We rely on our feet to get us where we need to go and with so much expected of our feet, it is not surprising that one in four people experience foot pain during their lifetime. While some foot troubles are hereditary, others are accidental and occur because you have done something unusual, overdone some activity or ventured into an area where your feet were exposed to infection or other dangers.
While there are several conditions that bring about chronic ankle pain, the most common cause for a persistently painful ankle is incomplete healing after a sprain. When you sprain your ankle, the connecting tissue between the bones is stretched and in some cases, may be torn. Without thorough rehabilitation, the ligaments and surrounding muscles may remain weak and unstable. Ankle instability increases the likelihood for additional or repetitive ankle injuries. In fact, almost half of all people who sprain their ankle once will experience additional ankle sprains and chronic pain.
Symptoms of chronic ankle pain typically include pain on the outer side of the ankle. This pain can limit an individual’s ability to walk or participate in sports. Some individuals have trouble walking on uneven ground or walking in heels; they may feel like their ankle is giving way. A vast majority of people experience swelling, stiffness and/or tenderness around the ankle joint. When our feet are in pain, we are unable to enjoy daily activities, which may lead to an array of other health conditions. Take the time now so your feet can continue to hold you up, move you around and get you from here to there.
If you or a loved one is experiencing ankle pain, I invite you to attend a free seminar on the causes, treatments and surgical options for ankle pain and instability. The seminar, open to the public, will be held on Thurs, September 17, 2015 in the PMC Pebble Creek Conference Room. Doors will open at 6pm; presentation will begin at 6:30p and light refreshments will be served. Registration is preferred; please call 208-239-1048 to reserve a seat.
Similar to other medical conditions, early detection and diagnosis of foot problems is important. When problems are diagnosed early, patients often have a broader range of treatment options. If pain is compromising your daily activities or if you are plagued by gout, bunions, calluses and corns, plantar warts, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, flat feet, chronic athlete’s foot, hammertoes, fungal infections, ankle pain or instability, we are here to help.
At Valley Foot and Ankle, treatment plans focus on reducing pain, restoring function and preventing further injury. We commonly recommend the most conservative treatment options to alleviate pain and suffering.