properly align and stabilize the bones.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis diagnosis may include observation of movement, imaging tests, and, in some cases, blood tests that are used to rule out or identify systemic conditions. Tendonitis treatment options vary from simple rest, anti-inflammatory medication, rehabilitation services, and custom orthotics to reduce strain on the affected tendon.

Learn more about tendonitis care.

Arthritis

Ankle arthritis is typically diagnosed using imaging studies and blood tests. Most arthritis treatment focuses on pain relief and preserving your joint function through anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, footwear modifications, and orthotics.

More details about arthritis treatment are on our “Arthritis” page.

Contact an Ankle Doctor in Idaho Falls

If you’re experiencing ankle pain or mobility issues, getting care from a specialist as soon as possible can make a meaningful difference in your recovery.

Dr. Michael James, a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) and Dr. Bradley (Brady) James provide professional ankle care in Idaho Falls. With extensive experience diagnosing and treating ankle conditions, they are dedicated to helping patients return to comfortable, confident movement.

Contact Teton Foot & Ankle to schedule an appointment for ankle treatment geared toward improved mobility and long-term ankle health.