Foot and ankle injuries are a common source of frustration as they involve severe pain in the small bones, ligaments, and tendons. It takes a lot of patience to treat the pain somewhat, and you need professional help to deal with such severe pain. You can heal some minor injuries in these areas. However, you need an expert to treat the painful and disruptive pain, and thus, you must know the timing to seek professional medical help to prevent long-term complications.
In this article, we will understand when the right time to seek professional help is. There would be many podiatrists around you in your area where you can consider consulting about your problems. There are podiatrists like Tucson Podiatrist where you can seek help and try to solve your foot and ankle issues.
What are Common Foot and Ankle Injuries?
Various types of foot and ankle injuries range from mild sprains to severe fractures. However, some of the common injuries include:
Ankle Sprain
An ankle sprain is considered one of the most common issues among people, regardless of age group. It occurs when the ligaments that support the ankle stretch to tear. It happens when you twist or turn your ankle in an awkward way that leads to stretching of the ligaments. There can be mild to severe ankle sprain. However, it is highly suggested that you consult a professional doctor even when you are facing a mild sprain.
Plantar Fasciitis
In this condition, the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs across the bottom of your foot, would be inflamed. It also connects your heel bone to your toes, and when there is inflammation in this area, it causes serious pain. This pain is commonly found among runners and individuals who spend long hours on their feet.
Fractures
A fracture is a break in one or more of the bones in the ankle or foot. It can occur either from direct trauma, such as a collision, or from overuse that causes stress fractures. Common symptoms of a fracture include severe pain, swelling, bruising, or an inability to bear weight on the affected foot or ankle.
Stress Fractures
Stress fractures are tiny cracks in the bones of the foot or ankle caused by repetitive force from overuse. They are also commonly found in athletes who put a lot of pressure on their feet. If an individual does not consider seeking professional help with the initial pain, then the pain can escalate to a serious level.
Achilles Tendonitis
It is caused by overuse of the Achilles tendon, a band that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It mainly causes pain and stiffness in the back of the heel, especially during periods of inactivity.
When to Seek Professional Help for Treatment?
When you start feeling foot and ankle pain, it might range from mild to severe pain. However, it is not necessary to consult doctors at all levels, but if there is a condition when you are taking medicines but still have no relief, then, in this case, you should consult an expert doctor. Some of the reasons why we should seek professional help for treatment such as:
- If you experience intense pain or swelling that doesn’t go away even after trying every possible method, such as ice, compression, and elevation, then it is a condition in which professional help is important.
- If there is a condition where you are unable to bear the weight on your foot or ankle and there is significant pain in your joints, then it is a condition that says to consult a professional doctor.
- If your body has any deformity or out-of-place formation, it is crucial that you seek immediate medical help.
- Persistent pain is also one of the essential reasons to consult a doctor.
- Numbness and tingling indicate that there is nerve damage or compression that requires professional treatment.
These are some of the situations when you must consult a professional doctor and take proper medications.
