An orthopedic surgeon can evaluate injuries and conditions involving bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and other musculoskeletal structures of the foot and ankle. Seeing an orthopedic surgeon does not automatically mean surgery is required.
Foot & Ankle Treatment in Tampa, FL
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon evaluating and treating ankle sprains, Achilles injuries, plantar fasciitis, fractures, and other causes of foot and ankle pain in Tampa, Florida.
Foot & Ankle Care in Tampa
SunCare Orthopaedics provides orthopedic evaluation and treatment for foot and ankle problems in Tampa, Florida, including ankle sprains, Achilles injuries, plantar fasciitis, and fractures. Phillip A. Pullen, DO evaluates your symptoms, personally reviews available imaging, and considers nonsurgical treatment first when appropriate, with surgery discussed when it becomes the right treatment option.
WHEN TO GET YOUR FOOT OR ANKLE CHECKED
Foot and ankle pain can change every step you take.
Walking, standing, climbing stairs, exercising, working, or simply pushing off the ground can become difficult when the foot or ankle is painful or unstable.
The challenge is that different structures can create very different problems. A ligament sprain, Achilles injury, irritated plantar fascia, or fracture does not follow the same treatment path.
An orthopedic evaluation helps determine what was injured, where the symptoms are coming from, and what treatment is appropriate.
01
Ankle pain or swelling after a twist
A rolled or twisted ankle can stretch or injure the supporting ligaments and may cause pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising, or difficulty bearing weight.
02
Heel pain with the first steps of the day
Pain under or near the heel that is particularly noticeable after rest can occur with plantar fascia irritation and other causes of heel pain.
03
Pain at the back of the heel or ankle
Achilles tendon problems may cause pain, swelling, weakness, or difficulty pushing off during walking, running, or sports.
04
An ankle that keeps giving way
Repeated rolling, instability, or a feeling that the ankle cannot be trusted may warrant evaluation, especially after previous sprains.
05
Pain after a fall or direct injury
Significant pain, swelling, bruising, or difficulty walking after trauma may require evaluation for a foot or ankle fracture or another structural injury.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR SYMPTOMS
The location and pattern of pain can help narrow down the problem.
Heel pain, ankle swelling, instability, difficulty pushing off, and pain after trauma may point toward different structures and require different treatment decisions.
Ankle Sprains
An ankle sprain occurs when ligaments supporting the ankle are stretched or injured. Symptoms can include swelling, tenderness, bruising, pain with movement, and difficulty bearing weight.
Achilles Tendon Injuries
The Achilles tendon plays an important role in pushing the foot downward and pushing off while walking. Injury can cause pain near the back of the ankle or heel and may make walking, running, or standing on the toes difficult.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a common source of heel pain involving the plantar fascia along the bottom of the foot. Symptoms are often affected by walking, standing, activity, and periods of rest.
Foot & Ankle Fractures
Fractures can occur after a fall, twisting injury, direct impact, sports injury, or repetitive stress. Symptoms can include localized pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, and difficulty walking.
Pain location is only part of the diagnosis.
Swelling, stability, tenderness, strength, motion, walking, injury history, and imaging can all help identify the problem.
FOOT & ANKLE EVALUATION
Treatment begins by identifying which structure is causing the problem.
Heel pain, ankle pain, instability, and pain after an injury can come from different bones, ligaments, tendons, or other structures.
At SunCare Orthopaedics, Dr. Pullen reviews how your symptoms started, where you feel the pain, whether an injury occurred, which movements make symptoms worse, and how the problem affects walking and daily activity.
The physical examination may assess tenderness, swelling, motion, stability, strength, and the movements that reproduce symptoms.
Dr. Pullen personally reviews available imaging. If X-rays or MRI are needed, he explains why the study is being recommended and what information it may provide.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Foot and ankle care built around movement and function
The goal is not only to identify where it hurts. Your evaluation should clarify what is causing the symptoms and how the problem is affecting walking, stability, strength, and everyday movement.
Identify the Injured Structure
The evaluation helps distinguish ligament, tendon, heel, bone, and other orthopedic sources of foot or ankle pain.
Walking & Stability Matter
How you walk, bear weight, push off, and control the ankle can provide important information about the condition.
Personal Imaging Review
Dr. Pullen personally reviews available imaging and explains when additional X-rays or MRI may be useful.
Conservative Care First
Bracing, therapy, activity modification, injections, and other nonsurgical measures are considered when appropriate.
