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If you have a broken ankle, you’re probably wondering how long it will be before it’s healed. Broken ankles can range from severely impeding your ability to walk, to being barely noticeable, depending on where the fracture occurred and how severe it is.

How many bones are in the ankle?

The ankle joint is comprised of three bones, which are the tibia, fibula and talus. The tibia is the commonly referred to as the shin. The fibula is the small bone that comes down from the lower leg, and is parallel to the tibia. The talus is a smaller bone between the tibia and the fibula.

What causes an ankle to break?

It’s fairly easy to break your ankle, especially if your bones are weak or you’re older. Breaks can occur from twists and falls, trauma (something falling on the ankle), unnatural twisting or rotating. Often, ankles break during a sports accident, but they can also break from something as innocuous as tripping on a sidewalk or missing a step.

How do I know if my ankle is broken?

The symptoms of a broken ankle include pain, swelling, redness and an inability to bear weight. Of course, if you have incurred an ankle injury, the only definitive way to tell if the bone is fractured is to visit an orthopedic doctor in Jacksonville. The orthopedic doctor will examine and X-ray or do a scan of the ankle to determine the extent of injury and treatment options.

How are broken ankles treated?

It depends on the situation, but treatment options include surgery, cast, pins, crutches and/or wheelchair during recovery. Pain medication may be prescribed as needed.

How long will it take to heal from a broken ankle?

Depending on the nature of the fracture and your body’s ability to heal, you can anticipate a recovery period of six weeks. Many variables contribute to the recovery window, however, such as your adherence to the doctor’s instructions and your overall health. During recovery, your doctor may need to take progressive X-rays or do stress tests to monitor the healing process.

If you suspect that your ankle might be broken, or your ankle joint simply doesn’t seem right after an accident, please seek the help of an orthopedic doctor. Contact us today to make an appointment for a consultation.

How long does it take to heal from a broken ankle?

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If you have a broken ankle, you’re probably wondering how long it will be before it’s healed. Broken ankles can range from severely impeding your ability to walk, to being barely noticeable, depending on where the fracture occurred and how severe it is.

How many bones are in the ankle?

The ankle joint is comprised of three bones, which are the tibia, fibula and talus. The tibia is the commonly referred to as the shin. The fibula is the small bone that comes down from the lower leg, and is parallel to the tibia. The talus is a smaller bone between the tibia and the fibula.

What causes an ankle to break?

It’s fairly easy to break your ankle, especially if your bones are weak or you’re older. Breaks can occur from twists and falls, trauma (something falling on the ankle), unnatural twisting or rotating. Often, ankles break during a sports accident, but they can also break from something as innocuous as tripping on a sidewalk or missing a step.

How do I know if my ankle is broken?

The symptoms of a broken ankle include pain, swelling, redness and an inability to bear weight. Of course, if you have incurred an ankle injury, the only definitive way to tell if the bone is fractured is to visit an orthopedic doctor in Jacksonville. The orthopedic doctor will examine and X-ray or do a scan of the ankle to determine the extent of injury and treatment options.

How are broken ankles treated?

It depends on the situation, but treatment options include surgery, cast, pins, crutches and/or wheelchair during recovery. Pain medication may be prescribed as needed.

How long will it take to heal from a broken ankle?

Depending on the nature of the fracture and your body’s ability to heal, you can anticipate a recovery period of six weeks. Many variables contribute to the recovery window, however, such as your adherence to the doctor’s instructions and your overall health. During recovery, your doctor may need to take progressive X-rays or do stress tests to monitor the healing process.

If you suspect that your ankle might be broken, or your ankle joint simply doesn’t seem right after an accident, please seek the help of an orthopedic doctor. Contact us today to make an appointment for a consultation.

Three Common Runner Injuries You May Need to Fix

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Runner Injuries

Running is no doubt a healthy form of exercise and a great hobby. While running may be extremely beneficial for your heart and weight-loss efforts, it can sometimes take its toll on your legs, feet and ankles. Listed below are three common injuries that runners often have to deal with.

