Ankle

Ankle doctors are medical experts who specialize in treating patients who are experiencing ankle pain. They are trained to evaluate and manage a full range of ankle conditions and injuries.

Because the ankle and foot are closely related, and because ankle issues can sometimes appear at the same time as foot problems, ankle specialists are often able to offer care to patients who are also dealing with foot pain. During an appointment with an ankle doctor, a patient typically begins by describing his or her symptoms, pain, or injury. Some ankle issues may be able to be resolved relatively quickly and without the need for a surgical procedure, while others are more complex and may involve surgery to help restore maximum function.

Should You See an Ankle Doctor?

It may be time to see a doctor if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Ankle collapses
• Ankle feels unsteady
• Ankle is swollen
• Ankle pain is impacting the ability to rotate the foot or use the foot properly
• Heel pain that radiates into the ankle
• Numbness or tingling

These problems may indicate that you are dealing with an ankle injury or condition, such as:

• Achilles tendonitis
• Ankle arthritis
• Ankle fracture
• Deformity
• Flatfoot
• Fracture (big toe, other toes, or the foot itself)
• Sprains
• Tendon or ligament tear
• Twisted ankle

Specialized Ankle Care You Can Trust in Bristol, Elizabethton & Johnson City

At Appalachian Orthopedics, we offer three convenient locations: Bristol Regional Medical Center, Elizabethton, and Johnson City. Our specialty-trained ankle doctors at Appalachian Orthopedics, Dr. Jason Brashear, Dr. Jonathan Clark, Dr. James Goss, Dr. Gabriel Hommel, Dr. Matthew Lamagna, Dr. Bart McKinney, Dr. John Phillips, Dr. Samuel Straus, Dr. Larry Waldrop, and Dr. T. Lisle Whitman, have a full understanding of the ankle's anatomy and are dedicated to delivering an exceptional level of ankle care. They will apply their expertise directly to your situation and can guide you toward treatments that help reduce pain and restore you to optimal health. Our ankle surgeons always carefully consider nonsurgical options first before recommending surgery. Early on, they may take X-rays so they can further study the bone and surrounding structures to determine which nonsurgical treatment may be right for you, such as orthotics or physical therapy. If ankle surgery is ultimately needed, rest assured that our orthopedic experts will use their advanced skills along with our state-of-the-art technology to perform a surgical procedure that can help reduce or eliminate your pain and help you gain the use of your ankle again.

If your ankle pain is keeping you from living an active life, we're proud to offer access to an orthopedic specialist whenever you need it. Schedule an appointment online or call our Bristol Regional Medical Center, Elizabethton, or Johnson City location for a consultation with one of our expert ankle surgeons to diagnose and treat your ankle issue.

For those acute ankle injuries that can't wait, we also offer the following ways to be seen today: 

• Walk into one of our Orthopedic Urgent Care clinics at our Bristol Regional Medical Center or Johnson City office. No appointment needed.
• To be seen by a doctor on the same day, call your desired office.
• Chat with an orthopedic specialist 24/7, 365 days a year with our free OrthoCareNow service.