Foot and ankle injuries such as sprains, strains, fractures, Achilles tendon injuries, and plantar fasciitis are common and very treatable with prompt care. At New Mexico Foot & Ankle Institute in Albuquerque, our sports medicine podiatrists diagnose the injury accurately and build a recovery plan around your activity and goals, using conservative care first and surgery only when it is truly needed.

After an injury, prompt and professional treatment makes a real difference, both in preventing a minor problem from becoming serious and in helping you return to activity sooner. Our Albuquerque podiatrists treat athletes and active adults from across the metro area, with on-site digital X-rays and same-day or next-day appointments available for urgent injuries.

Schedule Your Injury Evaluation

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Urgent Injury? If you cannot put weight on your foot or ankle, the joint looks deformed, or you have severe swelling or numbness, contact our office right away. We offer same-day and next-day appointments for urgent injuries. If you have diabetes or poor circulation, have any foot injury checked promptly to protect your foot health.

Foot and Ankle Injuries We Treat

We provide care for the full range of foot and ankle injuries, from everyday sprains to sports injuries and complex fractures. Here are some of the most common injuries we treat.

Sprains and Strains

A strain is a stretch or tear of a muscle or tendon, and a sprain is a stretch or tear of the ligaments that connect bones at a joint. Although often considered minor, sprains and tendon injuries need proper evaluation and treatment to heal fully and avoid becoming a recurring problem.

Fractures and Stress Fractures

Falls, impacts, and accidents can break bones in the foot or ankle. We also treat stress fractures, which are thin cracks that develop from overuse, along with toe and metatarsal fractures.

Achilles Tendon Injuries

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. A sudden increase in activity can lead to Achilles tendonitis, microscopic tearing, or in severe cases a complete rupture. You can read more about how Achilles injuries develop in our library.

Plantar Fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. When it becomes irritated, it can cause sharp heel pain that is often worse with the first steps in the morning. Learn more about heel pain and plantar fasciitis treatment.

Peroneal and Other Tendon Injuries

Tendons that run along the outside of the ankle can be injured by a sprain or overuse. Our podiatrists evaluate and treat peroneal tendon injuries and other tendon problems that cause ankle pain and instability.

Ball-of-Foot Injuries

Pain in the ball of the foot can come from overuse conditions such as a Morton's neuroma, sesamoiditis, or bursitis. An accurate diagnosis is important because these conditions are treated differently.

Dislocations

A dislocation, where a bone shifts out of place, is a serious injury that needs prompt treatment and skilled follow-up care to protect function and mobility.

Lacerations and Contusions

Cuts and bruises on the foot may seem minor but can need special care to prevent infection and support healing, especially for patients with diabetes or other health concerns.

When to Seek Care After an Injury

Some injuries can wait for a regular appointment, while others need prompt attention. Contact our office, or seek urgent care, if you notice:

  • Inability to put weight on the foot or ankle
  • Severe pain, swelling, or bruising
  • A foot or ankle that looks bent or out of place
  • Numbness, tingling, or a cold or pale foot
  • An open wound or a cut that will not stop bleeding
  • Pain that is not improving after a few days of rest and home care

If you have diabetes or poor circulation, have any foot injury evaluated quickly, since small problems can progress faster.

How We Diagnose Foot and Ankle Injuries

Because injuries that feel similar can need very different treatment, an accurate diagnosis comes first. Your visit typically includes:

  • Injury history: We review how the injury happened, your symptoms, and your activity level and goals.
  • Physical examination: We check the foot and ankle for tenderness, swelling, stability, and range of motion.
  • On-site digital X-rays: Imaging in our office helps identify fractures and rule out other causes of pain right away.
  • A clear treatment plan: We explain the diagnosis in plain language and recommend the most effective treatment for your injury and recovery goals.

