Sports & ankle injuries · Portland
Sports or ankle injury? Seen this week by Dr. Egidi.
A rolled ankle or a nagging foot injury doesn’t wait for an opening three weeks out — and neither should you. Dr. Zac Egidi, an experienced, board-certified foot & ankle surgeon at Pearl Foot & Ankle in Portland, brings sports-focused training and same-week openings so you can get evaluated quickly, understand what’s injured, and leave with a clear plan to get back on your feet.
★★★★★ 4.9 from 450+ reviews across our Pearl locations Board-Certified (ABFAS) OATH Surgery Center partner
Understanding the injury
What sports & ankle injuries involve
“Sports injury” covers a wide range of foot and ankle problems — from acute injuries like ankle sprains, fractures, and Achilles strains to overuse conditions like tendinitis, stress reactions, and heel or arch pain that build up over an active summer. The ankle sprain is one of the most common: it happens when the ligaments that stabilize the joint are stretched or torn, usually from a roll or twist. What looks like “just a sprain” can sometimes involve a fracture or ligament damage that changes the treatment plan — which is exactly why a prompt, in-person evaluation is worth the trip. (For more background, see the AAOS patient guide to ankle sprains.)
Symptoms to watch for
When an injury needs a specialist’s eyes
- Swelling, bruising, or tenderness around the ankle or foot after a twist or impact
- Pain when bearing weight, or a feeling that the ankle is “giving out”
- Difficulty walking or returning to your sport
- A “pop” at the moment of injury
- Foot or heel pain that worsens with training and lingers after rest
- Recurrent ankle sprains — a sign the joint may need attention
If you can’t bear weight, the pain is severe, or the joint looks deformed, seek prompt care. For most active injuries, being seen this week means a faster, more confident path back to activity.
Conservative care comes first
Conservative-first treatment options
Most sports and ankle injuries are managed without surgery. Dr. Egidi tailors care to your injury, your sport, and your timeline:
- Accurate diagnosis first — exam and imaging when needed to rule out fracture or ligament tears
- Protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation in the early phase
- Bracing, walking boots, or supportive taping to stabilize as you heal
- Custom orthotics for mechanics-driven overuse injuries
- Physical therapy and progressive return-to-sport guidance to rebuild strength and prevent re-injury
- Anti-inflammatory measures for pain and swelling
The aim is to get you back to activity safely — not just symptom-free, but stable.
If more is needed
When advanced care or surgery is considered
The majority of ankle and sports injuries heal with conservative care. Surgery enters the conversation for more significant injuries — certain fractures, complete ligament tears, or persistent instability that hasn’t responded to bracing and rehab. As a full-scope foot & ankle surgeon, Dr. Egidi can carry your care from the first same-week visit through rehabilitation and, if it’s ever needed, surgical repair at our partner facility, OATH Surgery Center — so you’re not handed off mid-recovery. Every recommendation comes with a plain-language explanation of your options.
Wondering about a bunion aggravated by training? See our bunion treatment & surgery page.
Your surgical team
An experienced surgical team — with openings this week
Dr. Zac Egidi is a board-certified (ABFAS) foot & ankle surgeon with 8+ years in practice and hundreds of surgeries across the full scope of medical, surgical, and sports foot & ankle care. He was recruited to Portland to expand new-patient access, with open, same-week availability for Beaverton, Cedar Mill, Bethany, and the greater Portland area. With active injuries, timing matters — being seen this week, rather than waiting weeks for an opening elsewhere, means a faster diagnosis and a quicker, safer return to what you love. Pearl Foot & Ankle is an independent, board-certified practice with a 4.9★ reputation for care that’s thorough, unrushed, and clearly explained.
Zac Egidi, DPM
Board-Certified (ABFAS) Foot & Ankle Surgeon
- 8+ years in practice — hundreds of foot & ankle surgeries
- Full-scope medical, surgical & sports foot & ankle care
- Same-week new-patient availability
- Kent State College of Podiatric Medicine; surgical residency (chief resident), LECOM Health
Timothy Mineo, DPM, FACFAS
Founder · Dual Board-Certified (ABFAS)
- 1,500+ surgeries, including total ankle replacement
- Dual board-certified in foot surgery and reconstructive rearfoot & ankle surgery
- Founded Pearl Foot & Ankle and leads its surgical team
- Fellow, American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons
One practice, one team: every treatment plan — from a first office visit through surgery at our partner facility, OATH Surgery Center — is backed by both surgeons’ combined experience.
Questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
How soon can I be seen for an ankle or sports injury?
Dr. Egidi currently has same-week openings. Call (503) 284-2000 or book online — and if it’s an acute injury, tell us so we can prioritize you.
Should I see a podiatrist or the ER for an ankle injury?
If you can’t bear weight, the pain is severe, or the joint looks deformed, seek prompt/emergency care. For most sprains and overuse injuries, a same-week podiatry visit gets you an accurate diagnosis and a return-to-activity plan.
Do I need surgery for an ankle sprain?
Most sprains heal with conservative care like bracing and rehab. Surgery is reserved for more severe injuries or ongoing instability — and it’s always a shared decision.
Do you take my insurance?
Yes — Pearl Foot & Ankle is in-network with 200+ insurance plans, including Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, Providence, Moda Health, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Aetna, PacificSource, and Medicare & Medicare Advantage — and every Pearl provider, including Dr. Egidi, is credentialed with these plans. Verify your plan instantly on Zocdoc, or call (503) 284-2000 and we’ll confirm your benefits before your visit.
Where are you located?
12672 NW Barnes Rd #100, Portland, OR 97229 — convenient to Beaverton, Cedar Mill, and Bethany.
How can I tell if my ankle is sprained or broken?
You often can’t tell reliably without an X-ray — being able to limp on it does not rule out a fracture. Red flags for a break include pain directly on the bone, numbness, a deformed appearance, or being unable to bear weight at all. When in doubt, get it imaged; Pearl Foot & Ankle can often evaluate ankle injuries the same week. Call (503) 284-2000.
My ankle sprain still hurts months later — is that normal?
Lingering soreness is common, but pain that persists beyond 6–8 weeks, keeps you from sport, or comes with instability suggests something more than a simple sprain — such as a ligament tear, cartilage injury, or scar-tissue issue that won’t resolve on its own. That’s worth an exam rather than more waiting. Dr. Zac Egidi evaluates chronic ankle pain with both conservative and surgical options available. Call (503) 284-2000.
Why does my ankle keep giving out?
Repeated sprains or a wobbly ankle often point to chronic ankle instability — ligaments that healed loose after an earlier sprain. Targeted rehab resolves many cases; some benefit from bracing or, when conservative care isn’t enough, surgical repair. An evaluation can identify which path applies to you: (503) 284-2000.
Do I need physical therapy for an ankle sprain, or will it heal on its own?
Even mild sprains benefit from structured rehab — strengthening and balance work substantially lower the chance of re-spraining, which is the biggest long-term risk. Skipping rehab is a common reason ankles stay weak or unstable for years. Pearl Foot & Ankle can assess your sprain and map out a return-to-activity plan; call (503) 284-2000.
How soon can I get back to running or sports after a foot or ankle injury?
It depends on the injury and how it’s progressing — the goal is the shortest safe timeline, not the longest cautious one. A sports-focused evaluation establishes what’s injured, what load it can handle, and a stepwise return plan so you’re not guessing. Dr. Egidi works with athletes and active patients on exactly this. Often same-week availability: (503) 284-2000.
Same-week booking
Get your injury looked at this week.
Book your visit online in real time through Zocdoc — pick the appointment slot that works for you, no phone tag. Acute injury? Call and tell us so we can prioritize you.
- New patients welcome
- Most insurance accepted
- Same-week appointments often available
- Beaverton · Cedar Mill · Bethany · Portland
Book a Same-Week Visit
See real-time openings and reserve your visit securely through Zocdoc, the practice’s online scheduler.
📅 Book Online with ZocdocPrefer to talk to someone?
📞 Call (503) 284-2000
Pearl Foot & Ankle · 12672 NW Barnes Rd #100, Portland, OR 97229 · (503) 284-2000
Mon–Fri 8–5 · Not an emergency service — for a medical emergency, call 911.
The information on this page is for general educational purposes and is not medical advice; it does not establish a doctor–patient relationship. Appointment availability varies and is not guaranteed. Individual results vary. For a medical emergency, call 911.