Trust us to provide the care you need
For pain-free motion and peace of mind, turn to the fellowship-trained foot and ankle specialists at MedStar Orthopaedic Institute. We collaborate with our network of therapists, radiologists, pain management specialists and other providers to treat each patient comprehensively, exhausting all non-surgical options first.
Appointments are available within days, not weeks:
How we can help you.
Fellowship-trained surgeons.
Hear from our patients and experts.
We can treat your injury or condition
Our foot and ankle specialists have the in-depth training and experience to diagnose and treat the simple to the most complex foot or ankle conditions.
The more painful and persistent your foot or ankle issues are, the more you need to see our experts—especially if other treatments have failed.
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A sprain tears the outer supportive ligaments of the ankle and can range from minor to so severe that the ligaments are torn completely, resulting in the ankle feeling loose.If you’ve broken your foot or ankle, treatment depends on the nature of your injury, but may include:
- Splints and casts to keep your bones in the right position as they heal.
- Surgery that restores the proper alignment of the bones by using titanium screws, nails or plates to ensure the bones heal together in proper alignment. A tibial bone graft may be taken from your knee area to be used in conjunction with the screws, nails or plates. Patients generally stay in the hospital for one or two days following this type of surgery.
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Foot and Ankle Arthritis
Treatment for ankle arthritis depends on the type of arthritis you have and its severity. Nonsurgical treatment options may include:- Medication to ease pain and swelling symptoms
- Supportive shoe materials such as orthotics, arch supports or specially designed shoes
- Canes or braces
- Physical therapy
If nonsurgical treatment does not improve your condition, you may need surgery that includes:- Ankle arthroscopy: In this procedure, surgeons insert an arthroscope—a thin, flexible tube—into your joints. The arthroscope uses a small camera to beam images of your joints onto a screen so your surgeons can insert specialized instruments through the arthroscope into your joints to repair any damage.
- Ankle fusion surgery: This procedure fuses two of the ankle bones to remove a problematic joint and minimize pain.
- Ankle replacement surgery or arthroplasty: This procedure replaces the damaged joint with a prosthetic or artificial one. MedStar Georgetown University Hospital is the only major hospital in the region equipped to perform total ankle joint replacement.
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Ankle Instability
Treatment for ankle instability usually depends on the severity of your ankle weakness. Nonsurgical treatment options may include:- Medication to ease pain and swelling symptoms
- Ankle brace to prevent the ankle from giving way and to protect the ankle from further sprains
- Physical therapy and exercises that help support increased ankle strength and ease of movement.
In some cases, nonsurgical treatment does not provide enough relief from ankle instability. If surgery is needed, our team is experienced in the most advanced and innovative surgical procedures. In fact, we specialize in the correction of failed surgery performed at other institutions. -
Bunions
A bunion (hallux valgus) is an inflamed, bony bump that forms at the base of the big toe where it joins with the foot. Bunions result from the big toe pushing against the neighboring toe, forcing the joint of the big toe to swell and bulge out.This common deformity can be caused by wearing shoes that are excessively tight or can develop as a result of a genetic structural defect or a medical condition, such as arthritis.Bunions tend to slowly worsen over time, and, if they become too severe, can hamper the ability to walk, increasing the risk of developing arthritis and/or bursitis.We specialize in treating bunions and many other conditions, including ankle instability and flat feet. -
Women's Foot Health
Women tend to suffer from foot pain more often than men.
Problems often start as a result of the shoes women wear. Wearing high heels and shoes that are too small or too narrow can contribute to a variety of problems, including pelvic issues that affect knees and ankles and knee and ankle sprains. We specialize in treating these injuries and many other conditions, including bunions, ankle instability and flat feet. -
Flat Feet
Treatment for flat feet depends on the symptoms you have, as well as the underlying cause of your flat feet. If you have no symptoms, you do not need any treatment. If you are experiencing pain, we may recommend:- Wearing shoes fit with orthotics or arch supports
- Taking medication, including over-the-counter pain relievers and/or cortisone shots
- Wearing a walking cast or brace
- Physical therapy
If you still experience severe pain after making these changes, we may recommend surgery. Surgery options include:- Fusing the bones together or removing a bone
- Realigning the bones to a healthy position
- Lengthening or replacing a tendon
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Nerve disorders
Nerve disorders that can affect the feet and ankles include:- Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, an inherited disorder that causes severe weakness in the muscles that control your legs and feet. As a result, you can suffer serious foot deformities.
- Polio, a virus that affects the nerves and can cause semi-paralysis or even complete paralysis in the legs.
The multidisciplinary care required for conditions such as these includes:- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Braces
- Orthopedic surgery
Our compassionate staff will help manage all of these services for you and collaborate on your care with any other specialist you need. -
Mortons Neuroma and other conditions
Other foot and ankle conditions include:- Hammer and claw toes are toes that do not have the right shape.
- Neuromas are swollen nerves that commonly affect the ball of the foot causing pain, burning, numbness and tingling.
- Bone spurs develop when the smooth cartilage wears down and the ends of the bone rub together.
Your treatment options include:- Wearing shoes that fit well and comfortably accommodate your pain
- Avoiding high-heeled shoes
- Inserting extra cushioning into your shoes
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers and/or getting cortisone shots
- Physical therapy
- Surgery, including bunionectomy
If you’ve had surgery for any of these conditions elsewhere but are not satisfied with the results, we encourage you to meet our team. We perform many revision foot and ankle surgeries and can help improve your function and reduce your pain, no matter where you were treated previously.
Hear from our patients and experts
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Foot and Ankle Surgery: Ask Dr. Nick Casscells
Dr. Nick Casscells is an orthopaedic surgeon at MedStar Orthopaedic Institute. He is fellowship trained in orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery and has a special interest in sports related injuries, deformities, and arthritic conditions of the foot and ankle. In this video, Dr. Casscells answers commonly asked questions about foot and ankle conditions and treatments.
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Facebook Live: Complex Foot and Ankle Surgery
Watch the replay as we discussed complex foot and ankle conditions with Drs. Walter Hembree and Kathryn O’Connor, orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons.
After a car accident in 2007 left her with severe lower-extremity injuries, Susan Bonhag thought she’d never walk without the assistance of equipment.
As a result of the accident, Susan, a mother of three young children, had extensive damage to both ankles that required complicated reconstruction surgeries and tireless commitment to rehabilitation. Accustomed to living an active lifestyle, she wasn’t ready to accept her new circumstances, but Susan thought she was out of options.