Shin Splints

Shin splints are the result of micro tears in the bone and muscle at the front of the leg. In most cases, shin splints are caused by prolonged running on hard surfaces as the bone and muscles in the shin must continuously absorb the shock. Shin splints are often quite painful and need to be corrected before a runner can continue their exercise routine.

Heel Spurs

Heel spurs are a small point of outward growing bone on the heel. They form in areas of inflammation such as when the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed. Since runners may often end up aggravating and inflaming their Achilles tendon, heel spurs are a common problem for them. Symptoms of heel spurs are pain, numbness and tenderness if they are irritating adjacent areas, though if they are not irritating the adjacent tissue they may go unnoticed.

Ankle Sprains and Fractures

Unlike heel spurs and shin splints which form over time due to prolonged exercise, ankle sprains and fractures can happen in an instant. Twist your ankle too far in the wrong direction and you may even end up with a broken ankle. Fractures, sprains, and breaks in the ankle are all quite painful and, in some cases, require surgery to fully repair.

Correcting Runner Injuries

There’s no reason you should let the fear of injury keep you from a beneficial hobby such as running. However, if you do incur one of the injuries common to runners, it’s important to correct it as soon as possible.

At Southeast Orthopedic Specialists, we specialize in helping people fully recover from injuries such as those listed above. If you are suffering from foot, ankle, or leg pain and are ready to correct the problem, we invite you to contact us today.

Choosing Between a Podiatrist or an Orthopedic Surgeon

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Injuries, diseases and disorders of the ankle and foot can benefit from being treated by a specialist. If you are like many people trying to navigate the healthcare system in the United States these days, though, you are likely to be confused about which specialist — a podiatrist or an orthopedic surgeon — will provide you with the best outcome.

Orthopedic Surgeons Offer Specialized Training and Techniques

An orthopedic surgeon that specializes in foot and ankle surgery, such as the board-certified physicians that comprise our medical team at Southeast Orthopedic Specialists, each have five years of intense surgical training. Additionally, our medical doctors have advanced training in foot and ankle surgery. In many cases, patients have other medical problems that are related to, or the result of, their foot and ankle issues. An orthopedic surgeon is skilled and knowledgeable in the mechanisms of the entire body and can address these concerns as well.

What is a Podiatrist vs Orthopedic?

A podiatrist must first obtain an undergraduate program before completing a four-year podiatry program. Afterward, the podiatrist must successfully pass examinations on the state and national level. At this point, the podiatrist can become licensed. A podiatrist is not necessarily equipped to perform surgery, though. This requires additional study, training and experience.

For the most comprehensive coverage in the area of diseases and disorders of the foot and ankle, you’ll obtain results that exceed your expectations when you seek out an orthopedic surgeon. At Southeast Orthopedic Specialists, each office also has physical therapy to provide a seamless continuity of services for their patients.

From total ankle replacement and deformity correction to foot fractures and treatment, the orthopedic specialists at Southeast Orthopedic Specialists are ready to help you on your way to recovery. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment at one of our six convenient locations.

Tired of Dealing with Hand and Wrist Pain?

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The human hand is a scientific marvel, capable of countless tasks. For those suffering from hand and wrist pain, though, these tasks can become a near constant source of discomfort. If you are tired of dealing with hand and wrist pain and the problems that it causes, our hand surgery specialists are ready to help you fix the problem once and for all.

What Causes Hand and Wrist Pain?

Hand and wrist pain can be caused by a wide range of factors, most all of which result in the damage of the many joints, muscles, nerves, tendons, and bones inside the wrist and hand. These factors include arthritis, trigger finger, ganglion cysts, Dupuytren’s Disease, fractures and carpal tunnel as well as others.hand bones injury

In many cases, it may be quite difficult to self-diagnose the cause of your hand and wrist pain as the symptoms of these various conditions may feel quite similar. However, all of these conditions are things that are best dealt with sooner rather than later. If you are suffering from hand and/or wrist pain and are ready for a solution, feel free to contact our hand surgery specialists today to schedule an appointment.

