Foot and Ankle Pain and Injury Care
Foot and ankle pain can come from an injury, arthritis, or everyday strain on the joints and tendons that carry you all day. Most problems improve with supportive footwear, orthotics, physical therapy, or injections, and some need surgery. A foot and ankle specialist can pinpoint the cause and guide treatment from the first visit through full recovery.
At Duly, your care comes from orthopedists, podiatric foot & ankle surgeons, and physical therapists working as one team. You get on-site imaging, custom orthotics, a full range of treatments from ingrown toenails to total ankle replacement, and surgery options that fit your life, including same-day outpatient procedures at our award-winning surgery centers.
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Do I need to see a doctor for foot or ankle pain?
See a doctor if foot or ankle pain lasts more than a few days, keeps coming back, or changes how you walk. Foot and ankle problems can start suddenly with a twist or a fall, or build slowly from arthritis, overuse, or the shape of your foot.
Symptoms to watch
- Pain that does not improve with rest, ice, or over-the-counter medicine
- Heel pain with your first steps in the morning
- Swelling or bruising after a twist or fall
- An ankle that feels weak, gives way, or keeps spraining
- A bunion, toe, or arch that is changing shape
- Numbness, burning, or tingling in your foot or toes
- A sore or wound on your foot that is slow to heal, especially with diabetes
Common causes
- Injuries from sports, missteps, and falls, like sprains and fractures
- Arthritis and joint wear that builds over time
- Overuse of the tendons and heel, like plantar fasciitis and tendinitis
- Foot structure, like bunions, flat feet, and hammertoes
- Diabetes, which can affect circulation and feeling in the feet
A note on emergencies: if your foot or ankle looks deformed after an injury, you cannot put any weight on it, or you have signs of a spreading infection like redness, warmth, or fever, especially if you have diabetes, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. For urgent injuries that are not emergencies, our immediate care centers can often see you the same day.
What does my care journey look like?
Foot and ankle care at Duly follows a clear path, and every step is tailored to you. Here is what to expect from your first appointment through recovery.
01 Schedule an appointmentSchedule online or by phone. Many patients are seen within days.
02 Meet with a foot specialistStart with a Podiatrist or Orthopedic foot & ankle specialist, or Non-Operative Orthopedic Specialist for evaluation of foot and ankle conditions.
03 Imaging, if neededX‑ray helps confirm the cause, and some conditions call for an MRI. Many of our locations offer imaging on site, often the same day.
04 Review your treatment planYour specialist walks you through your options, and you decide on next steps together.
05 Start treatmentTreatment may include physical therapy and image-guided injections when appropriate. If surgery is needed, a Foot & Ankle Specialist can provide comprehensive surgical care.
06 Surgery, when appropriateIf surgery is the best option, our surgeons use the least invasive approach possible, from bunion surgery to ankle replacement, often as same-day outpatient procedures.
07 Recovery and rehabilitationOur physical therapists guide your recovery with exercises that rebuild strength, balance, and a steady stride.
08 Return to the activities you loveThe goal is not just less pain. It is getting back to what moves you.
What conditions do you treat?
We treat the full range of foot and ankle conditions, from heel pain and bunions to fractures and arthritis. Here are the most common, grouped by how they usually show up.
Heel and arch pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Heel spurs
- Flatfoot and fallen arches
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Tendon problems
- Achilles tendon disorders
- Peroneal and posterior tibial tendon disorders
- Foot and ankle tendinitis
Injuries
- Ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability
- Foot and ankle fractures
- Lisfranc (midfoot) injuries
- Sports injuries/sprains
Toe and forefoot problems
- Bunions
- Hammertoes and claw toes
- Great toe arthritis
- Neuromas (Morton’s neuroma)
Arthritis
- Ankle arthritis
- Midfoot arthritis
- Rheumatoid foot deformities
Skin, nail, and diabetic foot care
- Ingrown toenails
- Nail fungus and warts
- Diabetic foot care and wound care
What are the treatment options for foot and ankle pain?
