The foot and ankle are both crucial parts of our musculoskeletal system. They help us move from one place to another. However, such parts are more prone to injuries than others. In addition, athletes are even more at risk. To relieve pain in the foot and ankle, consider this article.
R.I.C.E. For Post-Injury Inflammation Control
Injuries happen in everyday life, especially among active human beings for example athletes, labourers, field workers, etc. Consider the following first-aid options after an injury!
Rest: Give the affected part enough rest. Don’t use it as it can cause further damage.
Apply Ice Packs: Prepare an ice pack. Take a towel or some piece of cloth. Wrap some ice cubes in it. And, apply it to the injured area. It will reduce swelling and pain. Don’t apply for too long at a time. Apply it for at least 10-15 minutes once and then leave it for 2-3 hours. Repeat it whenever possible within the first or second day after an injury.
Use Compression Bandages: Compressing the injured foot and ankle with the help of a bandage or a piece of cloth will also help with swelling and pain post-injury. However, make sure it is not too tight.
Elevate: Besides rest, ice pack application, and compression, don’t forget to elevate. Lie down on your back and elevate the leg at the heart level. Use cushions or pillows to raise the leg with the affected foot.
Anti-Inflammatory Diet: Certain substances in your diet increase inflammation. Thus, after an injury, consult a dietitian. Tailor your food intake accordingly. It might help reduce inflammatory problems after an injury.
Activity Modification: Don’t strain your injured foot and ankle right away. After the R.I.C.E. technique, give it some time to recover fully. Consider activity modification for some time. Avoid putting too much pressure on the injured foot. Use crutches or other assistive devices if you need to walk for essential tasks like using the washroom or otherwise.
Consult an Orthopedic Doctor: If your pain doesn’t go away and persists for days or weeks, you might have injured your foot or ankle too much. Intense physical falls or collisions can easily lead to bad fractures and soft-tissue injuries.
Such intense injuries will not be cured by home care. Consulting a doctor becomes crucial. In this case, ensure you meet with an orthopedic doctor for the exact diagnosis and effective treatment.
To connect with the best joint doctor, visit the following link: foot and ankle doctor in Delhi.
Causes of Foot and Ankle Pain
The foot and ankle are complicated joints with the involvement of so many bones and soft-tissue parts. A variety of external and internal factors can cause damage to such parts of the body, leading to pain and other inflammatory symptoms.
The following are major causes of pain in the foot and ankle.
Injuries: Accidents can damage parts of the ankle and foot leading to inflammation, which can last longer if not treated on time and well.
Arthritis: Age-related or post-traumatic arthritis can also cause chronic pain.
Sprains: Ligamentous injuries also cause inflammation. A ligament attaches one bone to another. The tearing of a ligament is medically called a sprain. There are three types of ligament injuries, i.e., Grade 1 sprain, Grade 2 sprain, and Grade 3 sprain.
A Grade 3 Sprain denotes a complete or near complete tear in the concerned ligament.
Strains: Stretching or tearing of a tendon or muscles also leads to inflammation. It can cause pain for long if not treated on time.
Fractures: Involving in an intense accident might result in bone breaks in the ankle or foot.
Osteoporosis: Weak bone mass density decreases tolerance and the body gets strained even at the slightest level of physical activity. Thus, chronic foot pain might be due to osteoporotic bones.
Nerve Compression: When a nerve gets pinched, it causes radiating pain. It can happen to the foot and ankle as well. An example of such a condition is Sciatica, which causes radiating pain that travels from any of the buttocks to either leg.
Other Conditions: Ingrown Toenails, Corns and Calluses, Bunions, Metatarsalgia, Hammer Toe, etc., are certain other conditions that can cause foot or ankle pain.
How Are Foot and Ankle Problems Diagnosed?
The following imaging tests are used for diagnosis.
- X-Ray
- MRI
- CT Scan
An X-ray test can help discover fractures in the bones and joints. However, X-rays cannot help diagnose soft-tissue injuries. For that, an MRI or a CT scan can be used. MRI aren’t suitable in every condition.
Patients with metal implants cannot be suggested an MRI test. Magnetic Resonance Imaging can interfere with metal implants already inside the patient’s body, complicating the situation. Thus, for such patients, a CT scan is used instead of an MRI.
Treatment for Foot and Ankle Pain
To control inflammation immediately after an injury, refer to the first heading of the article to learn about the best first-aid procedure.
For chronic pain, book your appointment with a joint specialist. The doctor might consider any of the following for the treatment.
Medicines: To control pain, the doctor can offer pain medications, which can include oral, topical and injectable drugs.
Injections: Injectables typically include injections of corticosteroids to offer pain relief.
Physiotherapy: Physiotherapists work on injured muscles, ligaments, tendons, etc., to offer pain relief and restore function. A doctor can recommend physiotherapy for ankle and foot pain. Furthermore, physiotherapy will strengthen the foot overall, making it less prone to injuries in the future.
Surgery: Certain conditions like foot dislocations, hammertoe or bunions might require surgery for treatment and pain relief.
Conclusion
Immediately after an injury, rest, ice packs, compression bandages, and elevation can be used to reduce inflammation. However, if the pain and swelling persist, consult an orthopedic doctor.
To prevent injuries, practise mindfulness. Avoid foreseeable injuries. Wear protective gear while engaging in sports. Don’t jump from heights or if you are an athlete, learn proper techniques to move with minimal risk of physical injury.
To connect with the best knee specialist, visit the following link: knee pain treatment in Delhi.