How to Correct Hand and Wrist Pain

Hand and wrist pain can sometimes be corrected with non-surgical solutions. In most cases, however, surgery is the most effective way to fully eliminate hand and wrist pain.

Surgeries designed to alleviate hand and wrist pain will vary depending on the condition that is causing your pain, so a thorough diagnosis is the first step in fixing the problem. From there, our hand surgery specialists will work to fully correct the damage using state-of-the-art procedures and the most cutting edge technological advancements in the medical industry.

If you are tired of dealing with hand and wrist pain and the constant effects that it has on your day-to-day tasks, we hope that you will visit us at Southeast Orthopedic Specialists and allow us to help you regain a pain-free life.

Benefits of Visiting a Hand Surgeon

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Our hands are used to perform many necessary functions. Hand weakness or pain can be debilitating and limit a person’s ability to dress, drive and more. For those that do not benefit from conservative approaches to treating weakness, injury or pain, hand surgery specialists provide additional options to address specific conditions affecting the hands and wrists.

There are a number of benefits from seeking the option of hand surgery specialists and receiving treatment at the Jacksonville orthopedic unit. Learn why people with hand pain or limited range of motion turn to a hand surgery specialist.

Hand Surgeon Experts

A Jacksonville hand surgeon is an expert in addressing the various conditions that can affect the hand, wrist and forearm. They often use non-invasive or minimally-invasive measures to diagnose and treat conditions. When more invasive surgery is called for, hand surgeons have the expertise and training to operate on the delicate soft tissue, nerves and bones making up the hand and wrist.

Hand Surgery Specialists Can Address Your Hand Pain

You could have hurt your hand recently and be experiencing some discomfort in your hand or wrist. When cases of hand pain do not resolve themselves quickly, you may need to learn more about your non-surgical or surgical options. A visit to the hand surgeon may be needed when a person experiences symptoms including:

  • Problems opening or closing fingers;
  • Pain in the fingers;
  • Discomfort, numbness or tingling in the hand or wrist; or
  • An injury to either the hand or wrist.

A hand surgeon may suggest acupuncture, physical therapy or stem cell injections as part of your treatment options. Understand more about the range of options available to effectively address problems of the hand or wrist.

Hand surgery specialists have the advanced training to treat trauma, injury and advanced diseases affecting the hand and wrist. Patients can receive treatment for hand weakness, pain or limited range of motion. Speak with an orthopedic hand specialist to learn more about your treatment options today.

Reasons You May Need Hand Surgery

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Our hands enable us to thrive. We feel, touch, grasp, carry and hold the world around us using our hands. So, what do we do when our hands hurt or are weak? In some cases, we turn to the experience and expertise of one of our Jacksonville Orthopedic surgeons. This blog explores the reasons you may need hand surgery

First Steps – Treatment Before Surgery

For many patients, hand surgery is not the first tool to reach for when they need to address pain, limited range of motion, or even the onset of diseases such as arthritis. There are many pre-surgical treatments that do a wonderful job of reducing or eliminating pain, improving the range of motion and strength in your hands and addressing the early signs and symptoms of a disease. Those include:

While these treatments help millions of people overcome pain, limited range of motion and disease, they may not be appropriate for your case, or sometimes they are not enough.

When You May Need Hand Surgery

Our Jacksonville orthopedic surgeons are each a hand surgery specialist and they practice from the perspective that every patient is unique, and so are their healthcare challenges. For that reason, surgery may or may not be the best option for you. Reach out to our Jacksonville orthopedic unit with questions or to schedule an initial exam.

