Sports Medicine & Foot Injury Care in Farmington, NM

Sports Podiatry for Active Lifestyles

Whether you are a competitive athlete, a weekend warrior, or someone who simply enjoys staying active, foot and ankle injuries can disrupt your routine and limit your performance. The feet and ankles absorb tremendous forces during running, jumping, cutting, and pivoting — making them particularly vulnerable to both acute injuries and chronic overuse conditions. At Family Foot Health Specialists, Dr. Denise M. Dorner provides specialized sports medicine care to diagnose, treat, and help prevent foot and ankle injuries for patients of all activity levels.

The Farmington and Four Corners region is home to an active community — from high school and college athletes to hikers, runners, and outdoor enthusiasts who take advantage of the area's trails and terrain. Dr. Dorner understands the demands these activities place on the lower extremities and tailors her approach to each patient's sport, goals, and recovery timeline.

Common Sports-Related Foot and Ankle Injuries

Sports injuries to the foot and ankle span a wide range, from sudden traumatic events to conditions that develop gradually over weeks or months of repetitive stress. Among the most common are ankle sprains (partial or complete tears of the ligaments supporting the ankle joint), stress fractures (hairline cracks in the bones of the foot caused by repetitive impact), Achilles tendinitis (inflammation of the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel), plantar fasciitis (overuse injury to the tissue along the sole of the foot), turf toe (a sprain of the big toe joint), metatarsal fractures, and sesamoiditis (inflammation of the small bones beneath the big toe joint).

Symptoms vary by injury but commonly include pain during or after activity, swelling, bruising, stiffness, difficulty bearing weight, reduced range of motion, and a grinding or popping sensation. Ignoring these symptoms or attempting to "push through" the pain often leads to a more severe injury and a longer recovery period.

How Dr. Dorner Treats Sports Injuries

Dr. Dorner begins each evaluation with a detailed history of the injury and your athletic activities, followed by a hands-on physical examination and diagnostic imaging when needed. Her goal is to identify the root cause of your injury — not just the symptoms — so that treatment addresses the underlying problem and reduces the risk of recurrence.

Treatment plans are individualized and may include immobilization and rest protocols, bracing or taping for ankle stability, custom orthotics to correct biomechanical issues that contributed to the injury, targeted stretching and strengthening programs, footwear recommendations specific to your sport, and gradual return-to-activity plans that prioritize safe progression. Dr. Dorner also performs biomechanical evaluations and gait analysis to identify movement patterns that may predispose you to future injuries.

With over 35 years of podiatric experience, Dr. Dorner has treated athletes across a wide range of sports and activity levels. Her practical, results-oriented approach focuses on getting you back to the activities you enjoy — safely and as quickly as your body allows.