Foot & Ankle
Sutter Orthopaedic Institute

Foot and Ankle Program

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 11 million people visited the doctor in 2003 for problems related to the toes, feet or ankles. It's not surprising when you consider everyday activity places stress on the foot and ankle's 28 bones and connecting tendons, ligaments and muscles - and nearly every sport involves the feet. The feet are also farthest from the heart and spinal column, making them vulnerable to poor circulation and nerve damage.

Patients have a number of options when it comes to caring for the foot and ankle—through Sutter primary care doctors, podiatrists and orthopedic surgeons. Minor conditions can often be treated through primary care physicians. Because foot and ankle complaints cover such a wide spectrum, podiatrists and orthopedic surgeons often concentrate their practices on treating a range of conditions. Sutter primary care physicians can provide guidance and referrals to podiatrists and orthopedic surgeons who focus on the treating specific concerns.

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