  • Trauma: Hand surgery following trauma is common. Broken fingers, a broken wrist, crushing injuries, traumatic amputations are all examples of when hand surgery is part of emergency care.
  • Post Trauma Recovery: Sometimes surgery is not possible at the time of trauma and must be part of the follow-up care for recovery. At other times, emergency care needs to be corrected with hand surgery to ensure that long-term use of your hand is as natural as possible.
  • Joint Replacement: Replacement of the wrist joint is an option when arthritis advances to the point where:
    • The wrist become locked
    • There is limited range of motion
    • Is severe pain or weakness in the fingers and hand
    • The quality of life of the patient diminishes
  • Disease Impacts Use of the Wrist: The primary disease that affects the wrist is arthritis, but other diseases or conditions also require hand surgery. Those may include birth defects, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and infections.

Many options exist for treating problems with your wrist. The best advice for people who suffer from hand pain, limited range of motion, or weakness in your hand is to talk with a hand surgery specialist who recognizes that your treatment options and condition require a unique and personalized approach to care and treatment.

3 Sprained Ankle Types: Here’s How to Tell Them Apart

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Ankle sprains are common injuries among people of all ages, but that doesn’t mean every sprain is the same. In fact, there are three primary types of sprains. During your initial evaluation, your orthopedic doctor will perform a careful evaluation of your ankle to determine the type and severity of your sprain so your treatment can be customized specifically for your needs.

What is a sprain?

A sprain is an injury that affects a ligament, a strong, fibrous band of tissue that connects one bone to another. Most sprains are caused by twisting movements in the ankle that occur when walking or running or during a fall. Less often, a sprain can be caused by a car accident or other injury caused by a direct blow to the ankle.

Sprained Ankle Types

There are three types of ankle sprains, depending on which ligaments are involved:

  • Inversion sprains are the most common. In an inversion sprain, the ankle is twisted inward and bends or “rolls” on its outer side, stretching the ligaments on the outer portion of the ankle.
  • Eversion sprains occur when the foot and ankle roll or twist in the opposite direction, with the foot twisted outward and away from the other foot, stretching the ligaments on the inside of the ankle.
  • High ankle sprains are the least common of the three sprained ankle types, occurring when the ligaments in the upper portion of the ankle are twisted during rotational movements of the leg and foot.

Understanding the differences between sprained ankle types is very important for determining the best course of treatment, and it’s also important for helping you understand what you can expect during your recovery. If you have ankle pain and swelling, delaying care can result in more serious damage and long-term disability. Take that first step toward better joint health. Call Southeast Orthopedic Specialists at 904-634-0640 and schedule a consultation and evaluation today.

How An Orthopedic Surgeon Can Help You

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Whether arthritis, back pain, sports injuries or overall stiffness, an orthopedic doctor from Southeast Orthopedic Specialists can help treat your pain and discomfort. An orthopedic surgeon is a medical professional that is dedicated to the diagnosing, treating, prevention and rehabilitation of injuries, diseases or disorders relating to the musculoskeletal system. This can include tendons, muscles, nerves, joints, ligaments and bones. Many orthopedists specialize in certain areas, making them more knowledgeable for specific injuries such as hand & wrist or foot & ankle.

We at Southeast Orthopedic Specialists treat patients of all ages. We believe in treating as many conditions as possible without surgery using medication, exercise and other alternative and/or rehabilitative treatments. If necessary, we can recommend surgical treatment for patients who don’t respond to other treatment types.

What can Orthopedic Surgeons Treat

Some of the conditions or diseases that a Jacksonville orthopedic surgeon can treat include:

  • Back pain
  • Sciatica
  • Scoliosis
  • Ruptured discs
  • Bunions
  • Bone tumors
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Fractures
  • Bone abnormalities
  • Sports or work injuries
  • Arthritis
  • Torn ligaments
  • Torn tendons

What to Expect During Your First Visit

During your visit, one of our orthopedic surgeons in Jacksonville Beach Florida will conduct a personal interview on your medical history. From there, they will fully examine you and review any previous testing you may have had done. Next, they will conduct additional diagnostic testing such as blood tests, imaging or X-rays. Most orthopedic conditions or injuries may need more than one form of treatment. One of our medical professionals will discuss their suggested treatment options to determine a plan that works best for them.