A Diagnosis You Understand
Dr. Pullen explains what appears to be causing the symptoms and why the recommended treatment makes sense.
Continuity After Surgery
When surgery is required, the same surgeon who performs your operation sees you during postoperative follow-up.
YOUR FOOT & ANKLE EVALUATION
From painful steps to a clear treatment plan
The process connects your symptoms, injury history, walking pattern, examination findings, and imaging before treatment is selected.
STEP 1
Your History
Discuss when the symptoms started, injuries, activity level, previous sprains, aggravating movements, and how the problem affects walking or exercise.
STEP 2
Foot & Ankle Exam
Dr. Pullen evaluates tenderness, swelling, motion, strength, stability, and other findings relevant to your symptoms.
STEP 3
Imaging Review
Available imaging is personally reviewed. Additional X-rays or MRI may be recommended when they can provide useful diagnostic information.
STEP 4
Diagnosis
The findings are explained in plain language so you understand which structure appears to be causing the symptoms.
STEP 5
Treatment Plan
Nonsurgical treatment is considered first when appropriate, with surgery discussed when it becomes the right treatment option.
FOOT & ANKLE TREATMENT OPTIONS
Treatment should match the injury or condition.
An ankle sprain, Achilles tendon injury, plantar fasciitis, and a fracture are different problems. Treatment depends on the diagnosis, severity, function, and response to appropriate conservative care.
CONSERVATIVE CARE
Nonsurgical Foot & Ankle Treatment
When conservative care has a reasonable chance of helping, treatment may begin without surgery.
Activity modification
Bracing when clinically appropriate
Physical therapy coordination
Injections when clinically appropriate
Monitoring pain, motion, strength, and stability
WHEN APPROPRIATE
Surgical Foot & Ankle Treatment
Surgery may be discussed when the injury or condition cannot be adequately addressed with nonsurgical care or when the clinical situation requires surgical treatment.
Why surgery is being considered
What problem the procedure is intended to address
What recovery may involve
Realistic treatment expectations
Postoperative follow-up with Dr. Pullen
Trouble pushing off can be an important clue.
The Achilles tendon helps generate the push-off motion used when walking, running, and rising onto the toes.
ACHILLES TENDON INJURIES
When pain behind the ankle affects walking and push-off
The Achilles tendon connects the calf region to the heel and plays an important role when you push the foot downward and propel yourself forward.
Achilles injuries can range in severity. Symptoms may include pain or swelling near the heel, difficulty pushing off while walking, or difficulty rising onto the toes. Some acute injuries may be associated with a sudden pop or snapping sensation.
Treatment depends on the nature of the injury, examination findings, function, imaging when needed, and the individual patient's clinical situation.
- Pain near the back of the heel or lower ankle
- Swelling around the Achilles region
- Difficulty pushing off while walking
- Difficulty rising onto the toes
- Sudden pain during running, jumping, or sports
- A pop or snapping sensation during an acute injury
TREATMENT COSTS
What affects the cost of foot and ankle treatment?
There is no single price for treating a foot or ankle problem because a mild sprain, persistent heel pain, Achilles injury, and fracture can require very different care.
Insurance deductibles, copays, coinsurance, network requirements, and authorization rules may also affect out-of-pocket costs.
Orthopedic Evaluation
The initial examination helps establish the likely diagnosis and determine whether imaging or additional treatment is appropriate.
Imaging
X-rays or MRI may affect cost when additional diagnostic information is required.
Conservative Treatment
Bracing, therapy, injections, and other nonsurgical measures can create different costs depending on the condition and treatment plan.
Surgical Treatment
When surgery is appropriate, the procedure, facility, anesthesia, postoperative care, and related services may influence the overall cost.
Insurance Benefits
Coverage and patient responsibility vary depending on the individual's insurance plan.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT LEVEL OF CARE
When does an orthopedic foot and ankle evaluation make sense?
