Trauma Care
A broken toe at a weekend soccer game. A rolled ankle stepping off a curb in Rahway.
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What Is Foot and Ankle Trauma?
Foot and ankle trauma refers to acute injuries that damage bones, joints, ligaments, or tendons in the lower extremity. These injuries range from simple toe fractures to complex crush injuries involving multiple structures, and they require prompt evaluation to prevent long-term disability.
The foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments. A single traumatic event can disrupt multiple structures simultaneously.
Essex Union Podiatry's providers assess the full scope of damage using digital X-ray, and when necessary, advanced imaging to map fracture patterns before treatment begins.
Acute vs. Overuse Injuries
Acute trauma differs from overuse injuries in both urgency and treatment approach.
Dr. Jason P. Galante and the Essex Union Podiatry team evaluate each injury's mechanism, grade its severity, and build a recovery plan that accounts for the patient's activity level and long-term foot health goals.
Conditions We Treat
Fractures
Broken bones in the foot and ankle account for a significant portion of emergency podiatric visits. Essex Union Podiatry manages metatarsal fractures, calcaneal (heel bone) fractures, ankle fractures, and stress fractures using casting, walking boots, or surgical fixation depending on displacement and stability.
Dislocations
Joint dislocations in the midfoot (Lisfranc injuries) and ankle require precise reduction and stabilization. Delayed treatment increases the risk of chronic instability. Our podiatrists perform closed reductions when possible and surgical repair when joint alignment cannot be maintained conservatively.
Ligament and Tendon Injuries
Severe sprains, Achilles tendon ruptures, and peroneal tendon tears often accompany traumatic events. Essex Union Podiatry evaluates soft tissue damage alongside bony injury to create treatment plans that address every compromised structure.
Crush Injuries and Lacerations
Dropped objects, motor vehicle incidents, and industrial accidents can cause complex wounds with fractures underneath. These multi-tissue injuries demand coordinated wound management and orthopedic stabilization that our team delivers from initial evaluation through rehabilitation.
Our Trauma Care Process
Urgent Evaluation
Contact Essex Union Podiatry for same-day or next-day trauma appointments at any of our four New Jersey offices. Our intake team triages foot and ankle injuries by phone to determine urgency and directs patients to the appropriate location in Rahway, Springfield, Caldwell, or Jersey City.
Diagnostic Imaging
Digital X-rays taken on-site reveal fracture location, displacement, and joint alignment within minutes. Complex injuries may require additional imaging to evaluate soft tissue involvement and surgical planning details that plain films cannot capture.
Stabilization and Treatment Planning
Based on imaging results, your podiatrist applies initial stabilization using splints, walking boots, or casting. Dr. Galante and the team discuss the full treatment plan, including whether the injury can heal with conservative management or requires foot and ankle surgery.
Surgical Intervention When Needed
Displaced fractures, unstable dislocations, and ruptured tendons may require surgical fixation. Essex Union Podiatry performs open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), tendon repair, and ligament reconstruction using minimally invasive techniques when the injury pattern allows.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Post-treatment care includes structured weight-bearing progression, physical therapy referrals, and follow-up imaging to confirm bone healing. Our providers monitor recovery milestones at regular intervals and adjust the timeline based on each patient's healing response.
Benefits of Trauma Care at Essex Union Podiatry
Same-Day Access Across Four Locations
Trauma does not wait for convenient scheduling. Essex Union Podiatry maintains four offices across New Jersey so patients can reach a board-certified podiatrist quickly. Whether the injury happens in Union County, Essex County, or Hudson County, one of our locations is nearby.
Full-Spectrum Surgical Capability
Not every podiatry practice can take a fracture from emergency evaluation through surgical repair and post-operative recovery. Essex Union Podiatry's surgeons hold ACFAS board certifications in foot and ankle surgery, which means patients stay with the same team from injury through return to activity.
Conservative-First Philosophy
Surgery is a tool, not a default. Essex Union Podiatry exhausts appropriate conservative treatments before recommending operative intervention. Many fractures and sprains heal well with immobilization, controlled weight-bearing, and guided rehabilitation under our providers' supervision.
Why New Jersey Patients Choose Essex Union Podiatry for Trauma
Board-Certified Foot and Ankle Surgeons
Credential-verified expertise in operative trauma management.
On-Site Digital Imaging
Fracture diagnosis in the same visit without referral delays.
31 Years of Practice Experience
Pattern recognition across thousands of injury presentations.
4 NJ Locations with Flexible Scheduling
Shorter wait times for urgent trauma appointments.
Personalized Recovery Timelines
Treatment plans matched to patient activity goals.
Dr. Sarah E. Haller, founder of the NJ Foot and Ankle Foundation, and Dr. Kaitlyn Testa bring additional clinical perspectives that strengthen the practice's ability to handle complex multi-structure injuries.
Common Questions About Trauma Care
Should I go to the ER or a podiatrist for a foot injury?
If you suspect a fracture or cannot bear weight, go to the nearest emergency room for initial stabilization. Follow up with Essex Union Podiatry within 24 to 48 hours for definitive treatment planning.
Our podiatrists specialize in foot and ankle injuries and often identify fracture patterns or soft tissue damage that general ER physicians may not address in detail.
How long does a broken foot take to heal?
Healing timelines depend on the bone involved and the fracture type. Simple toe fractures may heal in 4 to 6 weeks. Metatarsal fractures typically require 6 to 8 weeks in a walking boot.
Calcaneal fractures and surgical cases can take 12 weeks or longer before full weight-bearing resumes. Essex Union Podiatry monitors healing with follow-up imaging at each milestone.
Do I need surgery for a sprained ankle?
Most ankle sprains heal with rest, immobilization, and physical therapy. Essex Union Podiatry recommends surgery only for Grade III sprains with complete ligament tears, chronic ankle instability after failed conservative care, or associated fractures that compromise joint stability.
Even if surgery is needed, our team uses sports medicine rehabilitation protocols to restore function.
Can I walk on a fractured foot?
Walking on an undiagnosed or improperly treated fracture risks displacement, delayed healing, and long-term joint damage. Essex Union Podiatry provides protective footwear and controlled weight-bearing protocols so patients can stay mobile during recovery without compromising bone alignment.
What Our Patients Say
Essex Union Podiatry has earned the trust of patients across New Jersey through attentive trauma care and clear communication during stressful injuries. Our providers explain every step of diagnosis and treatment so patients understand their recovery path.
Find your nearest office to read location-specific reviews and schedule your appointment.
Get Trauma Care from New Jersey's Foot and Ankle Specialists
Foot and ankle injuries demand prompt, specialized evaluation. Essex Union Podiatry's board-certified podiatrists treat fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue trauma at four convenient locations across New Jersey.