Foot and Ankle Injuries in Goodyear, AZ
Sprained your ankle. Stepped wrong off a curb. Felt something pop during a game. Foot and ankle injuries need a doctor who can examine you, image you, and start the right treatment the same week. Foot Envy sees urgent and acute injuries on a same-week basis, with in-office digital X-ray so imaging happens during your visit.
Dr. Craig Udall, DPM is fellowship trained in foot and ankle care and treats sports injuries, fractures, sprains, and tendon problems for patients across the West Valley. Same-week visits. Se habla español.
When to Go to the ER vs. When to Call Us
Most foot and ankle injuries do not need an emergency room. They need a podiatrist who can image, diagnose, and treat. But some injuries are serious and need 911 or the ER right away. Use this as a quick guide.
Call 911 or go to the ER if you have any of these after an injury
A bone is visibly out of place or sticking through the skin.
The foot or ankle looks deformed compared to the other side.
Severe bleeding that will not stop with pressure.
No feeling or no blood flow to the foot (the foot is cold, blue, or numb).
Severe pain that gets dramatically worse instead of slowly better.
Loss of consciousness from a head injury that happened with the fall.
Call us for a same-week visit for everything else
A painful sprained ankle that is making it hard to walk.
A toe, foot, or ankle that you suspect might be fractured.
Pain after a sports injury that is not improving over a few days.
A pop or snap you felt in your ankle, foot, or Achilles.
Any injury that has not improved or has gotten worse after 48 hours of rest, ice, and elevation.
We can usually see urgent foot and ankle injuries within a few days, sometimes the same day. Call us at 623-335-4017 to book.
What to Do Right Now If You Just Got Hurt
If you have just injured your foot or ankle, here is what to do in the first few hours.
Protect the foot. Do not try to walk on it if walking is painful. Stay off the affected leg.
Apply ice. 15 to 20 minutes at a time, several times in the first day. Put a thin towel between the ice and your skin to prevent frostbite. Do not put ice directly on bare skin.
Compress. A snug elastic bandage can reduce swelling. Do not wrap so tight that the toes turn blue or feel numb.
Elevate. Keep the foot above the level of your heart whenever you can during the first 24 to 48 hours. Elevation significantly reduces swelling.
Avoid heat, alcohol, and aggressive massage in the first 48 hours. All three can make swelling worse.
Then call us. The sooner we examine and image the injury, the better the odds of catching anything serious early. Many injuries that look simple turn out to need specific treatment that we can start during your visit.
Sprained Ankle vs. Broken Ankle: How to Tell
It is the question most patients have within an hour of injuring their ankle. The honest answer is that it can be hard to tell without an X-ray, but there are signs that point one way or the other.
Signs that suggest a sprain
- Pain mostly along the outside or inside ligaments of the ankle, not directly on the bone.
- Swelling that develops gradually over an hour or two.
- You can put some weight on the foot, even if it is painful.
- Pain that improves with rest and ice.
- The ankle is mobile, just sore and unstable.
Signs that suggest a fracture
- Sharp pain directly on a bone, like the bony bump on the outside or inside of the ankle.
- Rapid swelling, often within minutes of the injury.
- You cannot bear any weight on the foot.
- A grinding sensation when you move the foot.
- The ankle looks deformed or out of position.
- Pain that does not improve over a few hours.
The Ottawa Ankle Rules are a standard medical guideline used in emergency rooms and clinics. They say that if you have ankle pain plus an inability to bear weight immediately and again four steps at the time of evaluation, or tenderness on specific bony landmarks, X-rays are recommended.
You do not need to figure this out on your own. Call us at 623-335-4017 for a same-week visit with in-office X-ray. If we determine it is a fracture, we start treatment the same day.
Common Foot and Ankle Injuries We Treat
Sprained ankles
The most common foot or ankle injury we see. A sprain happens when the ligaments that hold the ankle joint together stretch or tear, usually from rolling the ankle inward. Sprains are graded 1, 2, or 3 depending on severity. Most respond well to rest, immobilization, ice, and a gradual return to activity. Severe sprains sometimes need bracing or, rarely, surgery.
Foot and ankle fractures
A break in any of the 26 bones of the foot or the bones of the ankle. The most common include the 5th metatarsal fracture (often called a Jones fracture), ankle fractures from rolling, and stress fractures from overuse. Diagnosis usually requires X-ray, which we do in-office. Treatment depends on the location and severity and ranges from a walking boot to surgery for severe breaks.
Stress fractures
Tiny hairline cracks in a bone caused by repeated stress over time. Common in runners, military service members, and active adults who increase their activity quickly. Stress fractures often do not show up on initial X-rays and may need MRI. Treatment is rest, sometimes a walking boot, and a gradual return to activity.
