Foot Injuries Specialist
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Bay Breeze Foot & Ankle Specialists
Dr. Maurice W. Aiken, DPM
Podiatry & Alternative Medicine located in Dunedin, FL
If you play sports or lead a physically active lifestyle, you’re also more likely to experience foot injuries. Fortunately, with early intervention and treatment, most foot injuries resolve without the need for invasive measures like surgery. At Bay Breeze Foot & Ankle Specialists, board-certified foot and ankle surgeon Maurice W. Aiken, DPM, treats various foot injuries, including plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and sprains. To make an appointment at the practice in Dunedin, Florida, call the office today or schedule online.
Foot Injuries Q & A
What are foot injuries?
Foot injuries occur due to trauma, like sprains, fractures, or repetitive stress. Anyone can experience a foot injury, but they’re especially common in athletes and weekend warriors.
If you or a loved one experiences a foot injury and your symptoms don’t respond to at-home treatments, contact Bay Breeze Foot & Ankle Specialists right away.
What are some common foot injuries?
At Bay Breeze Foot & Ankle Specialists, Dr. Aiken treats a variety of common foot injuries, including:
Achilles tendon pain
The Achilles tendon connects your foot to your calf muscle. It’s incredibly tough, but overuse caused by high-impact activities can result in heel pain, swelling, and mobility issues.
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a wear-and-tear injury that causes your plantar fascia –– a band of fibrous tissue that runs from your heel to your toes –– to become inflamed. Anyone can develop plantar fasciitis, but it’s most common in people between the ages of 40-60.
Sprained ankles
A sprained ankle occurs when you overextend the ligaments that support your ankle joint, resulting in swelling, tenderness, and pain. Some sprains are mild and resolve with rest. Others are more serious and require splinting or surgery.
Fractures
A fracture refers to a broken bone. Common causes of foot and ankle fractures include car accidents, crush injuries, or stubbing your toe.
How are foot injuries diagnosed?
To diagnose foot injuries, Dr. Aiken reviews your health history and asks about your symptoms, including when they first started and if any activities, like exercise or putting weight on your foot, make them worse. Next, he tests the strength, range of motion, and flexibility of your feet and ankles.
If physical observation isn’t enough to make a diagnosis, Dr. Aiken might order additional tests like X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI.
How are foot injuries treated?
At Bay Breeze Foot & Ankle Specialists, Dr. Aiken treats foot injuries using conservative, integrative means whenever possible. He might recommend:
- Physical therapy
- Custom orthotics
- Regenerative medicine (PRP, Pro Lo therapy)
- Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)
- Erchonia® cold laser therapy
- Splints or casts
If your injury fails to heal or it worsens, surgical intervention might be necessary but only as a last resort.
To learn more about the various treatment options for foot injuries, make an appointment at Bay Breeze Foot & Ankle Specialists by calling the office today or scheduling online.
