Ankle Sprain Treatment in Laguna Woods, CA
Get Back on Your Feet With the Right Ankle Care
We determine the severity of your ankle injury and provide personalized care to support healing, restore stability, and help you move confidently again.
Does This Sound Familiar?
- Pain after rolling or twisting your ankle
- Swelling around the ankle joint
- Bruising that develops after the injury
- Tenderness when touching the affected area
- Difficulty walking or placing weight on your foot
- An ankle that feels weak or unstable
What Might Have Caused Your Ankle Sprain?
An ankle sprain occurs when one or more ligaments are stretched or torn. The severity depends on which ligaments are injured and the extent of the damage.
Rolling the Ankle
A sudden inward or outward ankle movement can stretch the ligaments beyond their normal range.
Walking on Uneven Ground
Uneven pavement, trails, curbs, and unstable surfaces can cause the foot to land awkwardly.
Sports and Exercise
Running, jumping, changing direction, or landing incorrectly can place sudden force on the ankle.
Falls or Missed Steps
Missing a step, slipping, or falling can force the ankle out of its normal position.
Previous Ankle Sprains
An ankle that did not fully heal or complete rehabilitation may remain weak and more likely to be injured again.
Inadequate Support
Unsuitable footwear or insufficient ankle stability may increase the risk of rolling or twisting the joint.
How Is an Ankle Sprain Diagnosed?
Because a fracture or another injury can resemble an ankle sprain, an accurate evaluation is important before treatment begins.
1. Discuss the Injury
Dr. Petersen will ask how the injury happened, where the pain occurs, and whether you can place weight on the foot.
2. Examine Your Foot and Ankle
He’ll evaluate swelling, bruising, tenderness, movement, ligament stability, and possible signs of another injury.
3. Imaging, if Needed
Digital X-rays or additional imaging may be used to assess the injury and rule out a possible fracture.
A Different Approach to Ankle Sprain Treatment
We look beyond swelling and pain to determine which structures were injured and whether the ankle remains stable. Dr. Petersen develops a personalized plan based on the sprain’s severity, your activity level, and the risk of repeated injury.
Rule Out a Fracture Before Treating a Sprain
An ankle fracture and sprain can cause similar pain, swelling, and difficulty walking. In-office digital X-rays can help identify a bone injury, while additional evaluation may be needed to assess ligament damage.
Why Choose Dr. Petersen?
Dr. David Petersen has provided podiatric care to patients in Orange County and Los Angeles since 1998. He evaluates the underlying cause of each patient’s symptoms before recommending a treatment plan.
His education and advanced training include:
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree
- Residency training in podiatric medicine and foot surgery
- Two-year fellowship in advanced foot and ankle surgery
- Experience with conservative and surgical treatment options
Patients receive clear explanations about their diagnosis, available options, expected outcomes, and appropriate next steps.
Trusted by Local Patients
★★★★★ 4.9 / 5 · 120+ reviews
What Patients Are Saying
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Manna SinghTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I had a really good experience with Dr. Peterson. He is patient, caring, and has a great sense of humor, which makes the whole interaction feel very easy and personable. I never felt rushed, and he took the time to listen to my concerns and explain things clearly. The staff was professional but also warm and welcoming, and there was hardly any wait. Overall, I was very happy with my visit and would definitely recommend Dr. Peterson.![]()
Dave HopkinsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Timely, professional, quality care and entire staff are very friendly.![]()
Ali DaneshTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Dr Peterson is a one of a kind physician. He listens, finds a solution and offers you options to get the relief you need without complicating your prognosis. He's compassionate, caring and has the best bedside manner of a great doctor. I highly recommend and trust him with my foot related issues![]()
David LevyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We've had a truly phenomenal experience with Dr Peterson. I brought my 9 year old to him for Severs disease. One of the nicest and most caring doctors I've ever met. Truly cares about his patients. Highly recommended. Staff is great too.![]()
Qiana TaborTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Dr. Peterson is very kind, explains everything well, gives good advice and takes his time. Everyone is kind and helpful.![]()
Alan TTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Review of Dr. David Peterson, Podiatrist Before I begin, I want to make it clear that I receive no compensation, discount, or special treatment from Dr. Peterson or his office because of this review. He did not ask or suggest that I write it. I am sharing my experience because I genuinely believe it may be helpful to others. I have been a patient of Dr. David Peterson for more than four years. I wear orthotics, and he has also treated me for a painful nail spike on my big toe. As a podiatrist, I have always found him to be knowledgeable, professional, and outstanding. However, this review is primarily about my experience with EMTT (Extracorporeal Magneto Transduction Technology). I had been curious about EMTT and wondered whether it was simply another promising treatment that would eventually fade away after a short period of time. I had originally considered trying it for my knees. Then, in August 2026, I severely injured my lower back for no obvious reason. I began experiencing intense spasms in my lower back, around belt level and just to the right of my spine. I wasn't sure whether the problem was muscular or nerve-related. What I did know was that the pain was severe—about a 9 out of 10. I had difficulty walking and was experiencing four or five severe spasms every hour. The spasms would suddenly grab me and send sharp pain down the back of my