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Medical experts all recommend regular physical activity to maintain your overall wellness. But if you hurt yourself while staying active — and particularly if you fracture a bone in your foot or ankle — it can feel frustrating. Not only are you hurt, but you’re unable to stick with your normal mode of exercise.
Enter: sports medicine. With this approach, you don’t just get the treatment you need to heal the fracture. You also get care tailored to supporting your long-term ability to do your chosen activity.
As experts in both sports medicine and foot and ankle fractures, William T. DeCarbo, DPM, FACFAS, and our team can come alongside you. We aim to heal your fracture and get you back to doing what you love. Whether you think you might have a fracture or it’s already been diagnosed, don’t hesitate to visit us at Greater Pittsburgh Foot & Ankle Center in Wexford, Pennsylvania. We tailor sports medicine treatment to address the fracture and your long-term outcome.
Supporting your healing
First things first, we need to allow the fracture to heal. Dr. DeCarbo develops a personalized plan based on what your injury needs. To evaluate that, he performs a physical exam of the injured area and orders an X-ray.
He also asks when you started to notice the pain and what it felt like. Some foot and ankle fractures develop suddenly (e.g., during a fall), while others develop over time (i.e., stress fractures). Stress fractures are particularly common when the feet are subjected to repeated activity, so running and sports put you at risk for this type of injury.
Based on the type of fracture and how it’s affecting you, Dr. DeCarbo determines what level of intervention your injury needs. Usually, fractures require immobilization with a cast or splint. If that makes it difficult to get around, our team also fits you with a mobility device like crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair.
To further support your healing, Dr. DeCarbo may also recommend anti-inflammatory medication.
In rare cases, he suggests more involved treatment. Some extreme fractures need surgery to properly heal, for example.
Preventing reinjury
Our sports medicine approach means Dr. DeCarbo and our team think beyond healing your fracture. Our goal is to help you get back to the best state possible. Ideally, you’ll regain a full range of motion and your former level of strength in the injured area.
We think through how your injury affects your musculoskeletal system and design a plan to address any adverse effects. We might recommend physical therapy to help you stretch and strengthen the affected body parts, for example.
If you developed a stress fracture, we also work with you to refine your technique. Proper form paired with a good warm-up and cool-down routine should help you avoid reinjury.
Additionally, we work with you to find the right equipment to support your long-term outcome. The right shoes go a long way toward protecting your feet and ankles and helping you avoid another fracture.
If you want to heal your fracture with a sports medicine approach that focuses on helping you enjoy your chosen activity long-term, we’re here. Call our office or book your appointment online today.