Treatment Options We Offer

Your treatment depends on the type, location, and severity of the injury. We base the plan on your needs and on current research, and we may recommend:

  • R.I.C.E.: Rest, ice, compression, and elevation help minor injuries heal and support recovery from more serious ones.
  • Immobilization: Taping, a walking boot, or a cast protects the foot or ankle so it can heal properly.
  • Custom orthotics: Custom orthotics support healing and help prevent reinjury by correcting the mechanics behind many overuse injuries.
  • MLS laser therapy: MLS laser therapy is a painless, drug-free option that reduces pain and inflammation and supports tissue healing.
  • Shockwave therapy: Shockwave therapy can help stubborn tendon and soft-tissue injuries that have not responded to other care.
  • Surgery: When an injury is severe or does not respond to conservative care, our foot and ankle surgeons perform both open and minimally invasive procedures.

Why Choose New Mexico Foot & Ankle Institute?

Patients and athletes across the Albuquerque metro area trust us with their injury care because we combine accurate diagnosis with a full range of treatment options and prompt access to care.

  • Experienced doctors: Our podiatrists are extensively trained in foot and ankle care, with more than 100 years of combined experience.
  • On-site diagnostics: Digital X-rays and advanced diagnostic tools let us evaluate your injury during your visit.
  • Advanced treatment options: As a private practice, we offer a wide range of care, including MLS laser therapy, shockwave therapy, custom orthotics, and minimally invasive surgery.
  • Prompt appointments: We offer same-day or next-day appointments for urgent injuries and typically see other patients within a week.
  • Patient education: We explain your diagnosis and recovery plan clearly so you know exactly what to do at each step.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see a podiatrist for a foot or ankle injury?

See a podiatrist if you cannot bear weight, if pain, swelling, or bruising does not improve within a few days, if the foot or ankle looks deformed, or if a sprain keeps recurring. Prompt care helps prevent a minor injury from becoming a lasting problem.

How do I know if my ankle is sprained or broken?

A sprain and a fracture can feel similar, with pain, swelling, and bruising. Signs that point to a possible break include being unable to put weight on the foot, pain directly over a bone, or a visible deformity. An X-ray is the only reliable way to tell, so it is best to have the injury evaluated.

How long does an ankle sprain take to heal?

A mild ankle sprain often improves within one to three weeks, while moderate to severe sprains can take several weeks to a few months. Proper evaluation, rest, and a guided return to activity help you recover fully and lower the risk of reinjury.

What should I do right after a foot or ankle injury?

Start with R.I.C.E.: rest the injury, apply ice, use compression, and elevate the foot. Avoid putting weight on it if that causes sharp pain, and have it evaluated if symptoms do not improve quickly or you cannot walk on it.

Can a podiatrist treat sports injuries?

Yes. Podiatrists diagnose and treat sports-related foot and ankle injuries such as sprains, stress fractures, Achilles tendon injuries, and plantar fasciitis, using both conservative care and surgery when needed to help athletes return to activity safely.

Do all foot and ankle injuries need surgery?

No. Most foot and ankle injuries heal with conservative care such as rest, immobilization, custom orthotics, and advanced therapies like MLS laser or shockwave therapy. Surgery is reserved for severe injuries or those that do not respond to non-surgical treatment.

Our Albuquerque Location

New Mexico Foot & Ankle Institute provides expert foot and ankle injury and sports medicine care at our Northeast Heights office, serving patients throughout Albuquerque and the surrounding metro area.

Northeast Heights Location

Address: 4343 Pan American Fwy NE, Ste 234, Albuquerque, NM 87107
Phone: (505) 880-1000
Services: Sprain and strain care, fracture and stress fracture care, Achilles and tendon injury treatment, plantar fasciitis care, custom orthotics, MLS laser and shockwave therapy, foot and ankle surgery, and same-day urgent injury appointments

Our Northeast Heights podiatrists serve patients throughout the Albuquerque area in a modern, comfortable setting with on-site digital X-rays.

Communities We Serve

  • Albuquerque
  • Rio Rancho
  • Corrales
  • Bernalillo
  • The greater Albuquerque metro area

Schedule an Appointment for Foot and Ankle Injury Care in Albuquerque

If a foot or ankle injury is keeping you off your feet, our podiatrists can help. We will diagnose the injury, explain your options, and get you on the fastest safe path back to activity. Call (505) 880-1000 or complete our online form to schedule at our Albuquerque office, and ask about same-day appointments for urgent injuries.

Schedule Your Injury Evaluation

Call (505) 880-1000 to schedule at our Albuquerque office.