Why Foot Injuries Become Permanent
If you're an athlete, or an active person, you may have at one time suffered a foot injury. Though it is painful, you may feel tempted to keep going. After all, pain is a necessary part of running, walking or jogging. You're wrong.
The truth is that ignoring that pain can put extra pressure on your foot and even cause permanent damage. Find out more.
Pressure
If you continue to exercise despite the pain, you run the risk of worsening the situation and making it harder for the injury to heal. In order for tissue and bones to regrow, they need to be alleviated from pressure and inflammation.
Ignorance
Many times you'll find that you don't know the real cause of your foot pain, so you are basing yourself on assumptions. The problem could be more serious than you imagine. The safest thing would be to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment. An orthopedic surgery specialist is best to rule out fractures and other conditions that require surgical intervention to heal properly. Things like high ankle fractures will only get worse without proper diagnosis and treatment, so don't assume your injury is nothing.
Not Following your Doctors' Instructions
Failure to follow your doctor's instructions can undo the gains that have been made and cause an injury to recur. Your doctor may advise you to rest your foot but instead, you continue exercising. Trust your doctor. They know what's best. If surgery or steroid injections are needed for your injury, don't put them off due to a lack of funds or time.
Types of Pain That You Should Never Ignore
Some pains are on the surface and may go away on their own; others are more serious and should never be ignored. A burning sensation, weakness, tingling or numbness can be a sign of nerve damage.
You should see your orthopedic surgery specialist as soon as possible if you have these symptoms. If left untreated, this kind of pain can cause permanent damage to your foot. Ruling out nerve damage should be a first step when you have an injury that causes significant pain in the lower extremities.
Common Foot Injuries
Morton's Neuroma is a condition where you experience tingling, numbness and a burning sensation between the third and fourth toe. Treatment may include pain relief medication, mild electrical stimulation and relaxation.
Plantar fasciitis presents as a stabbing pain that occurs at the heel of your foot. Your orthopedist will most likely recommend exercises designed to move pressure away from the heel.
Achilles tendinopathy occurs at the tendon, the joint between your heel and your lower leg.
Fracture
Repeated pressure on the foot can cause a fracture to worsen. Symptoms include bruising, swelling and redness. For treatment, your orthopedic specialist may recommend that you rest your foot. They may have to immobilize it in a boot. In some cases, surgery may be an option.
The most common causes of permanent damage to foot injuries are delayed treatment, pressure, ignorance, and inability to follow medical instructions.
If the pain is persistent or strange, see your orthopedic specialist at once. That pain could be a symptom of something worse and may even cause permanent damage. Once the problem is diagnosed, follow your doctor's instructions. For more information, contact establishments like El Camino Center for Sports Medicine.
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