Seek Medical Help from a Professional Jacksonville Orthopedic Surgeon Today

We at Southeast Orthopedic Specialists have the experience and success rate that you need to treat your injuries properly. Established in 2001, our 13 board certified physicians have helped a variety of patients at all our six locations. We offer physical therapy at each of our offices to provide the best orthopedic care to our Northeast Florida clientele. Schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic surgeons in Jacksonville Beach FL today by calling 904-634-0640.

How Do I Know If I Really Need a Hand Surgery Specialist?

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A hand fracture and a hand injury that’s going to require surgery are two different things. But how do you know if your particular injury is going to require surgery? The first thing you need to do is contact a hand surgery specialist immediately. Scheduling an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon is the only way to know for sure what the next step will be for getting you on the road to recovery.

Do I Really Need Hand Surgery?

A Jacksonville orthopedic surgeon will assess your hand during an exam by looking for the following:

  • If the bones in your hand are unstable such as in a compound fracture.
  • If there are bones piercing your skin.
  • If the bones are shattered.
  • Look at the position of your fingers.
  • Check the range of motion of your fingers.
  • Determine if you have any numbness in your fingers.
  • Perform X-Rays to finalize the diagnosis

If an orthopedic doctor determines you have an injury versus a hand fracture, you will be given the option of surgery. At which time the orthopedic surgeon will generally implant wires, plates or screws into your hand to hold the bones in place.

Who Can I Call for Information About a Hand Surgery?

Should you require surgery, or would like more information about a hand surgery, please contact one of our Jacksonville orthopedic surgeons today. At Southeast Orthopedic Specialists, we promise to treat you and your injury with all the care and compassion you deserve while taking the time to thoroughly answer all your questions.

What About After Surgery Care?

After your injury has healed, your hand surgery specialist could opt for removing the implants; however, some doctors decide to leave them in place. Going forward, your joints might be stiff from the surgery; therefore, your surgeon will probably have you perform some post-recovery exercises to help restore the strength and range of motion in your hand.

Orthopedic Surgery: Questions to Ask Your Orthopedic Doctor

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We are the orthopedic doctors Jacksonville residents turn to when they need orthopedic specialists that not only have the experience and tools to accurately treat people, but also who care about their patients. Before you choose an orthopedic doctor, you may ask yourself the following questions.

Is Surgery the Best Treatment Option?

Surgery is not always the first treatment options. In fact, our orthopedic doctors design treatment plans based on your unique health challenges and strengths. Other treatments that might precede surgery include:

The idea behind most presurgical treatments is to improve muscle strength, relieve inflammation, and allow the joint or bone time to rest and heal.

What Are the Benefits of This Procedure?

This is a powerful question and one that all of our surgeons welcome. We believe that you the patient are the most important part of your healthcare team. That is why we are happy to discuss with you all of the details of your treatment plan. We want you to make decisions based on all of the important information.

Do the Success Rates of This Surgery Make it Worthwhile?

Sometimes, medical practitioners offer treatments that MIGHT work or might help to relieve symptoms. One of the reasons that we are the orthopedic doctors in Orange Park Florida that residents choose is that we don’t practice medicine with “Might work” in mind. We plan your treatment with you, and we discuss the success rates, treatment options, and outcome expectations with you so that together we form the best plan of care for your unique situation.

If you have a question about treatment options, reach out to our team.

How Long is Recover and What Should I Expect Regarding Improvement?

This is a valuable question for two reasons. First, it allows you to understand what you face and what you should expect. Secondly, the answer to this question allows you and the doctor the understanding of what you will go through as you recover and where along the progress cycle, this procedure will take you.

As you consider surgery, recognize that there are many questions that you should ask your doctor, contact us today!

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