Eliminating Common Foot and Ankle Pain

For anyone that has ever suffered from foot and ankle pain or injury, you quickly realize how immobile it can leave you. Whether you’re constantly on your feet for work or stay active in your free time, foot and ankle pain can not only cause severe discomfort but can often lead to greater, more serious injury.

So, how do you treat that pain before allowing it to develop into something more? Surprisingly, there are many ways to treat varying symptoms of pain or injury to help recuperate. Let’s look at some of the most common problems that people can experience and how to take the first step toward recovery.

Arthritis of the Feet

Much like arthritis of the hands, arthritis in your feet can cause utter discomfort and pain, as arthritis is a term to describe inflammation within a particular joint. In regards to the feet, some experience pain when rotating the foot; redness or swelling around the ankle; tenderness or, in severe cases and from prolonged exposure, foot deformity. Although different types of arthritis have different warning signs, it’s important to take precautionary steps to eliminating arthritis or even experiencing it at all.

Possible Remedies:

  • Wearing the proper size of shoe is important. Nothing too tight around the base and toes. Getting fitted regularly should help determine the correct footwear for you.
  • Anti-inflammatory medication, such as Ibuprofen or Aspirin is a good way to relieve swelling. Only take anti-inflammatory drugs that your doctor has approved.
  • In some instances, surgical correction may be necessary. The Foot & Ankle specialists at Methodist McKinney Hospital can help determine if surgery is a viable option for you.

Sprained Ankle

The ankle is pivotal for walking, so a sprained ankle can significantly limit your mobility. A sprain occurs when the ligaments in the ankle are stretched further than usual or twisted in an unnatural way. Sometimes this type of ankle trauma can lead to a partial or complete tear. If you experience pain in the ankle and feel you may have strained or sprained it, remember the acronym RICE:

  • R – Rest: Get off your feet as quickly as possible.
  • I – Ice: Apply ice on and off every 20 minutes.
  • C – Compression: Keep light pressure around the injured area.
  • E – Elevate: Raise the foot so that it’s higher than the rest of the body.

If the pain doesn’t subside or is still severe, visit your doctor to have it examined for further damage.

Hammertoe

A hammertoe refers to a toe that remains curled or in a bent position instead of straightening out.  As a result, the knuckle of the toe may protrude and become inflamed. It can also result to painful calluses and significant discomfort.

Treatment:

Treatment can vary depending on the situation. If pain occurs on the top of the toe, a tubular slip-on padding would work well to relieve pain. Any calluses on the tip of the toe can be removed with a crest pad, which will sit under the toe and will help straighten and lift the toe. If padding doesn’t correct the issue, surgery may be required.

Ankle and foot pain can affect anyone with varying levels of activity. Yet, it’s very important to try to remedy the pain before getting too severe. If you’re suffering from foot and ankle pain, our trained podiatrists and specialists can help you get back to a pain-free life. For more information, visit with us today.

7 Comments

  1. June 12, 2017 at 9:08 pm

    Foot and ankle pain is not fun. You don’t realize how much you use your feet until they start hurting. I’ll make sure to get fitted, so that I can get the right size shoes, for once.

  2. June 21, 2017 at 2:49 pm

    My son rolled his ankle while we were camping over the weekend and we are wondering what to do to offer him relief. It is good to know that one should apply ice on and off every twenty minutes. I am also glad to know that elevation helps. If he is still feeling pain after a few days, I think we will pay a visit to our local foot specialist. Thanks.

  3. Joe Minissale-
    June 21, 2017 at 5:10 pm

    While ankle sprains don’t require surgery, a brief period of immobilization and appropriate rehabilitation exercises are important. If troubles persist, please see your local foot specialist. If you are in the DFW area, contact Dr. Sarang Desai of OrthoTexas at (214) 618-5502 if you’re looking to partner with a great foot and ankle specialist.

  4. September 8, 2017 at 11:34 pm

    My fiance has been having problems with his foot and ankle for a while now. I like the acronym RICE as a helpful way to remember how to treat a sprained ankle. However, we are starting to think that the pain might be a little too severe for a sprain and will be seeing a doctor.

  5. Maria Byrd-
    September 11, 2017 at 1:16 pm

    Yes, good idea! Ongoing foot and ankle problems can really hold a person back, so partnering with a foot and ankle specialist would be a great move. These specialized orthopedic physicians are trained in all aspects of foot and ankle surgery, treating sports injuries, fractures and arthritis with minimally invasive techniques, ankle replacement, arthroscopic surgery, reconstructive surgery and more. Check out our list of specialists @ https://methdistgetest.wpengine.com/physician-directory/.

  6. October 24, 2017 at 2:10 pm

    Thanks for going over some tips for helping foot and ankle pain. You mentioned that you should get your feet fitted regularly to make sure that you find the right footwear. I’m interested to learn more about how often this should occur, like if you need to get fitted every few months or every few years.

  7. Joe Minissale-
    October 30, 2017 at 12:48 am

    Perhaps you will find what you’re looking for in Dr. Sarang Desai’s library of articles that can be found @ http://orthodoc.aaos.org/drsarangdesai/library.cfm. This one is particularly interesting … http://orthodoc.aaos.org/drsarangdesai/How%20to%20Select%20the%20Right%20Athletic%20Shoes.pdf

Leave A Comment