Ankle Doctor

At University Orthopaedic Surgeons, we are committed to providing the foot and ankle care patients need to excel. We proudly serve our communities in Knoxville, Sevierville, and the surrounding areas with specialized and compassionate care from our highly trained and skilled doctors, surgeons, and staff. 

Pain in your ankle can make it challenging just to get up on your feet, much less carry out your everyday responsibilities. Ankle pain can stem from many different factors, not the least of which is a sports-related injury. The good news is that with the proper treatment and care, even a serious ankle injury can be remedied. The first step toward lasting relief is seeing an ankle specialist, who can diagnose and evaluate your pain and recommend a treatment plan.

The orthopaedic foot and ankle doctors at University Orthopaedic Surgeons are focused on ankle care and can deliver a wide range of treatment options for many different conditions, including some of the most common ankle problems, such as:

  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Ankle sprains
  • Arthritis of the foot or ankle
  • Flat feet
  • Fractures
  • Heel pain
  • Sports-related injuries

When you visit one of our fellowship-trained ankle specialists, you can first expect a thorough physical examination, which may include imaging scans. From there, your doctor will recommend either a nonoperative form of foot care or, for serious issues, surgery. Nonsurgical treatment options may include:

  • Heat, ice, or compression therapy
  • Medication to reduce swelling and inflammation
  • Splints, braces, or orthotic devices
  • Stretching or physical therapy

For some ankle conditions, it may be necessary to discuss surgical solutions. If you are a patient that does require surgery, there will be various options to consider, and your doctor will discuss with you which surgical options would be best. 

Conditions like post-traumatic arthritis and progressive osteoarthritis are often best treated with surgical solutions. The most common treatment for ankle arthritis has been ankle fusion, where the joint is fused to treat and limit inflammation. An alternative to ankle fusion is total ankle replacement surgery, an innovative procedure designed to relieve chronic ankle pain while maintaining joint mobility for natural, pain-free movement. 

Learn More About Ankle Replacement

Visiting a medical doctor is recommended if your ankle condition meets any of these criteria:

  • It does not respond to home remedies after five to seven days
  • You are unable to put any weight on your ankle
  • Your ankle feels wobbly or unstable
  • Your ankle or foot pain keeps you from doing everyday tasks at school or work
  • Your ankle or foot pain prohibits you from sleeping properly
  • Your condition worsens, even with the use of home remedies

Our ankle doctors understand that pain can keep you from living life to the fullest. To schedule an appointment with one of our ankle specialists, call (865) 546-2663 for our UT Research Park and Sevierville offices, (865) 218-9300 for our West Knoxville office, or request an appointment online.

Exceptional Care at University Orthopaedic Surgeons

Our years of experience and advanced training devoted to the care of orthopaedic issues, including those of the ankle, make us who we are, but our compassionate care of our patients is what makes us dedicated to you. Our ankle specialists at University Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dr. Christine Seaworth and Dr. Scott Smith, are unparalleled experts in accurately diagnosing and effectively treating ankle injuries and conditions in a broad range of patients, and they continuously strive to exceed our patients' expectations in the delivery of care.

To consult with a University Orthopaedic Surgeons ankle surgeon, please request an appointment online or call (865) 546-2663 for our UT Research Park and Sevierville offices or (865) 218-9300 for our West Knoxville office.