When your feet or ankles hurt, life changes. Your ability to do household chores, work at an active occupation, play sports, or simply enjoy walking your dog decreases. You need real relief. A foot and ankle specialist has the diagnostic skills and treatments to get you moving comfortably again. Here’s information about some common foot and ankle problems, their treatments, and a great foot and ankle pain doctor in Plantation, FL.
Bunions
Also called hallux valgus, a bunion is a sore, painful bump at the base of the big toe. Consisting mostly of bone thickened by connective tissue and arthritic changes, a bunion turns the big toe toward, and sometimes over, the second and third toes. People develop claw-like hammertoes and metatarsalgia, or pain in the ball of the same foot.
Bunions can cause gait issues and noticeable big toe deformity. Shoes may rub against bunions, causing callus formation.
To avoid bunion formation, people are encouraged to wear well-fitting shoes with roomy toe boxes. Heels should be no higher than two to two-and-a-half inches.
Additional treatment options include accommodative shoe inserts or orthotics, to correct gait issues and reduce friction. However, some bunions progress to the point that only surgery can correct the problem.
Bunionectomy is a surgery that removes the bony prominence and realigns the big toe joints. You will be bandaged and likely wear a walking boot during recovery, and many patients undergo physical therapy as part of their plans for recovery.
Ankle Sprain
One of the most common lower extremity injuries, the ankle sprain involves the stretching and tearing of fibrous ligaments which keep the ankle joint stable and help it move.
Usually caused by sudden sideways twisting of the foot and ankle, this sprain requires rest, ice to relieve swelling, compression with an elastic wrap bandage, and elevation. Pain relief medications like ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen can be used as needed.
People who are obese or who experience multiple ankle sprains may experience instability in this weight-bearing joint. Your orthopedic doctor will tell you if you require surgery to stabilize your ankle.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is a condition characterized by pain and swelling related to overstretching (and sometimes tearing) of the heel tendon, known as the Achilles tendon. This injury can occur from overuse (as with running) or with sudden stops and starts. Severe pain and stiffness of the connective tissue between the calf and heel are the cardinal features of this common orthopedic issue.
Surgery is used only for extreme cases of Achilles tendonitis. Most cases respond well to:
- Rest, ice, compression, and elevation, or RICE
- NSAIDs to relieve pain and swelling
- Splinting (to be worn at night)
- Custom orthotics to relieve pressure on the heel and stabilize the ankle
- Well-fitting shoes
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammatory condition that affects the connective tissue that spans the arch of the foot between the heel bone and toes. Often caused by overpronation–or twisting the foot toward the center of the body as you walk or run–plantar fasciitis may lead to heel spurs which are visible on X-ray examination.
Most people with plantar fasciitis do not require surgery. Rest helps reduce swelling, as do stretching exercises, massage, customized shoe inserts, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Also, people benefit from injection therapy – usually corticosteroids – and night-time splinting.
Flat Feet
Often a congenital condition characterized by foot arches that touch the floor when standing, this condition can affect gait efficiency. However, over time, flat feet can become painful.
Other causes include obesity, diabetes, and arthritis.
Both children and adults may have flat feet, and thankfully, most respond well to custom-made orthotics, directed exercises, and shoes with good arch support. Only severe deformity would necessitate corrective orthopedic surgery.
Foot And Ankle Pain Doctor in Plantation, FL
Don’t let foot and ankle pain negatively impact your day-to-day life. At Baylis and Brown Orthopedics in Plantation, FL, our professional team offers top-notch diagnostics and treatments that often leave our patients pain-free. Dr. Robert Baylis and Dr. Christopher Brown will consult with you to get at the source of your lower extremity issue and solve it quickly.
To arrange your in-depth appointment, call us at (954) 476-8800, or request your visit here. We look forward to easing your pain!
