We all know that pain in your ankle or foot is never fun. And ankle and foot pain should never be ignored and always taken seriously because if an issue goes left untreated it could turn into a serious injury that will only worsen over time.
So, when is it time to start searching for a foot surgeon near me?
Of course, some ankle and foot conditions are going to be more serious than others and will need to be seen by a specialist right away. There are some things you can do at home to find relief from pain, but if the pain seems to worsen, always seek treatment from a specialist for additional options.
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Things to Do at Home
If you are experiencing mild pain in your ankle or foot, make sure to rest! This means keeping off of the injured foot and elevating it from time to time. In addition, you will always want to apply ice applications to help with swelling and perhaps take anti-inflammatory medication. You can learn about the best practices to strengthen your bones and joints, on this website: https://www.wellness786.com
Stretches are also going to help with the pain, but only if you know you just have a sore ankle or foot as you never want to injure your foot even more. It is possible that your foot or ankle is just irritated and just needs some extra rest along with extra tender and loving care.
Reasons to See a Specialist
When at home treatment doesn’t work, some serious foot and ankle conditions require you to see a foot specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Ankle sprains are one of the most common conditions and are not always taken as seriously as they should. If not properly treated, it could lead to chronic ankle issues and severe damage.
An ankle sprain is when one or more ankle ligaments are injured, usually on the outside of the ankle. You should always get x-rays, an MRI study or a CT scan to properly diagnose it.
Treatment for a minor ankle sprain usually requires rest, ice applications and possible orthotics. More severe sprains may require shockwave therapy, which is a non-invasive treatment, much safer than traditional surgery.
Plantar fasciitis is another common condition that needs treatment right away. This is when there is irritation to the plantar fascia, which is the natural arch of the foot and usually causes excruciating pain. Common symptoms include a stabbing sensation and regular foot pain. These symptoms usually develop gradually over time.
This can oftentimes be treated with plenty of rest and physical therapy, but more serious conditions will require surgery to restore natural movement in the foot.
Treatments Options Available at the Foot and Ankle Center of Arizona
There are treatment options aside from risky surgery for several serious and painful foot and ankle conditions. At the Foot and Ankle Center of Arizona, the team of experienced specialists offers specialized treatment plans for a variety of ankle and foot conditions. Treatment options include stem cell therapy, shockwave therapy, and platelet-rich plasma treatment. The team at SimpleGuidetoLiving.Com has received these treatment options and have been able to see success, without having surgery.