I broke my ankle about three years ago in a car accident. I followed all of the doctor's instructions as my ankle healed, but something didn't heal quite right. Two and a half years later, I was still having severe pain and my doctor couldn't figure out why. He suggested that I see a podiatrist to have it looked at more closely. It turns out that there is a lot more to an ankle injury than I had known. Scroll through my site to find out what can really happen to your ankle when it is broken and what could cause the pain to continue long after the injury is sustained.
Your feet work hard to keep you standing, walking, running, and performing a variety of other activities. When something goes wrong with these lower extremities, you may need the services of a skilled podiatrist. Take a look at three common foot problems this medical specialist can treat.
1. Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis involves pain and inflammation in a band of tissue called the plantar fascia. This tissue connects the heel to the midfoot bones, supporting and maintaining the arch. Alignment errors in your foot bones, lack of arch support in your shoes, and too much standing can cause this painful disorder.
Podiatrists often treat plantar fasciitis by creating custom orthotics. These inserts, custom fabricated to match your foot contours precisely, give your arches the perfect degree of support to prevent abnormal stress and strains. You may also need to modify your daily routine or lose any extra weight that might strain your feet.
2. Ankle Sprains
When ligaments (the flexible tissues that connect bones to each other) get stretched or torn, doctors refer to the resulting injury as a sprain. You can sustain an ankle sprain if you twist your ankle beyond its normal range of motion. The results can include pain, swelling, bruising, and an inability to bear weight on the damaged ankle.
If you sprain your ankle, you should schedule a diagnostic exam with a foot and ankle doctor to determine the severity of the damage. A mild sprain may need only first aid through a combination of rest, ice, compression, and elevation, followed by physical therapy. If you have a severe sprain, your podiatrist may prescribe surgery.
3. Hammer Toe
Hammer toe involves a deformity in a toe's alignment. When the middle joint in a toe remains permanently bent, it sticks upward instead of resting flat alongside the other toes. This condition can lead to corns, calluses, redness, swelling, and difficulty wearing shoes or walking.
Since tight-fitting shoes can encourage hammer toe, your podiatrist may recommend that you switch to larger, looser-fitting footwear. You may also receive instructions on how to perform exercises that strengthen and/or relax the muscles in the affected toe. Surgery can correct a hammer toe that doesn't respond to conservative care.
You don't have to limp through your everyday life when you have access to specialized care that can ease your foot or ankle pain. Contact your local podiatrist today to schedule an exam and any treatment you might need.
For more information, contact a podiatrist near you.
Share2 August 2022
