The feet and ankles are used every day. It’s no surprise that they are among the most frequently injured bones in the body. Stress fractures, sprained ankles, and torn Achilles tendons are among the most common injuries Dr. Mellano treats at his Torrance orthopedic surgery practice. He has successfully treated thousands of foot and ankle injuries over the course of his 11-year surgical career as a board-certified Torrance surgeon.
Stress fractures are small cracks in the bone. The feet and ankle, composed of a complex system of delicate bones, are prone to stress fractures more so than larger, stronger bones in the human body. Repetitive force, trauma, and prolonged use of the foot and ankle bones can all be responsible for developing these hairline fractures. At Mellano Orthopedics in Torrance foot fracture treatments are offered to our patients who feel that they might have caused injusry to the foot.
Early stress fracture treatment is the key to preventing ongoing foot and ankle problems. Your Torrance orthopedic doctor can evaluate the damage with diagnostic imaging with an ankle or foot x-ray. Many stress fractures heal without intervention. In some cases, a bandage, walking boot, or cast may be placed to assist in fast healing. It is important to rest and take several weeks from physically demanding activities in order to promote rapid recovery from stress fractures of the foot and ankle. If the foot fracture is making it difficult to walk, then crutches or a cane may be used for additional support.
Compression, elevation, ice, and rest are considered the best ways to relieve a sprained ankle. Sprained ankles may heal on their own with proper home care and rest, however, it is important to see a trusted orthopedic ankle surgeon in Torrance to evaluate the severity of the sprain.
Our Torrance ankle specialist can take a look at the ankle and tell you the extent of damage that may have occurred as a result of an accident or injury. Mild ankle sprains tend to heal in 1 to 3 weeks, while a moderately sprained ankle can take longer to heal at approximately 3 to 4 weeks post-injury. Severe ankle sprains take far longer to heal. Healing may take several months. Early treatment can prevent worsening of the ankle sprain so patients can get back to life quickly with less pain. We strive to provide you with the best sprained ankle treatment Torrance has to offer.
If you have a sprained ankle, a visit to an orthopedic specialist is imperative. It is not always easy to tell when an ankle is sprained because swelling can occur as a result of non-serious injuries as well as a sprain. An orthopedic doctor can tell you whether a sprain resulted from trauma. If you have any of the following sprained ankle symptoms, please schedule a visit with Dr. Mellano as soon as possible. Symptoms may include:
Dr. Mellano specializes in minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair surgery using a special robot-assisted camera.
This advanced surgical tool is very small in size, which means smaller incisions, minimal scarring, and less tissue trauma during surgery for a faster Achilles tendon recovery. While Dr. Mellano and his patients strongly favor a conservative approach to Achilles surgery, a severely damaged Achilles tendon may require traditional open surgery. An incision is placed on the back of the heel and the Achilles tendon is repaired.
Dr. Mellano is well versed in Achilles tendon injury and repair, so the surgery is an outpatient procedure that does not take very long. Patients can return home from the ambulatory surgery center the same day. A walking cast or boot protects the area as it heals. This may be worn for 6 to 12 weeks after surgery, depending on the extent of the injury. Patients may resume full physical activity just a few short months following the procedure.
In some cases, an Achilles tendon heals on its own. However, athletes and physically active patients run the risk of overusing the Achilles tendon, which can prolong recovery time. Severe Achilles tendon injuries require surgical intervention. It is difficult to heal as the Achilles tend is constantly used during everyday movements. Having a torn Achilles tendon repaired with surgery promotes a speedy recovery period and provides support to the damaged ankle tendon so that patients can resume daily activities and sports in just a few months with confidence. Schedule your appointment for Achilles tendon repair now to relieve pain and restore the ankle to full functionality.
Dr. Mellano’s mission is to give his Torrance patients the freedom to keep doing the activities they love. If you are struggling with joint pain, arthritis, lack of mobility, or joint inflammation, contact Dr. Mellano for a consultation so he can help you get moving again.