Most people feel better without surgery. When surgery makes sense, our podiatric foot & ankle surgeons offer advanced options, from bunion correction to total ankle replacement, often done the same day.
Non-surgical
- Custom orthotic therapy
- Supportive footwear guidance
- Bracing, casting, and walking boots
- Physical therapy and strengthening
- Activity modification
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Cortisone injections
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
- Nail and skin treatments, including ingrown toenail care
- Diabetic foot care and wound care
Surgical
- Bunion surgery
- Hammertoe correction surgery
- Neuroma surgery
- Surgery for great toe arthritis
- Ankle arthroscopy
- Ankle ligament reconstruction for instability
- Achilles tendon repair
- Foot and ankle fracture surgery
- Ankle fusion and midfoot fusion
- Total ankle replacement
- Reconstructive foot and ankle surgery
Why choose Duly for care?
Because the right specialist matters. Our foot and ankle care is built around matching you with the right expert the first time, close to home.
From orthotics to ankle replacement Every level of care is here, from custom orthotics made for your feet, braces, CAM Boots, to advanced procedures like ankle ligament reconstruction and total ankle replacement.
Award-winning surgical care Our surgery centers in Westmont and Lombard were named among the Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers for Orthopedics & Spine by U.S. News & World Report in 2026. Learn more about our ASCs
Expert surgery, without the hospital price Because many of our procedures happen at an ambulatory surgery center instead of a hospital, the same surgery typically costs 20 to 40% less, which often means lower out-of-pocket costs for you.
Care for every stage is under one roof: podiatric foot and ankle surgeons, custom orthotics, imaging, wound care, and physical therapy, coordinated by one team across the Chicago suburbs.
Who will treat my foot or ankle?
Your care team is matched to your needs. Depending on your condition, you may see a podiatric foot and ankle surgeon, an orthopedic surgeon, or a physical therapist, and they work together on your plan.
Where can I get foot and ankle care?
We offer foot and ankle care across the Chicago suburbs, with podiatrists at more than a dozen locations, on-site imaging and physical therapy at many offices, and outpatient surgery at our Ambulatory Surgical Centers.
Frequently asked questions about care
Should I see a podiatrist or an orthopedic doctor for foot and ankle pain?
We have board-certified podiatric foot & ankle surgeons and orthopedic surgeons; some have even completed additional fellowship training in lower extremity/foot & ankle surgery. Schedule with either and our team will route you to the right specialist.
Why does my heel hurt with the first steps in the morning?
Sharp heel pain with your first steps, which eases as you move, is the classic sign of plantar fasciitis. It happens when the band of tissue along the bottom of your foot gets irritated. Most cases improve with stretching, supportive shoes, orthotics, and physical therapy, without surgery.
Is my ankle sprained or broken?
It can be hard to tell, because both cause pain, swelling, and bruising. Trouble putting any weight on the foot, pain directly on the bone, or a foot that looks out of place all point toward a fracture and deserve prompt care. An exam and an X‑ray can settle it, and our orthopedic immediate care can often see you the same day.
Will I need foot or ankle surgery?
Most foot and ankle problems do not need surgery. Many people feel better with orthotics, supportive footwear, bracing, physical therapy, or injections. Surgery is usually considered when a deformity keeps getting worse, an injury needs repair, or non-surgical care has not worked. A specialist can tell you where you stand after an exam and imaging.
Can I get a second opinion on a foot or ankle diagnosis or surgery recommendation?
Yes. You can schedule with a Duly foot and ankle specialist for a second opinion at any point, even if your diagnosis came from another health system. Bring any recent imaging, test results, visit notes, or surgery recommendations so your specialist can give you the most informed answer.
Ready to get back on your feet?
Whether it is morning heel pain, a stubborn bunion, or an ankle that keeps giving way, our foot and ankle team will help you move comfortably again.
