Your feet are pounding as you walk, work, and participate in sports. So, you may develop an acute injury, such as a sprain or fracture, or a chronic problem, such as a strained heel tendon. Depending on the severity, your injury needs special attention.
Let’s talk about some tips to treat your foot, reduce pain, improve function, and get back to normal activities and where you can go for effective foot injury treatment in Kingsport, Tennessee.
Kinds of Foot Injuries
There are all kinds of ways your foot may be injured. Sprains and strains are some of the most common, as the connective tissues in the foot are overstretched or torn. Fractures due to trauma or simply twisting the foot abnormally occur, too.
Foot injuries happen when you:
- Are involved in sports (painful plantar fasciitis develops with repetitive motions such as jumping and running)
- Work a job that involves hard physical labor and lifting
- Are you in your senior years
- Have a degenerative condition, such as osteoarthritis or osteoporosis
- Wear shoes that are ill-fitting or provide inadequate support
Sadly, people with diabetes are at risk for impaired peripheral circulation and neuropathy, thus leading to dangerous wounds, ulcers, and infections in the feet and ankles.
Symptoms of a Foot Injury
Symptoms to watch for include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Deformity
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Redness and warmth
You should see your foot doctor for an in-office evaluation when symptoms persist. However, if symptoms such as inability to bear weight, fever, or extreme deformity develop, seek treatment at your nearest hospital emergency room. In addition, people with diabetes, peripheral venous, or artery disease should see their foot doctors at least annually or as the physicians advise.
Tips For Treating a Foot Injury
More minor symptoms of foot injury may be treated at home. The first and best interventions include the RICE first aid protocol:
- Rest (get off your feet)
- Ice (20 minutes on and 20 minutes off)
- Compression (apply an elastic bandage to provide support and control swelling)
- Elevation (raising the affected limb above the level of the heart)
Additional tips include the following.
Pain medications
Over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen helps control pain and may limit swelling as well. Take them as your foot doctor or PCP directs.
Simple Stretching and ROM
When you sprain your foot or ankle, gentle range of motion exercises and stretching manage swelling and stiffness. These motions, along with work or sports training modifications, speed healing and may help you return to your job or favorite athletic activity more quickly and safely.
Wear Sensible Footwear
Avoid tight-fitting, high-heeled shoes with pointed-toe boxes. Instead, wear comfortable, low-heeled footwear that provides arch support and ample room in the toe boxes. If you are an athlete, wear shoes appropriate for your sport, and change them before they wear out.
Use Orthotics and Assistive Devices
Your foot doctor may advise custom-made orthotics, or shoe inserts, to protect and support your injured foot and correct dysfunctional gait or balance issues. Most people wear their orthotics consistently throughout the day to offload weight on their injuries. A cane, crutches, or walking boot help reduce stress when you ambulate.
Exceptional Foot and Ankle Care in Kingsport, Tennessee
If you are suffering from a foot injury, you can rely on the experts of Associated Orthopaedics. Our board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Benjamin Potter, is your go-to foot doctor for chronic and acute foot and ankle injuries, degenerative conditions, and diseases. He is an expert in reconstruction, sports medicine, trauma, ankle replacement surgery, and state-of-the-art arthroscopy.
To know more about our comprehensive services or schedule a consultation, call us today at (423) 245-3161 or fill out our convenient online appointment request form.
We look forward to keeping you on the move!