right leg, making even simple activities extremely difficult, including getting in and out of bed, walking, or standing up from a chair. Dr. Peterson suggested that I try three EMTT treatments, one week apart. After my first treatment, I felt a significant improvement. I was able to walk without triggering spasms, and the frequency of the spasms dropped dramatically—from four or five an hour to only three during the following 24 hours. Wearing a back brace also helped improve my comfort level. Interestingly, during the EMTT treatment itself, I felt very little. I didn't feel an electrical sensation, vibration, heat, or much of anything else. In fact, I remember thinking that perhaps it wasn't going to help me at all. I completed all three treatments, one week apart. EMTT is not covered by my insurance, and I was very skeptical about whether it would be worth the expense. However, after completing the three treatments, I became convinced that EMTT had been extremely helpful and had provided me with significant and lasting relief. I was eventually able to see a spine specialist and have an MRI performed to further evaluate my back. I understand that EMTT is not necessarily the answer for every condition, and I can only speak from my own experience. But based on what I personally went through, I am convinced that Dr. Peterson did everything he could to help me, and that EMTT played an important role in getting me through an extremely painful period. I am very grateful for Dr. Peterson's care, professionalism, and willingness to try something that I initially viewed with a great deal of skepticism. For me, the results were very real, and I would strongly recommend Dr. Peterson to anyone considering his care.![]()
Melissa KassoufTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
After my existing Dr. was in an accident, I had to find new care. I saw two other podiatrists before deciding to transfer my care to Dr. Petersen & his outstanding team at Pacific Foot & Ankle. I have not looked back since and know I found the right Dr. and office to manage my ongoing foot issues that have been plaguing me for years! I cannot say enough good things about every single interaction I have with this office. Dr. Petersen is exceptional; he is knowledgeable, patient, gentle, empathetic and kind. I truly believe he has the patients best interest at heart, as recently evidenced by encouraging me to hold off on a procedure I was questioning doing that would be invasive as he felt it was too soon to consider it. So many other Doctors would just want to complete something and send you on your way to move on to the next patient, but he did not. He took a "wait and see" approach and was patient and understanding; he discussed the issue which I really appreciated. Every single interaction I have had with every single member of his team is always so on point! The office is well ran and everyone is kind, professional and helpful. I am dealing with a chronic issue I have had for years and both Dr. Petersen and all of his team members go out of their way to always provide a superior experience each and every time I am seen. The office always has an upbeat and fun vibe to it which helps when you are dealing with not so fun foot issues. Kudos to both Dr. Petersen and all of his team- I appreciate you! I encourage anyone seeking excellence in podiatric care to try this office.![]()
Karen TallichetTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I met with Dr. Peterson on Friday for my very first time. He was more than Pleasant. He was actually very kind, funny and very welcoming and of course well educated on the structure of the feet, mine are an unusual pair? He was able to treat my foot immediately. I have a follow up in three months. I am very happy with how everything turned out. Glad to find a new podiatrist. With such a great bedside mannerVerified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
When Should You See a Podiatrist for an Ankle Sprain?
Schedule an evaluation after an ankle injury when pain, swelling, bruising, or difficulty walking continues or affects normal movement.
Seek professional care if:
- You cannot comfortably place weight on the foot
- Bruising or swelling continues to increase
- The ankle looks deformed or out of position
- You experience numbness, tingling, or unusual coldness
- The ankle repeatedly gives way or feels unstable
- Pain continues despite rest and activity changes
Prompt evaluation can help identify a fracture, severe ligament injury, or another condition that may otherwise be mistaken for a simple sprain.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ankle Sprains
Sprains and fractures can both cause pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking. A professional examination and imaging may be needed to determine which injury occurred.
That depends on the severity of the injury. Walking on a more serious sprain or an undiagnosed fracture may cause further damage, so avoid forcing weight onto a painful ankle before evaluation.
Recovery time depends on whether the ligament is stretched, partially torn, or completely torn. Your activity level, treatment, and rehabilitation can also affect the healing process.
Swelling can remain while the injured tissues heal, especially after activity. Persistent or worsening swelling should be evaluated to rule out a more severe injury or incomplete healing.
Not every ankle sprain requires an X-ray. Imaging may be recommended when a fracture is suspected because sprains and broken bones can produce similar symptoms.
Repeated sprains may occur when injured ligaments have not healed or rehabilitation was incomplete. Ongoing weakness can lead to chronic ankle instability and repeated giving way.
See a podiatrist when you cannot bear weight, swelling or bruising is significant, pain persists, or the ankle feels unstable. Prompt evaluation is also important when a fracture may be present.
Take the Next Step Toward Ankle Recovery
If an ankle injury is making it difficult to walk, work, exercise, or complete daily activities, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Petersen. He’ll determine the extent of the injury and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.