Ankle & Achilles Surgeon
in Los Angeles
From a rolled ankle or sudden Achilles pop to a fracture or chronic instability, Dr. Alexis Dixon, MD, FAAOS, a board-certified orthopaedic foot & ankle surgeon and Red Bull North America team physician in Marina Del Rey, gets you an accurate diagnosis and the right plan. Same-week consults available.
Foot & Ankle Conditions
Comprehensive Ankle & Achilles Care
The ankle joint links the tibia, fibula, and talus and bears the body’s full load with every step, which makes it vulnerable to both sudden injury and chronic wear.
Dr. Dixon treats the complete range of ankle and Achilles problems, from acute sprains and fractures to recurrent instability, arthritis, and Achilles tendon injuries, with an accurate diagnosis first and a treatment plan tailored to each patient’s activity level and goals.
Tendon Injuries
Achilles Tendinitis & Rupture
The Achilles is the largest tendon in the body and is prone to two main problems: Achilles tendinitis (overuse irritation, insertional at the heel, or non-insertional in the mid-tendon, with pain and morning stiffness) and Achilles rupture (a sudden partial or complete tear, often felt as a pop or a “kick” to the back of the ankle, with difficulty pushing off).
Tendinitis usually responds to activity modification, eccentric physical therapy, and bracing. A rupture is time-sensitive: some heal in a boot with a structured protocol, while active patients often do best with surgical repair. Early, accurate diagnosis preserves the most options.
Ligament Injuries
Ankle Sprains & Instability
A sprain is a tear in a ligament. The anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) is the most commonly injured, followed by the calcaneofibular and deltoid ligaments. A “high ankle sprain” involves the syndesmosis between the tibia and fibula, is more severe, and takes roughly twice as long to heal, sometimes requiring surgery. Weight-bearing x-rays are used to rule out fracture.
Most sprains are treated with a CAM boot (up to 6 weeks; up to 12 for a high ankle sprain), ice and anti-inflammatories, and physical therapy to rebuild strength and balance. Surgery is considered when sprains are recurrent and non-operative care has failed: chronic instability that should be evaluated rather than “walked off.”
Trauma
Ankle Fractures
Ankle fractures are among the most common fractures and range from stable (minimal displacement, often treated with immobilization alone) to unstable (compromised joint integrity, frequently requiring surgery). Weight-bearing x-rays, with CT or MRI when needed for surgical planning, establish the pattern. Stable fractures are treated with a CAM boot or cast and protected weight-bearing; unstable fractures are typically treated with open reduction and internal fixation using plates and screws. Balance and strength retraining precede return to activity.
Chronic Conditions
Ankle Arthritis
Ankle arthritis is the wearing of cartilage within the joint. About 70% of ankle arthritis is post-traumatic, the result of a prior fracture or chronic instability. Early arthritis can present as a bone spur with a pinching sensation and reduced motion; advanced disease causes bone-on-bone pain. Conservative care (anti-inflammatories, activity modification, physical therapy, bracing, custom orthotics, and injections) can substantially reduce pain. Surgical options include bone-spur removal for younger patients, joint fusion to eliminate arthritic pain, and ankle replacement for appropriately selected patients.
Why See a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon (MD)?
Ankle injuries, especially Achilles ruptures and unstable fractures, are time-sensitive, and the choice between non-surgical and surgical treatment shapes recovery and return to sport. A board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic foot & ankle surgeon offers the full range of options and the surgical expertise if you need it. Dr. Dixon serves as a Red Bull North America team physician and treats LA’s runners, dancers, and athletes.
Recovery
What Recovery Looks Like
Accurate Diagnosis
Exam plus weight-bearing x-rays (and MRI/CT when needed) to identify the exact injury.
Protected Healing
Bracing, boot, or surgery as indicated; early protection prevents chronic problems.
Rehabilitation
Physical therapy to rebuild strength, motion, and balance.
Return to Sport
A supervised, milestone-based return (longer for ruptures and unstable fractures).
What Patients Say
Patient Reviews
Patient Questions
Ankle & Achilles FAQs
Yes, if pain, swelling, or instability persists. Weight-bearing x-rays rule out a fracture, and untreated sprains can become chronic instability or arthritis.
No. Some ruptures heal in a boot with a structured protocol; active patients often choose surgical repair. The best option depends on activity level and goals.
Only a weight-bearing x-ray and exam can tell them apart reliably. They can occur together. Same-week evaluation is available.
Often yes: open reduction with plates and screws restores alignment. Stable fractures may heal in a boot or cast.
Repeated giving-way after prior sprains. When non-operative care fails, ligament reconstruction can restore stability.
Sprains and stable fractures, weeks to a few months; Achilles ruptures and unstable fractures, several months on a supervised plan.
Same-week consultations are often available. Call (310) 437-7922.
About Your Surgeon
Alexis E. Dixon, MD, FAAOS
Dr. Dixon is a board-certified orthopaedic foot & ankle surgeon practicing in Marina Del Rey, California. USC-trained and named an LA Magazine Top Doctor since 2017, she combines surgical expertise with a conservative-first philosophy, treating the underlying joint and tendon, not just the symptom. She treats ganglion cysts, bunions, Achilles injuries, plantar fasciitis, fractures, and the full range of foot and ankle conditions.
Meet Dr. Dixon →Don't Walk It Off:
Get an Accurate Diagnosis
Untreated ankle and Achilles injuries become chronic problems.
Get a real surgical opinion from a board-certified orthopaedic foot & ankle surgeon in Marina Del Rey.