Emergency Response Specialist

How do I know it’s an emergency?

Some ankle and foot injuries obviously require emergency treatment, such as a compound ankle fracture that shows an obvious deformity and bone coming through the skin. But patients are sometimes hesitant to call it an emergency if a broken ankle or foot isn’t obvious. You may try to self-diagnose by determining whether you can move your ankle or wiggle your toes. Neither is a reliable indicator of the health of your ankle or foot.

Generally, you can classify a foot or ankle injury as an emergency needing immediate attention if you notice:

• Pain, bruising, or severe swelling
• Bleeding
• Numbness or loss of sensation in the region
• Changes in the color of your foot or ankle
• Noticeable deformity or dislocation
• Inability to bear weight on the extremity    

What other conditions should I consider an emergency?

Some emergencies take time to develop, such as an infection after sustaining a wound to the foot or after a surgical procedure. Call the office immediately if you notice any redness, puffiness, increased pain, malodorous drainage, or other signs of infection at a wound or surgical site.

Other podiatric emergencies include:

• Red streaks on toes, foot or ankle associated with pain or swelling
• Sudden numbness or loss of sensation in toes, feet or ankles
• Cuts, burns, or other injuries of the toes, feet or ankles
• Symptoms of toe, foot, or ankle sprain

National Foot & Ankle Center ER has an emergency response system in place 24/7 so feel free to contact us outside of office hours. Your health and well being are important to us.

What if I become ill at your office?

Patients seeking podiatric care often have complex medical histories that include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other serious conditions. For this reason, we keep detailed and accurate records regarding patients’ overall health, medical history, and current medication lists to be better equipped to treat you as well as provide care when necessary until an ambulance arrives. Along with our board-certified podiatrists, National Foot & Ankle Center is also certified in advanced cardiac life support, basic life support, and pediatric advanced life support.