An orthopedic evaluation becomes particularly useful when symptoms persist, walking is affected, the ankle feels unstable, or a structural injury such as a fracture or tendon problem is suspected.
| CARE NEED | SUNCARE ORTHOPAEDICS | SELF-DIRECTED CARE | WALK-IN / URGENT CARE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary goal | Identify the orthopedic cause and create a treatment plan | Manage mild short-term symptoms | Evaluate an acute injury or urgent concern |
| Persistent ankle instability | Evaluation of motion, stability, strength, previous injuries, and relevant imaging | Difficult to determine the underlying problem | May provide initial care or referral |
| Suspected fracture | Orthopedic evaluation and imaging review | Cannot reliably determine fracture severity | Appropriate for many acute injuries requiring prompt initial assessment |
| Persistent heel pain | Examination helps distinguish plantar fascia pain from other possible orthopedic causes | Usually based on symptom response alone | May provide initial assessment if symptoms are acute |
| Achilles tendon symptoms | Evaluation of tendon function, strength, walking, and injury history | Severity can be difficult to determine without an examination | Useful for prompt assessment of sudden injuries |
| Surgical decision-making | Discussed when surgery becomes appropriate | Not available | Typically requires orthopedic follow-up |
Some foot and ankle injuries should not wait for a routine appointment.
Seek prompt medical evaluation after significant trauma if there is an obvious deformity, an open wound over a suspected fracture, severe swelling, inability to safely bear weight, significant numbness, or changes in the color or circulation of the foot. A sudden pop near the Achilles followed by major difficulty walking or pushing off should also be evaluated promptly.
YOUR ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON
Find out what is making every step hurt.
SunCare Orthopaedics provides foot and ankle evaluation and treatment from its Tampa office on West Hillsborough Avenue.
Dr. Phillip A. Pullen reviews your symptoms, injury history, walking limitations, examination findings, and available imaging before explaining the diagnosis and appropriate treatment options.
Nonsurgical care is considered first when appropriate. If surgery becomes the better option, Dr. Pullen explains the procedure, recovery, and realistic expectations before you decide.
Phillip A. Pullen, DO
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
CLINIC
SunCare Orthopaedics
PHONE
TAMPA OFFICE
6911 Pistol Range Rd, Suite 103
Tampa, FL 33635
OFFICE HOURS
Monday to Friday
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
COMMON QUESTIONS
Foot & Ankle FAQs
General information about foot and ankle evaluation and treatment at SunCare Orthopaedics in Tampa. Individual recommendations depend on your diagnosis and orthopedic evaluation.
SunCare Orthopaedics evaluates and treats foot and ankle conditions including ankle sprains, Achilles injuries, plantar fasciitis, fractures, and other orthopedic causes of foot or ankle pain.
An ankle sprain may cause pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising, or difficulty bearing weight after the ankle twists or rolls. Symptoms alone cannot always determine the severity of an injury or rule out a fracture.
Evaluation can be useful when pain or swelling is significant, walking remains difficult, symptoms are not improving, or the ankle repeatedly feels unstable after previous sprains.
Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain involving the plantar fascia along the bottom of the foot. Examination helps distinguish plantar fasciitis from other possible causes of heel pain.
Heel pain that is particularly noticeable during the first steps after rest is commonly associated with plantar fasciitis, but heel pain can have other causes. An evaluation can help determine which structure is responsible.
Achilles injuries can cause pain or swelling near the back of the heel or lower ankle, difficulty pushing off while walking, weakness, or difficulty standing on the toes. A more sudden injury may be associated with a pop or snapping sensation.
No. Treatment depends on the nature and severity of the Achilles injury, examination findings, function, imaging when needed, and the individual clinical situation. Nonsurgical care may be appropriate in some cases.
A fracture may cause localized pain, tenderness, swelling, bruising, difficulty walking, or deformity after an injury. Symptoms alone cannot reliably determine whether a bone is broken, so examination and imaging may be needed.
Not every foot or ankle problem requires an X-ray. Imaging needs depend on the injury history, symptoms, examination findings, and the suspected condition. Dr. Pullen explains why imaging is recommended when it is needed.
Depending on the diagnosis, nonsurgical treatment may include activity modification, bracing, physical therapy coordination, injections, and other conservative measures. Not every treatment is appropriate for every condition.
No. SunCare Orthopaedics considers nonsurgical care first when it has a reasonable chance of helping. Surgery is discussed when the injury or condition cannot be adequately addressed with conservative care or when surgical treatment becomes the appropriate option.
Cost depends on the diagnosis and care required and may include the orthopedic evaluation, imaging, bracing, therapy, injections, or surgical treatment when appropriate. Insurance benefits may also affect out-of-pocket costs.
SunCare Orthopaedics is located at 8370 W Hillsborough Ave, Suite 103, Tampa, FL 33615. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call (813) 515-0840 to schedule a foot and ankle evaluation.