Achilles tendon injuries
The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. It can develop tendinitis from overuse, or rupture suddenly during sports. An Achilles rupture often feels like being kicked in the back of the leg and is followed by an inability to push off the foot. Ruptures need prompt evaluation and may need surgery.
Plantar plate tears
The plantar plate is a ligament under the ball of the foot, most often involved at the second toe. Tears cause pain at the ball of the foot and sometimes a visible drift of the toe. Treatment is usually conservative with taping, custom orthotics, and activity modification.
Turf toe
A sprain of the big toe joint caused by hyperextending the toe, common in football, basketball, soccer, and other field sports. Treatment is usually rest, ice, and immobilization, with a gradual return to play.
Jones fractures (5th metatarsal)
A specific fracture at the base of the bone on the outside of the foot. Jones fractures are slower to heal than most foot fractures and often need a walking boot for 6 to 8 weeks. Severe cases need surgery.
Lisfranc injuries
A more involved injury to the midfoot that can be missed on initial X-rays. Lisfranc injuries range from sprains to severe fracture-dislocations. Severe Lisfranc injuries often need surgery and prompt evaluation matters.
Heel fractures
A fracture of the calcaneus, usually from a fall from height. Heel fractures are serious injuries that may need surgery and a long recovery period.
Toe fractures
A break in one of the smaller toes, usually from stubbing or dropping something on the foot. Most toe fractures heal with taping and a stiff-soled shoe. A few need more involved care.
Tendon strains and tears
Beyond the Achilles, other tendons in the foot and ankle can be strained or torn, including the posterior tibial tendon, peroneal tendons, and flexor tendons. These often present as pain or weakness on one side of the foot or ankle.
How We Treat Foot and Ankle Injuries
Most injury visits at Foot Envy follow the same pattern. We examine, we image, we diagnose, we treat, and we build a recovery plan with you.
Why Patients See Dr. Udall for Foot and Ankle Injuries
Dr. Udall is fellowship trained in foot and ankle care and treats acute injuries every week. Our in-office digital X-ray means we can image you during your visit rather than sending you elsewhere and waiting days for results. For most injuries, we examine, image, diagnose, and start treatment all in the same appointment.
He is board certified and a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) and the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), with hospital privileges at St. Joseph's Westgate Medical Center for the cases that require surgical care.
Recovery Timelines for Common Injuries
Patients want to know how long they will be out. Here are the typical recovery windows for common injuries. These are ranges. Individual recovery depends on age, overall health, the specific injury, and how well you stick to the plan.
- Grade 1 ankle sprain: 1 to 3 weeks.
- Grade 2 ankle sprain: 3 to 6 weeks.
- Grade 3 ankle sprain: 8 to 12 weeks, sometimes longer.
- Toe fracture: 3 to 6 weeks.
- Stress fracture: 6 to 8 weeks.
- 5th metatarsal (Jones) fracture: 6 to 8 weeks, longer if surgery is needed.
- Lisfranc injury: 8 to 12 weeks, longer with surgery.
- Achilles tendinitis: 4 to 6 weeks for most cases.
- Achilles rupture: 4 to 6 months, longer for return to sport.
- Turf toe: 1 to 6 weeks depending on severity.
- Plantar plate tear: 6 to 12 weeks.
- Heel fracture: 3 to 6 months, often with surgery.
We give you a realistic timeline at your first visit and update it as your healing progresses.
Workplace Injuries and Slip-and-Fall Care
Workplace foot and ankle injuries and slip-and-fall injuries are both common, and they often involve workers' compensation or insurance documentation. We can examine and image the injury during your visit, document the injury for workers' comp or insurance claims, provide work restrictions or return-to-work clearance, and coordinate with case managers when needed.
For our retiree communities in Sun City and Sun City West, slip and fall injuries are especially common. If you have fallen and have any foot or ankle pain, even if you think it is mild, get it checked. Older bones are more likely to have hidden fractures that do not show up immediately as severe pain.
Foot and Ankle Injuries in Veterans and Active-Duty Service Members
Active-duty service members and veterans deal with a different volume of foot and ankle injuries than the general population. The combination of heavy load carriage, repetitive impact, jumps, falls, and combat-related injuries means more sprains, stress fractures, plantar plate problems, and Achilles issues.
Active-duty members with diagnosed acute foot or ankle injuries typically work with their military treatment facility for primary care, with referrals out to civilian podiatry for specialty needs. Foot Envy accepts TRICARE patients for active-duty referrals, dependents, and retired military.
For veterans with service-connected foot or ankle conditions, the VA provides care through VA medical centers and the VA Community Care Network. For veterans without service-connected coverage, we see patients under standard insurance, Medicare, or self-pay.
