Why does my heel hurt the most when I get out of bed in the morning?

Morning heel pain is often linked to plantar fasciitis, a common condition caused by inflammation in the foot’s arch. A podiatrist can help with long-term relief.

Do I need a podiatrist or an orthopedist for foot pain?

Podiatrists are foot and ankle specialists trained to treat everything from skin and nail issues to complex injuries and surgery. NES offers both podiatry and orthopedic care, depending on your needs.

Can a podiatrist help with broken toes or foot fractures?

Yes. NES podiatrists diagnose and treat foot and ankle fractures, offering imaging, bracing, casting, or surgery — all in-house.

How long should I wait before seeing a podiatrist for foot or ankle pain?

If your pain lasts more than a few days or keeps coming back, it’s time to see a podiatrist. NES offers same- and next-day appointments.

Who is the closest podiatrist who can see me today for ankle pain?

NES has multiple Portland-area podiatry locations and often offers same-day appointments. Use our booking tool to find the nearest available provider.

Foot and Ankle Orthopedic Care in Portland

At Northwest Extremity Specialists, we understand how essential your feet and ankles are to your daily life. When pain, injury, or mobility issues arise, our orthopedic specialists are here to provide expert care tailored to your needs. Whether you’re recovering from an acute injury, managing a chronic condition, or exploring treatment options for a deformity, our goal is to restore your comfort, stability, and confidence without surgery whenever possible.

Expert Evaluation and Diagnosis

Every treatment plan starts with a detailed evaluation. Our foot and ankle orthopedic specialists use advanced diagnostic tools and a hands-on approach to identify the root cause of your symptoms. From sports injuries and tendonitis to arthritis and structural deformities, we take the time to understand your condition and your goals.

Conditions We Commonly Treat

Our orthopedic specialists diagnose and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries affecting the foot and ankle, including both acute trauma and overuse injuries. Some of the most common conditions we treat include:

Sprains and Strains

Ligament sprains and muscle or tendon strains are among the most common orthopedic injuries. These may result from sports, falls, or overuse and can lead to swelling, instability, and ongoing discomfort if not properly managed. Our team offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment to restore strength and prevent recurrence.

Fractures and Stress Fractures

We treat everything from clean breaks due to trauma to hairline stress fractures caused by repetitive force. Depending on the severity and location of the fracture, treatment may involve casting, immobilization, or surgical repair to promote optimal healing and avoid complications.

Dislocations

A dislocated foot or ankle bone must be carefully reset and monitored to prevent joint damage. Dislocations often require follow-up imaging and orthopedic care to ensure surrounding ligaments and soft tissues heal properly and that function is restored safely.

Crush Injuries

Severe crush injuries can result in complex fractures and significant soft tissue damage. These cases often require a multidisciplinary approach that may include surgical reconstruction, wound care, and physical therapy to support full recovery.

Tendinitis and Tendon Tears

Tendons like the Achilles and posterior tibial tendon are vulnerable to inflammation, overuse, and tears. We offer advanced treatment options ranging from regenerative therapies and custom bracing to surgical repair for partial or complete ruptures.

Shin Splints

Common among athletes and active individuals, shin splints cause pain and inflammation along the inner shinbone. Left untreated, they can lead to more serious injuries such as stress fractures. We work with patients to relieve symptoms and prevent future occurrences through biomechanical correction and activity modification.

For non-orthopedic conditions like skin and nail disorders, nerve pain, and chronic heel issues, please visit our Podiatry page to explore the full range of podiatric care we offer.

Conservative and Nonsurgical Treatment Options

Whenever possible, we begin with nonsurgical approaches. These treatments are designed to reduce pain, promote healing, and improve function without the need for invasive procedures. Options may include:

Custom orthotics

Improve foot alignment and reduce pressure on painful areas

Physical therapy

Restore strength, flexibility, and balance through guided rehab

Injection therapy

Cortisone or regenerative medicine injections to reduce inflammation

Shockwave therapy

Stimulates healing in damaged tissues

Immobilization

Bracing or casting to stabilize injuries during recovery

Activity modifications

Support healing without interrupting your lifestyle

Our goal is always to resolve your pain in the least invasive way possible. Many patients recover fully without needing surgery.

Advanced Surgical Options When Needed

If conservative treatments are no longer effective or your condition is too severe for nonsurgical care, our board-certified surgeons offer advanced procedures to restore mobility and eliminate pain. Common surgical interventions include:

Tendon or ligament repair
Realignment procedures for bunions, flatfoot, or cavus foot
Joint fusions or replacements for arthritis
Fracture repair and reconstruction
Removal or decompression of neuromas
Minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures

We’ll walk you through all available options and help you plan for surgery only if it’s the most appropriate path forward.

Injury Care for Active Lifestyles

Injuries can happen suddenly or build up over time. Whether it’s a sports-related injury, a work accident, or stress-related damage, we’re equipped to diagnose and treat acute and overuse injuries of the foot and ankle. Our team can help with:

Ankle sprains and ligament tears
Achilles ruptures
Shin splints
Stress fractures
Crush injuries or trauma
Puncture wounds and infections

Prompt care not only accelerates healing but also reduces your risk of complications or long-term damage.

Personalized, Whole-Person Orthopedic Care

At Northwest Extremity Specialists, you’re not just a case or condition—you’re a person with goals, responsibilities, and a life to get back to. From your first consultation to your final follow-up, we focus on personalized, compassionate care grounded in clinical expertise.

Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen. The sooner you seek help, the more options you’ll have. Contact the Portland-area office nearest you or use our online form to schedule a consultation today. We’re here to help you heal, move, and live better.