Foot and Ankle Surgery Services

The Rush Approach to Foot and Ankle Care

When you suffer from foot or ankle pain, it can literally affect every step you take. And there are many potential causes, from orthopedic issues like arthritis, fractures and tendon injuries, to problems with circulation or nerves.

Rush orthopedic surgeons and podiatrists specialize in pinpointing the underlying cause of your foot or ankle pain, then work with you to develop a treatment plan to relieve your symptoms and improve as much function as possible.

Our team includes physician assistants, specialty nurses, rehabilitation therapists and pain management specialists — all focused on supporting and educating you throughout your care.

We also partner with other Rush specialists, like neurologists, vascular surgeons and endocrinologists, as needed, to address broader health conditions like diabetes, peripheral artery disease and nerve damage that affect the feet.

Rush Excellence in Foot and Ankle Care

• Moving foot and ankle care forward: At Rush, foot and ankle care is deeply informed by research, so you can be sure you're getting the most innovative, effective and safe care available. Our experts are committed to advancing care for Achilles tendon injuries, arthritis, bunions and a variety of other conditions. This includes minimally invasive procedures to get you out of the hospital and back to activity sooner, with better function. We also offer clinical trials that give you early access to the latest tests, procedures and pain management protocols.
• Total ankle replacement focus: Ankle fusion effectively relieves pain but can result in loss of function. We have expertise with total ankle replacement surgery — Rush doctors were among the first in Illinois to perform it — as an alternative to fusion. Ankle replacement can both relieve your pain and restore range of motion to help you return to a more active life.
• Biologic foot and ankle treatment: As part of conservative treatment, Rush offers biologic therapies like platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which can help you heal faster and avoid surgery for certain foot and ankle problems — such as Achilles tendon injury, plantar fasciitis, cartilage issues and arthritis.
• Managing surgical pain with less medication: Studies have shown that if patients can get through the first two days after surgery without pain, they experience far less pain and need less pain medication overall. At Rush, we're committed to keeping you as pain-free as possible. For instance, at Rush University Medical Center, you'll receive an in-dwelling catheter that provides pain relief for up to 48 hours after surgery; the standard pain blocks used at most centers wear off after 12 to 24 hours.
• Standing CT scans for better surgical results: Rush University Medical Center was the first academic medical center in Illinois to perform standing CT scans. Being able to take images of the foot while you are standing gives us a more accurate picture of how your foot is aligned when you are putting weight on it. Using that information to plan your surgery and evaluate how you are recovering helps you achieve a better long-term outcome.