A broken ankle can be complex—involving all three bones of the ankle (talus, fibula, and tibia)—or simple when just one of these bones breaks. You may be experiencing a broken ankle if you have pain, tenderness, swelling, or bruising in the area. In more severe breaks, your ankle may be misshapen or a bone may be protruding. The manner of treatment your podiatrist takes to heal your broken ankle depends on the complexity and nature of the break as well as where it occurs. They may be able to help treat your ankle by icing it, stabilizing it with a cast, splint, or boot, and by instructing you to keep weight off of it for a period of time to allow it to heal on its own. In some cases, a surgical intervention may be necessary to properly realign the ankle and repair damaged bones. It is important to seek the care of a podiatrist if you suspect that your ankle is broken so it can heal properly, and to avoid a worsening condition or infection from developing. 

Broken ankles need immediate treatment. If you are seeking treatment, contact one of our podiatrists from APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet. 

Broken Ankles
A broken ankle is experienced when a person fractures their tibia or fibula in the lower leg and ankle area. Both of these bones are attached at the bottom of the leg and combine to form what we know to be our ankle.

When a physician is referring to a break of the ankle, he or she is usually referring to a break in the area where the tibia and fibula are joined to create our ankle joint. Ankles are more prone to fractures because the ankle is an area that suffers a lot of pressure and stress. There are some obvious signs when a person experiences a fractured ankle, and the following symptoms may be present.

Symptoms of a Fractured Ankle

• Excessive pain when the area is touched or when any pressure is placed on the ankle
• Swelling around the area
• Bruising of the area
• Area appears to be deformed

If you suspect an ankle fracture, it is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you have your podiatrist diagnose the fracture, the quicker you’ll be on the way towards recovery.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Fort Myers, Shellpoint, and Naples, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A Doppler ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to visualize blood flow throughout the body. In podiatry, a Doppler ultrasound can be used to diagnose peripheral artery disease and other conditions that may affect blood flow in the feet and ankles. You may need to undergo this imaging test if you are experiencing the symptoms of poor circulation in your lower limbs, which include numbness, weakness, coldness, cramping, or skin discoloration. A Doppler ultrasound is painless and noninvasive, and there are no known risks. It usually takes between 30 minutes and one hour to complete. If you have symptoms of poor circulation in your feet or ankles, please consult with a podiatrist. 

Vascular testing plays an important part in diagnosing disease like peripheral artery disease. If you have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, or diabetes, consult with one of our podiatrists from APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.

What Is Vascular Testing?

Vascular testing checks for how well blood circulation is in the veins and arteries. This is most often done to determine and treat a patient for peripheral artery disease (PAD), stroke, and aneurysms. Podiatrists utilize vascular testing when a patient has symptoms of PAD or if they believe they might. If a patient has diabetes, a podiatrist may determine a vascular test to be prudent to check for poor blood circulation.

How Is it Conducted?

Most forms of vascular testing are non-invasive. Podiatrists will first conduct a visual inspection for any wounds, discoloration, and any abnormal signs prior to a vascular test.

 The most common tests include:

• Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) examination
• Doppler examination
• Pedal pulses

These tests are safe, painless, and easy to do. Once finished, the podiatrist can then provide a diagnosis and the best course for treatment.

If you have any questions please contact our offices located in Fort Myers, Shellpoint, and Naples, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

With one in four older Americans falling each year, these types of injuries are quite common among senior citizens. However, there are some preventative measures older adults can take to help reduce their risk of falling, including: having vision and hearing checked every year, removing tripping hazards and installing grab bars in the home, making sure side effects from prescribed medications do not increase risk of falling, and engaging in safe exercises that strengthen muscles and improve balance and flexibility. A podiatrist can also analyze and correct gait abnormalities, create custom orthotics, treat any foot or ankle conditions that may impede mobility, and make recommendations for proper footwear—all of which can help improve flexibility, balance and mobility.

Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with one of our podiatrists from APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.

Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.

How to Prevent Falls

Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:

• Enrolling in strength and balance exercise program to increase balance and strength
• Periodically having your sight and hearing checked
• Discuss any medications you have with a doctor to see if it increases the risk of falling
• Clearing the house of falling hazards and installing devices like grab bars and railings
• Utilizing a walker or cane
• Wearing shoes that provide good support and cushioning
• Talking to family members about falling and increasing awareness

Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Fort Myers, Shellpoint, and Naples, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

Podiatrists are highly skilled physicians and surgeons that are experts in the feet, ankles, and related structures of the legs. They treat patients with all kinds of pain, discomfort, and reduced mobility in these areas including: general foot and ankle conditions, sports injuries, broken or sprained bones, heel pain, biomechanical irregularities, reconstructive surgery, and serious medical complications due to diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, and neurological diseases. Podiatrists may utilize the latest technologies such as digital imaging/ultrasound/gait analysis, laser and shockwave therapies, platelet-rich plasma injections, as well as custom orthotics and surgical interventions (when necessary). Their goal is to reduce their patient’s pain, restore mobility and balance, and get them back to their normal activities as soon and as safely as possible.

If you are experiencing pain in the feet or ankles, don’t join the stubborn majority refusing treatment. Feel free to contact one of our podiatrists from APEX Foot & Ankle Center. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.

What Is a Podiatrist?

Someone would seek the care of a podiatrist if they have suffered a foot injury or have common foot ailments such as heal spurs, bunions, arch problems, deformities, ingrown toenails, corns, foot and ankle problems, etc.

Podiatric Treatment

A podiatrist will treat the problematic areas of the feet, ankle or lower leg by prescribing the following:

• Physical therapy
• Drugs
• Orthotic inserts or soles
• Surgery on lower extremity fractures

A common podiatric procedure a podiatrist will use is a scanner or force plate which will allow the podiatrist to know the designs of orthotics. Patients are then told to follow a series of tasks to complete the treatment. The computer will scan the foot a see which areas show weight distribution and pressure points. The podiatrist will read the analysis and then determine which treatment plans are available.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Fort Myers, Shellpoint, and Naples, FL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.