If you are managing a long-term injury from your service, we provide the conservative care, bracing, custom orthotics, and coordinated specialty care that often makes daily life much better. Call us at 623-335-4017 and we will walk through your options.
Sports Injuries and Return to Play
Sports injuries deserve a specific approach. Athletes need to know when they can return to play, not just when the pain is gone. Returning too early is one of the most common causes of reinjury, sometimes worse than the original injury.
Our return-to-play protocol moves through stages. Each one has to be pain-free before moving to the next.
The stages we look for
- Pain-free walking.
- Pain-free jogging.
- Pain-free running.
- Pain-free sport-specific movement (cutting, jumping, sprinting).
- Pain-free full practice.
- Return to game competition.
Each stage usually takes a few days. Skipping stages or rushing through them is what reinjures the foot or ankle. We work with athletes to make sure they are cleared at each stage before moving to the next.
Frequently Asked Questions About Foot and Ankle Injuries
How do I know if my ankle is broken or sprained?
It can be hard to tell without an X-ray. Signs that suggest a fracture include pain directly on a bone, rapid swelling within minutes, inability to bear any weight, visible deformity, or a grinding sensation. Signs that suggest a sprain include pain along the ligaments, gradual swelling, some ability to bear weight, and pain that improves with rest and ice. Call us for a same-week visit and we will image the injury during your appointment.
How long does an ankle sprain take to heal?
Grade 1 sprains usually take 1 to 3 weeks. Grade 2 sprains take 3 to 6 weeks. Grade 3 sprains take 8 to 12 weeks, sometimes longer. Recovery depends on age, fitness, and how well you stick to the plan.
Do you have in-office X-ray?
Yes. We have in-office digital X-ray, so imaging happens during your visit. You do not have to drive somewhere else and wait days for results.
Do I need an MRI for my injury?
Most foot and ankle injuries can be diagnosed with a good exam and X-ray. MRI is used for specific situations, such as suspected stress fractures that do not show up on X-ray, ligament tears, plantar plate tears, or tendon ruptures. If you need an MRI, we coordinate that referral.
When can I return to running or sports after an ankle injury?
It depends on the severity of the injury and how it heals. We use a stepwise return-to-play protocol that moves from pain-free walking, to jogging, to running, to sport-specific movement, to full practice, to game competition. Each stage usually takes a few days. Skipping stages is the most common cause of reinjury.
Can I drive with a foot or ankle injury?
It depends on which foot. A right-foot injury usually means you should not drive until the pain is gone and the brace or boot is off. A left-foot injury in an automatic vehicle is often fine. We give you specific guidance at your visit.
What is the difference between a stress fracture and a regular fracture?
A regular fracture is a break caused by a single significant force, like a fall or a twist. A stress fracture is a tiny crack in the bone caused by repeated impact over time, common in runners and active adults who increase their activity quickly. Treatment for both involves rest and immobilization, but stress fractures often require longer activity restriction.
Does TRICARE cover injury treatment?
Yes, when medically necessary. We accept TRICARE patients and verify benefits before any work starts.
Does insurance cover injury care?
Yes. Most major insurance plans cover medically necessary foot and ankle injury care, including the exam, imaging, immobilization, and follow-up. We accept Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans.
¿Habla español?
Sí. Dr. Udall y nuestro equipo hablan español con fluidez. Llame al 623-335-4017 para programar una cita.
Related Foot & Ankle Injuries We Treat
Custom Orthotics
Prescription-grade custom foot orthotics designed by Dr. Udall, the West Valley’s dedicated specialist in lower-extremity biomechanics.
Hammer Toes
In-Office Treatment
Conservative care first, with a minimally-invasive in-office procedure for flexible hammer toes when needed. Less downtime than traditional surgery.
Heel Pain &
Plantar Fasciitis
The most common foot pain we see — and the most treatable. Real relief through stretching, custom orthotics, and conservative care.
Drop Foot
Diagnosis, AFO bracing, and rehabilitative care for drop foot. We figure out the cause and build a plan — conservative care first.
Flat Feet
Custom orthotics, supportive bracing, and conservative care for flat feet (pes planus). Veteran and Luke AFB community welcome.
Foot & Ankle Pain
Not sure what’s wrong? Our foot pain triage page helps you identify what you’re feeling — top-of-foot, ball-of-foot, arch, or ankle pain.
Book Your Same-Week Injury Visit
If you have been hurt and you are not sure what is going on, the fastest answer is an in-office exam with X-ray. Dr. Udall will tell you exactly what you are dealing with, lay out the treatment plan, and start the right care during your visit. Most patients leave with a clear diagnosis, the right brace or boot if needed, and a realistic recovery timeline.
