Ankle

At Tahoe Forest Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we are focused on a better you. Our specialty-trained ankle doctors and staff are dedicated to providing specialized ankle care to patients in Truckee, Incline Village, and the surrounding communities.

The ankle and foot are vulnerable to injuries, largely because they are used so often and bear most of a person’s body weight. Oftentimes, ankle or foot injuries are sports-related and happen when an athlete jumps, twists, or pivots during play. Other times, the pain is caused by a chronic condition, such as ankle arthritis.

Although some ankle and foot injuries are minor, ankle doctors have the specialized knowledge to determine the true extent of the damage. Ankle specialists focus their medical practice on helping patients with a wide range of ankle problems, from twisted ankles to ankle fractures.

Because the foot and ankle are joined, sometimes one can affect the other. Therefore, the care ankle surgeons offer may include a foot exam as well as an ankle exam. For any necessary diagnostic tests, we offer convenient, on-site imaging, which includes digital X-ray and MRI. Examples of foot issues an ankle doctor might address include heel pain, sports-related injuries, and plantar fasciitis.

Depending on the patient, appropriate treatment may include ankle surgery. If this is the case, your ankle surgeon may recommend a surgical procedure like ankle replacement (total ankle arthroplasty), ankle fusion, or another type of ankle surgery.

When you have an appointment with an ankle doctor, you’ll have an opportunity to describe your pain. Here are some issues that you may be noticing that you’ll want to share with your doctor:

• Ankle deformity
• Bones feel like they are grinding
• Joint instability
• Limping
• Pain runs down into the foot and big toe
• Swelling

Your doctor may diagnose you with one of the following ankle or foot conditions:

• Achilles rupture: A condition caused by overstretching or tearing the Achilles tendon.
• Achilles tendonitis: A condition caused by inflammation of the Achilles tendon.
• Ankle arthritis: Osteoarthritis affects the ankle, causing cartilage to wear down so bone rubs against bone.
• Bunions: Bony bump at the base of the big toe.
• Sprain: When the ankle rolls or twists abnormally, causing the ligaments to stretch and tear.

Once you are diagnosed, your doctor will first consider all nonsurgical treatment options, such as medication or physical therapy, before recommending surgery. However, if these treatments are ineffective, they will explain why and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. If surgery is required, our surgeons have extensive training in the latest ankle and foot surgical procedures.

When you have ankle pain or foot pain, it can take a toll on your whole life. Our ankle specialists are not only medical experts, but they’re also knowledgeable professionals who want to do more than just treat your ankle or foot; they want to help you get back to what you love. To schedule an appointment, call (530) 587-7461 or make an appointment request.

At Tahoe Forest Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, our team of dedicated orthopedic experts is here for you. As specialty-trained and knowledgeable ankle doctors and surgeons, Dr. Jeffrey Dodd, Dr. Jonathan Hagen, Dr. Michael Jernick, Dr. Andrew Ringnes, and Dr. Nina Winans are backed by the latest state-of-the-art technology and have extensive experience to bring you the very best in orthopedic care. Our ankle doctors have the surgical and nonsurgical expertise you need to reach your goals.

If you have an ankle injury or condition, call (530) 587-7461 to schedule an appointment with one of our expert ankle doctors or surgeons or make an appointment request. We offer three convenient locations in Truckee, California, and Incline Village, Nevada: Tahoe Forest Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Tahoe Forest Sports Medicine & Therapy Services, and the Incline Village Community Hospital.