Orthopedics Foot & Ankle Eighty percent of Americans will experience foot and ankle pain at some point in their lives.This pain can be caused by an injury, ill-fitting shoes, diseases such as arthritis and diabetes, poor circulation, genetic abnormalities or simply wear and tear over time. We offer ankle and foot care for pediatric, neurological, orthopedic, diabetic, geriatric and sports-related needs. At CoxHealth, our specialists use the latest technology to assess and treat your foot and ankle problems. We offer quick diagnoses followed by a care plan designed to fit your needs, reduce your pain, and help get you back in motion.We explore conservative treatment options first. However, if surgery becomes your best option, rest assured that our experienced team will be with you each step of the way. Learn More About Ankle FusionAnkle fusion surgery involves fusing bones together with the use of rods, pins, screws or plates (fixation devices). After healing, your bones remain fused together. The surgery involves either external or internal fixation devices. Your orthopedic surgeon will determine which is best for your specific situation.In external fixation, surgical pins are fixed inside your leg and ankle bones to keep the bones in place, and an outer metal rod and pins hold the bones in place until they heal. With internal fixation, the cartilage at your ankle joint is removed, and your ankle and leg bones are compressed with plates and screws so that the bones fuse. Your surgeon may encourage your bones to fuse by inserting bone-graft material, often obtained from elsewhere in your body.After surgery, the screws and plates usually remain in your ankle after healing. The ankle joint may have a smaller range of motion than before surgery, and other health joints may compensate for this loss. Some patients walk so well after healing is complete that others may not be able to tell which ankle was fused; however the greater load on the other joints may eventually result in arthritis.Ankle fusion may allow for more stability and less pain than other ankle surgeries. Additional Information Ten Tips for Proper Shoe Fit Poorly fitted shoes can cause problems. These steps can help prevent them. Learn More about Ten Tips for Proper Shoe Fit Foot & Ankle FAQs Wondering how to access our services or have questions about costs, insurance and more? Check here. Learn More about Foot & Ankle FAQs Specializing Providers See All Specializing Providers navigateleft medicalbag David Schippert, MD Orthopedic Surgery Hand Surgery Cox Medical Group Physician The Bone and Joint Center 3555 South National Avenue Springfield, MO 65807 Accepting New Patients Phone: 417-875-3800 View Profile medicalbag Vela Chebolu, MD Hand Surgery Orthopedic Surgery Cox Medical Group Physician The Bone and Joint Center 3555 South National Avenue Springfield, MO 65807 Accepting New Patients Phone: 417-875-3800 View Profile medicalbag Erin Kent Greer, MD Hand Surgery Orthopedic Surgery Cox Medical Group Physician The Bone and Joint Center 3555 South National Avenue Springfield, MO 65807 Accepting New Patients Phone: 417-875-3800 View Profile medicalbag William Ward Goodman, III, MD Orthopedic Surgery Cox Medical Group Physician Cox Monett Hospital 1000 East Highway 60 Monett, MO 65708 Accepting New Patients Phone: 417-236-2440 View Profile medicalbag Ken John Carpenter, MD Orthopedic Surgery Cox Medical Group Physician The Bone and Joint Center 3555 South National Avenue Springfield, MO 65807 Accepting New Patients Phone: 417-875-3800 View Profile medicalbag William Hayward Duncan, MD Orthopedic Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgery Cox Medical Group Physician The Bone and Joint Center 3555 South National Avenue Springfield, MO 65807 Accepting New Patients Phone: 417-875-3800 View Profile medicalbag Patrick Reed Finkbone, MD Orthopedic Surgery Cox Medical Group Physician CoxHealth Orthopedics 121 Cahill Road Branson, MO 65616 Accepting New Patients Phone: 417-348-8100 View Profile medicalbag Heath Melugin, MD Orthopedic Surgery Orthopedic Sports Medicine Cox Medical Group Physician The Bone and Joint Center 3555 South National Avenue Springfield, MO 65807 Accepting New Patients Phone: 417-875-3800 View Profile medicalbag Lindsey Nicole Bravin, MD Orthopedic Surgery Cox Medical Group Physician The Bone and Joint Center 3555 South National Avenue Springfield, MO 65807 Accepting New Patients Phone: 417-875-3800 View Profile medicalbag William T. Wester, MD Orthopedic Surgery Cox Medical Group Physician The Bone and Joint Center 3555 South National Avenue Springfield, MO 65807 Accepting New Patients Phone: 417-875-3800 View Profile navigateright buildings Bone & Joint Center 3555 S. National Ave. Springfield, MO 65807 Phone: 417- 875-3800 Get Directions buildings Meyer Orthopedic & Rehabilitation Hospital 3535 S. National Ave. Springfield, MO 65807 Phone: 417-269-9800 Get Directions buildings Orthopedic & Sports Injury Walk-In Clinic Springfield Bone & Joint Center 3555 S. National Ave. 1st floor Phone: 417-875-3800 Get Directions buildings Cox Monett Hospital 1000 E. Highway 60 Monett, MO 65708 Phone: 417-235-3144 Get Directions buildings Medical One Clinic 29 NW 1st Lane Lamar, MO 64759 Phone: 417-681-5266 Get Directions buildings CoxHealth Fitness Center The Meyer Center 3545 S. National Ave Springfield, MO 65807 Phone: 417-269-3282 Get Directions CoxHealth Center for Prosthetics & Orthotics We provide custom fabrication and fitting for all types of prosthetic and orthotic devices, right here in our on-site lab. Learn More