Los Angeles Foot and Ankle Pain & Injury Doctor
Foot or ankle pain making every step difficult? Our fellowship-trained Los Angeles specialists pinpoint the cause and provide personalized treatment to help you move comfortably again.
Fellowship-Trained Orthopaedic Specialists
Experienced in Sports and Joint Injuries
Serving Los Angeles & Orange County
Dr. Tracey Didinger, MD
Know What's Wrong
A hands-on exam and imaging confirm the injury.
Relief Without Surgery
Therapy, bracing, and injections ease most foot and ankle pain.
Get Your Strength Back
Small-incision repair rebuilds torn tendons and ligaments.
Our Marina del Rey Office
-
4551 Glencoe Ave, Ste 145
Marina del Rey, CA 90292 - (562) 732-4578
- Mon-Fri 8am to 4:30pm
Specialized Foot and Ankle Pain Care in Los Angeles
Foot and ankle pain isn’t the same for everyone. A weekend runner and an office worker can feel one ache that traces back to two causes. Guessing rarely gets you anywhere.
A fellowship-trained specialist examines your foot and ankle and orders the right imaging. X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds show what’s happening inside the joint.
You walk away with a clear diagnosis and a treatment plan suited to your foot and ankle.
Most patients start with nonsurgical care. The doctors recommend surgery only when your injury calls for it.
Signs You Should See a Foot and Ankle Specialist
Some foot and ankle aches fade with rest and ice. Others are your body asking for help.
Schedule a consultation if any of these sound familiar:
Pain when you walk, stand, push off, or bear weight
You can't fully move or flex the ankle
Pain that bothers you at rest or at night
Swelling, bruising, or an ankle that gives out under you
Numbness or tingling in your foot or toes
Pain that's built up over weeks
The sooner you get an injury checked, the better it tends to heal. Early treatment can keep a minor problem from turning into a serious one.
How We Find the Cause of Your Foot and Ankle Pain
Symptom and History Review
Your specialist asks when your pain started and which motions trigger it. You’ll explain how the foot and ankle feel when you walk, stand, or move through your day.
Hands-On Exam
We check your range of motion, stability, swelling, and tender areas. Those details lead us to the injured tissue.
Advanced Imaging
When the exam calls for it, X-rays check for fractures, and an MRI shows the soft tissue. The right scan confirms the source of the pain.
Personalized Diagnosis and Plan
You leave with a confirmed diagnosis and a clear recovery timeline. Your doctor tailors the treatment to your age, activity level, and goals.
Common Foot and Ankle Conditions We Treat
These are the foot and ankle problems patients ask about most.
Ankle Sprains and Instability
Ankle Sprains and Instability A rolled or twisted ankle stretches and tears the ligaments on the outside of the joint, the lateral side, which is the most common type. Repeat sprains can leave the ankle loose and prone to giving way.
Achilles Tendon Injuries
Achilles Tendon Injuries The Achilles tendon can become inflamed or tear from running, jumping, or a sudden push off. You may feel pain and stiffness in the back of the heel and struggle to push off or stand on your toes.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar Fasciitis This causes sharp pain at the bottom of the foot near the heel from inflammation of the tissue along the sole. The first steps in the morning usually hurt the most.
Fractures and Stress Fractures
Fractures and Stress Fractures A fall, twist, or repeated impact can crack a bone in the foot or ankle. Expect swelling, bruising, and pain when bearing weight. Most heal with casting or bracing, and only displaced or unstable fractures need surgery.
Tendonitis and Overuse Injuries
Tendonitis and Overuse Injuries Repeated motion inflames the tendons around the foot and ankle. Running, jumping, and long hours on your feet all add to this strain.
Arthritis and Stiffness
Arthritis and Stiffness Old injuries or wear over time can leave the foot and ankle stiff and sore. A specialist finds the reason and helps restore your motion.
Foot and Ankle Injuries from Sports, Work, and Repetitive Use
Most foot and ankle pain builds up slowly from repeating the same motion every day. A trusted foot and ankle specialist in Los Angeles can trace your pain back to its source.
Sports Injuries
Running, jumping, and quick cuts put heavy stress on the foot and ankle. Runners, basketball players, and soccer players often sprain ligaments or strain tendons.
Work-Related Strain
Long hours on your feet can wear the foot and ankle down before you notice. Nurses, servers, and construction workers stand and move all day, which irritates the tendons.
Everyday Wear and Tear
You don’t need to be an athlete to hurt your foot or ankle. A misstep off a curb or worn-out shoes can trigger the same overuse pain.
Treatment Options for Foot and Ankle Pain and Injuries
Your treatment depends on how serious your pain or injury is.
-
Rest, Bracing, and Activity Changes
Sometimes the foot and ankle need a break from what's hurting them. Bracing, supportive footwear, and small changes to how you move can calm the pain. - Physical Therapy Targeted exercises rebuild strength and bring back motion. The staff coordinates your therapy so each session helps you improve.
-
Image-Guided Injections
Injections lower inflammation right where it's causing trouble. The doctor uses imaging to place each one in the exact spot. -
Regenerative Medicine
Some patients respond well to PRP injections, which use your own blood to help the body heal itself. These options can support recovery without an operation.
Conservative and Advanced Orthopaedic Care
Treatment starts simple and steps up only when your foot and ankle need more.
-
Nonsurgical Care First
Most foot and ankle problems get better without surgery. The doctors try conservative care before they talk about an operation. -
Minimally Invasive Ankle Arthroscopy
When surgery is needed, the doctor keeps the incisions small. A tiny camera goes in through openings under one centimeter to guide the repair. -
Specialist-Level Surgical Care
A deep knowledge of foot and ankle anatomy keeps the procedure safe. In a specialist's hands, the risk stays low, and recovery follows a clear timeline.
Why Choose Advanced Orthopaedic Care?
Picking the right doctor for your foot and ankle shouldn’t feel like a gamble. Here’s what patients count on from our foot and ankle specialists:
- Fellowship-trained orthopaedic specialists
- Clear diagnoses backed by X-ray, MRI, and ultrasound
- Nonsurgical care first, with surgery only when you need it
- Minimally invasive techniques for a quicker recovery
- One team for sports medicine and joint care
- Trusted by athletes, active adults, and working professionals throughout LA
Our specialists treat feet and ankles every day, so they know how to treat your pain and mend your injury. You get that experience at every visit to Advanced Orthopaedic Care.
Hear From Our Patients
FAQs About Los Angeles Foot and Ankle Pain & Injury Doctor
What kind of doctor treats foot and ankle pain?
Orthopaedic specialists treat foot and ankle pain and injuries. They examine the joint, order imaging, find the cause, and plan your treatment.
Do I need surgery for foot and ankle pain?
Usually not. Most foot and ankle problems improve with rest, therapy, bracing, or injections. Surgery comes up only when those don’t bring relief.
Can a sprained ankle heal on its own?
Mild sprains often settle with rest, ice, compression, and activity changes. An ankle that stays swollen, painful, or keeps giving out needs a specialist.
Is ankle arthroscopy safe?
Yes, when a specialist performs it. The small incisions and a doctor’s knowledge of foot and ankle anatomy keep the risk low.
How long is the recovery after foot and ankle treatment?
It depends on your condition and treatment. Nonsurgical care can bring relief in weeks. Surgery follows a recovery timeline set by your doctor.
Schedule a Foot and Ankle Pain Consultation in Los Angeles
Foot and ankle pain that lingers usually points to something a specialist should check. Putting it off can worsen your pain and injury.
Booking your visit is quick and easy. You’ll get straight answers, a clear plan, and specialists who treat what’s actually causing your pain.