Foot and Ankle Pain
The feet serve as the foundation of the body. When pain is experienced, it’s therefore extremely important to identify early on what and where the issue is. The causes of foot pain vary greatly, including but not limited to diseases, deformities, improper footwear, and injuries pertaining to the foot region.
Those who experience foot pain may also notice redness, swelling, soreness, bruising, or numbness present at the injured area. When these symptoms occur, it’s important to also identify where the pain experienced is located, as there are a number of foot complications that could be at the root of the problem. For example, different foot conditions can affect different areas such as the heel, ball of the foot, foot arch, the toes, or ankles, to name a few.
Common heel pain conditions include heel spurs and heel fractures. Morton’s neuroma is a condition that often comes with pain experienced at the ball of the foot, as well as sesamoiditis. Those suffering from discomfort in their arches may have flat feet or plantar fasciitis. Common issues that affect the toes include gout, bunions, blisters, corns and calluses, as well as hammertoe and ingrown toenail. An ankle sprains is also a common ailment that can lead to foot pain.
Treatment for foot pain varies for each case, depending on both the cause of pain and the location of the affected area. The most common recommendations for easing the discomfort of foot pain include the following: getting plenty of rest, icing and heating the area in which pain is felt, pain relievers, and keeping the foot elevated to avoid swelling.
Fractures
When the foot or ankle experiences trauma, a fracture may occur. Causes of foot and ankle fractures can vary. In some cases, an obvious impact to the foot or a fall can be behind a fracture. Fractures can also occur because of increased stress on the bone over time. The location of the fracture can often give your podiatrist information on how the fracture occurred.
Pain, especially when bearing weight, is a telltale sign of a fracture. Limping due to this pain is a further sign of a foot or ankle fracture. Other symptoms include inflammation, bruising, deformity, and tenderness. A deformity may occur due to a shift in bone alignment or a joint dislocation near the fracture. While pain is a significant symptom of breakage, a patient who has nerve damage or who has diabetes may not feel this pain. In this instance, your podiatrist will look for additional signs to determine whether a fracture has occurred.
If you are experiencing severe pain, cannot walk without limping, have an open wound near the suspected break, or have numbness or tingling in the toes, you should see your podiatrist.
