Our feet – we rely on them day and night to take us to work, exercise, shopping … even just getting out of bed in the morning! So if our feet hurt because of a minor foot or toe injury, it’s a problem. Even everyday overuse or wear and tear can cause an injury, but most often our feet are hurt during sports and recreational activities, while walking, working or taking care of projects at home.
Common Foot Injuries
Many minor injuries will heal on their own, and first aid treatment may be all that is needed to relieve your symptoms and promote healing.
- Sprains and strains can cause pain, swelling and bruising and make it hard to walk. Use the I.C.E method of Resting the foot, Icing the area, applying a Compression bandage and Elevating the leg.
- Plantar fasciitis causes heel pain that is often most painful when you get up in the morning. The plantar fascia is a thick tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot, and it can get inflamed from overuse. Unless the pain is acute, rest your foot and apply ice to the area frequently. Take over–the–counter pain medication with your doctor’s permission to control pain and inflammation.
Stress fractures cause tiny breaks in the bones of the foot caused by overuse. The pain will come on gradually and can be accompanied by swelling. The I.C.E. treatment can relieve much of the pain. - Achilles tendonitis is a breakdown of the tissues near the Achilles tendon, which attaches the calf muscle to the heel bone. You’ll feel tenderness and stiffness just above the heel which will worsen with running or stair climbing. Over–the–counter anti–inflammatory medications can relieve pain and swelling, and gentle stretching exercises can heal and strengthen the tendon.
- Puncture wounds from stepping on a nail or an insect bite can be more than annoying as you’ll experience pain and swelling. Wash the wound, remove the object with tweezers, apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a clean bandage. Call your doctor as you may need a tetanus shot. Note that puncture wounds or any other type of injury to the skin of the foot can be very dangerous for those with diabetes – get medical help immediately.
Know When You Need Medical Attention
Home remedies won’t help if the injury is serious. If your foot pain is severe and prevents you from walking, or if you have persistent pain, bruising, redness and/or swelling that is not quickly relieved, please call us as soon as possible!
We’ll give your feet a complete examination and take x–rays and other imaging tests like ultrasounds and MRIs to determine the extent of the injury. Our treatment will depend on the injury we diagnose and its severity. Often custom–fitted orthotics can help relieve symptoms until your foot is healed. Don’t ignore foot pain as your condition may only get worse! Call us for quick, professional treatment to get you back on your feet as soon as possible.
Cornerstone Foot & Ankle is a full service foot and ankle specialty office with locations in Sewell, Cherry Hill, Marlton, Mt. Holly, Woodbury, and Glassboro; serving the South Jersey region. We offer a full suite of services including surgery, fracture care, fungal nail care, diabetic foot care, pediatric podiatry, custom braces and orthotics, wound care, limb salvage, and treatments for arch pain, heel pain, and sports injuries; just to name a few. If it hurts below your knee, we can help you! CALL NOW or request your appointment online TODAY!