The foot and ankle are made up of tiny bones and sophisticated structures that get you where you want to go. Your foot alone has 26 bones (one-quarter of all bones in the body) and 33 joints. A problem with one or more of these structures can cause discomfort every time your foot hits the ground.

Foot pain and ankle pain are common problems, but they shouldn’t stop you from living life to the fullest. We’ll get to the source of your pain with advanced diagnosis and treatment options – so you can get back on your feet again.

Specialized care for foot pain & ankle pain

Our large team of orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine doctors includes experts who specialize in treating foot and ankle problems. Their high level of expertise means you can get the best possible care – and much-needed relief.

Highlights of our program at Aurora Health Care include:

• Expertise: Our sports medicine team includes orthopedic surgeons who specialize in foot and ankle problems. Advanced training and deep experience help them identify problems that can be easy to miss, like the early signs of joint damage.
• Coordinated care: When necessary, you may need multiple types of treatment – like physical therapy and injections. We coordinate your care so you can focus on recovery instead of managing information from multiple specialists.

  And since many members of our team have been working together for years, they know exactly how to keep your treatment moving forward. Find out more about sports injury treatments

• Convenience: We provide an accurate diagnosis in as few visits as possible. Our clinics feature on-site imaging capabilities, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to help us understand the precise location of the problem.

Foot pain & ankle pain causes

Pain can result from many common injuries or conditions affecting the foot and ankle, including:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Sprains and strains
• Stress fracture
• Running injuries, including Achilles tendonitis and Achilles tendon rupture
• Sprained ankle
• Hammer toe
• Arthritis

Foot pain & ankle pain diagnosis

In addition to a physical exam, we may use imaging tests to pinpoint the source of your pain and find out how serious it is.

Imaging tests at Aurora include:

• X-ray: We use this fast, painless test to take pictures of your bones and internal structures.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: An MRI uses radio waves and a powerful magnet to capture images of bones and soft tissues. An MRI also helps us get a closer look at connective tissues like tendons and ligaments, so we can pinpoint what’s causing your pain.
• 3-D computed tomography (CT) scan: This test combines X-ray images from several angles for a more detailed view of your foot or ankle. Special technology produces 3-D images allowing a level of precision that is not possible from standard CT imaging.

Learn more about orthopedic diagnosis.

Treating foot pain & ankle pain

At Aurora, you’ll have access to the most advanced foot and ankle treatments. Our sports medicine experts will let you know your options and work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan.

Treatments for foot and ankle pain at Aurora include:

• Shoes that better meet your needs: We may recommend a special shoe insert made to fit the unique shape of your foot (custom foot orthotics). Orthotics can help to ease foot and ankle pain while preventing further injury.
• Physical therapy: Working with an Aurora physical therapist can help you regain strength in your foot or ankle. It can also help improve flexibility to lower your risk for re-injury. Find orthopedic physical therapy.
• Injections: Our experts can improve joint function and reduce pain with medications that are injected into the joints of your foot or ankle. Learn more about injections for joint pain.
• Surgery: Sometimes surgery is necessary to repair injured structures in the foot or ankle. Surgery can also help you achieve more normal foot movements. When the damage is severe, we offer advanced procedures like total ankle replacement.

Find an orthopedic specialist

Use our search tool to find a nearby orthopedic specialist who’s right for you.