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Your ankle is an intricate network of bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles. Strong enough to bear your body weight, your ankle can be prone to injury and pain. You may feel ankle pain on the inside or outside of your ankle or along the Achilles tendon, which connects the muscles in your lower leg to your heel bone. Although mild ankle pain often responds well to home treatments, it can take time to resolve. Severe ankle pain should be evaluated by a podiatrist, especially if it follows an injury. Ankle pain is characterized by irritation and inflammation of the ankle, a condition that often results from an inherently unstable ankle, trauma, or an athletic injury. About 60 percent of all foot and ankle injuries, reported by the US population older than 17, were sprains and strains of the ankle.

Ankle Pain Treatment & Relief:

Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation will provide ankle pain treatment and relief. See a podiatrist to rule out a fracture or a ligament tear because immediate ankle sprain treatment often results in complete healing and a return to normal function. For a recent injury, we recommend cold therapy (the foot igloo), the Steplite ankle walker, and Biofreeze, a pain-reducing ointment. For ongoing, occasional ankle pain, we highly recommend arch supports or the knit ankle support. For stability issues, we like the Flexlite sport hinged ankle brace, which is a favorite of our athletic patients. All of these suggestions should help in managing and relieving ankle pain. Learn more.

The feet are susceptible to cuts that may penetrate the skin. Minor wounds can be treated with bandages or skin glue, and the healing process will accelerate if the cuts are kept covered and dry. If you have stepped on glass or rocks, an X-ray may be necessary to ensure there is no debris left in the foot. For serious foot wounds, it is beneficial to keep weight off of the foot as much as possible, as this can help in giving the foot a chance to heal. If the wound is bleeding, it is helpful to apply direct pressure. If this fails to work, it is wise to seek medical attention from a podiatrist. Additionally, an infection may be present which is often accompanied by a fever.

Wound care is an important part in dealing with diabetes. If you have diabetes and a foot wound or would like more information about wound care for diabetics, find an Urgent Care For Feet podiatrist near you and they will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment. Learn more.

Fractures of the toes and forefoot are quite common. Fractures can result from a direct blow to the foot-such as accidentally kicking something hard or dropping a heavy object on your foot or toes. They can also result from the overuse and repetitive stress that comes with participating in high-impact sports like running and basketball.

Although fracturing a bone in your toe or forefoot can be quite painful-it rarely requires surgery. In most cases, a fracture will heal with rest and a change in activities. However, it is a misconception that you can’t do anything for a broken toe. If the fracture is “displaced” or “dislocated”, it is important to get it put back in place prior to healing. It’s always better to get an x-ray to rule out any potentially permanent damage. Learn more.

Heel pain can be described as an irritation of the ligament running along the bottom of the foot and attaching to the heel,sometimes disabling, can occur in the front, back, or bottom of the heel. Heel pain is generally the result of faulty biomechanics (walking gait abnormalities) that place too much stress on the heel bone and the soft tissues that attach to it. The stress may also result from injury, or a bruise incurred while walking, running, or jumping on hard surfaces; wearing poorly constructed footwear; or being overweight. A heel spur is a calcium deposit on the underside of the heel bone. On an X-ray, a heel spur protrusion can extend forward by as much as a half-inch. Without visible X-ray evidence, the condition is sometimes known as “heel spur syndrome.” The heel pain associated with heel spurs and plantar fasciitis may not respond well to rest. If you walk after a night’s sleep, the pain may feel worse as the plantar fascia suddenly elongates, which stretches and pulls on the heel.

Heel Pain Treatment & Relief:

If you have heel pain that persists for more than one month, consult a podiatrist. He or she may recommend conservative treatments such as: stretching exercises and physical therapy, A podiatrist can also evaluate arch and heel pain and may prescribe customized shoe inserts called orthoses to aid in heel pain treatment. A variety of heel cushions and pads may also be recommended. Wearing cushioned shoes with an elevated heel may decrease pressure and alleviate some pain and provide heel pain relief. Dr. Hurless highly recommends the 3/4 length Powerstep supports to his patients and customers. He finds that many patients find this as an affordable solution to custom orthotics. Learn more.

An infected foot is often painful and can make it difficult to walk. An infection can occur after an injury to your foot. Bacteria can get into a wound, such as a cut or a skin crack, and cause an infection. Athlete’s foot and toenail fungus are also common fungal foot infections. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes mellitus and ingrown toenails, can also increase your risk for foot infections. An infected foot needs to be treated. Treatment will depend on the type of infection. Left untreated, a bacterial infection in the foot can lead to cellulitis, which is a potentially serious skin infection that can spread to your lymph nodes and bloodstream. Learn more.

Sprained ankles may occur when a person accidentally rolls, twists, or turns their ankle in an awkward way. When this occurs, ligaments in the ankle are being forced beyond their range of motion, thus causing an injury. Some symptoms that point to having a sprained ankle may include swelling, bruising, tenderness, and pain inflicted on the affected area. Some may also experience restricted range of motion or feel instability in the ankle Learn more.

An ingrown toenail is medically referred to as Onychocryptosis. Ingrown nails are the most common nail impairment, and are nails whose corners or sides dig painfully into the soft tissue of nail grooves, often leading to irritation, redness, swelling and infection. Sometimes there may be a clear yellowish drainage, or if it becomes infected, pus drainage. Usually, toenails grow straight out. Sometimes, however, one or both corners or sides curve and grow into the flesh. The big toe is usually the victim of this condition, but other toes can also become affected. If you have diabetes or another condition that causes poor blood flow to your feet or if you suffer from nerve damage, you’re at greater risk of complications of ingrown toenails. Learn more.

Puncture wounds in the foot, caused by foreign bodies, can be deceptive in appearance. This is because many show little or no signs of external damage, yet they may have caused a serious internal injury. Some of the more common objects that cause these injuries include nails, pins or tacks, wood, glass and thorns. There is usually little bleeding from puncture wounds and these wounds seem to close almost immediately. However, this does not mean treatment is not necessary. Puncture wounds do have a risk of becoming infected. The object that caused the wound may carry spores of tetanus or other bacteria, especially if the object was exposed to the soil. It’s important to get it evaluated and treated. Always know when your last tetanus shot was done too. Learn more.

Diabetic foot ulcers are a common and serious complication of diabetes. These open sores or wounds on the feet require prompt and specialized attention to prevent infection and further complications. At Urgent Care for Feet, we provide comprehensive wound care for diabetic foot ulcers to help you heal faster and reduce the risk of long-term damage. If you’re dealing with a diabetic foot ulcer, it’s vital that you do not delay seeking treatment right away. Learn more.