Foot Injuries Specialist
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Lake Pointe Foot & Ankle
Martin V Sloan, MS, DPM
Podiatrist located in Rockwall, TX & Abilene, TX
Your feet endure an extreme amount of stress on a daily basis, and foot injuries are common. Martin Sloan, MS, DPM, FACFAS, at Lake Pointe Foot & Ankle in Abilene, near Dyess Air Force base, and Rockwall, Texas, uses advanced diagnostic tools and treatments for foot injuries. His goal is to help you get back on your feet quickly and safely. To schedule an appointment with an expert in foot injuries, call the office nearest you or book an appointment online today.
Foot Injuries Q&A
What are common foot injuries?
Your feet are a complex part of your body that support movement and locomotion, as well as your body weight when standing still.
Made up of 26 bones and 33 joints, all held together by muscles, ligaments, and tendons, the structure and function of your feet make them susceptible to injury. This is especially true for athletes who place extra stress on their feet for their sport.
Common foot injuries or conditions include:
- Fractures
- Stress fractures
- Sprains and strains
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tendonitis
- Ruptured tendon (Achilles tendon)
- Dislocation
- Contusions
- Crush injuries
- Puncture wounds
- Metatarsalgia
- Blisters
- Sports injuries
- Foot wounds and ulcers
When not properly treated, foot injuries may lead to chronic foot problems such as arthritis, chronic ankle instability, or a chronic foot wound.
What symptoms occur with foot injuries?
Foot injury symptoms vary in severity and type, depending on the location and type of injury. Common symptoms include:
- Heel pain
- Swelling and redness
- Stiffness
- Tenderness
- Warmth
- Bruising and other types of discoloration
- Obvious deformity
- Inability to bear weight on the feet
- A decrease in range of motion
- Burning, tingling, or numbness
If you’re experiencing symptoms of a foot injury, contact Lake Pointe Foot & Ankle to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sloan.
How are foot injuries diagnosed?
Lake Pointe Foot & Ankle is a full-service podiatry practice. Dr. Sloan performs a comprehensive history and physical, including in-house diagnostic testing, to determine your foot injury.
During your exam, he asks detailed questions about your symptoms, including when and how they started. He also asks about your usual routine, including exercise habits that may affect your foot injury and healing process.
Dr. Sloan examines your feet and may request in-house X-rays or a diagnostic ultrasound testing to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.
Lake Pointe Foot & Ankle also offers in-house vascular studies to evaluate blood flow for patients with nonhealing foot ulcers and wounds. People with diabetes are at greater risk of developing foot problems due to poor circulation in their feet.
How are foot injuries treated?
Dr. Sloan develops individualized treatment plans for foot injuries based on injury type, symptoms, overall health, and usual activities.
Treatment may include:
- Rest, ice, compression, and elevation
- Strapping or taping to reduce strain
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Physical therapy
- Cortisone injections
- Casting
- Activity modification
- Wound healing
Dr. Sloan also specializes in biomechanics and custom-made orthotics. He may recommend orthotics to improve foot support and prevent future foot injuries.
When needed, Dr. Sloan also performs surgery to support the healing of your foot injury.
For expert care for your foot injury, call Lake Pointe Foot & Ankle, or book an appointment online today.