What are common foot injuries?
Some of the most common foot injuries occur from accidents, falls, sports injuries, and other types of injuries that result in inflammation and trauma to your soft tissues and bones. Common foot injuries and complications include:
- Stress fractures
- Ankle sprains
- Heel spurs
- Chronic inflammation
- Broken bones
- Torn ligaments or tendons
- Nerve compression, such as tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Benign nodules or growths, such as plantar fibroma
- Bunions
- Achilles tendonitis
- Overuse injuries
- Chronic inflammation
Medical conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may cause chronic inflammation that results in damage or injury to your foot structure.
How can I prevent foot injuries?
Dr. Giagnacova helps you take the appropriate steps to prevent future injuries from activities such as running, walking, or jogging. To prevent a foot injury from occurring, it’s helpful to:
- Warm up and stretch prior to engaging in sports or other physical activity
- Train and condition your muscles for the sport or activity
- Choose athletic shoes specifically for your foot type
- Visit Next Step Foot & Ankle for useful tips, information, and education on foot health and injury prevention
- Try custom orthotics to help align, position, and protect your feet
- Replace athletic shoes when the tread wears out
It’s also important to listen to your body, and if you feel pain or warning signs that you might be overusing or irritating your muscles or tendons, or causing damage to your feet, take time to rest the affected area.
How are foot injuries treated?
Dr. Giagnacova offers both surgical and nonsurgical treatment methods if you have a foot injury. The right treatment for your foot injury depends on the type, cause, and severity of your injury.
After conducting a physical exam, consultation, and any necessary testing, Dr. Giagnacova creates a personalized treatment plan and might recommend one or more of the following:
- Topical or oral pain relievers
- Medications, such as anti-inflammatories
- Regular appropriate exercise and physical therapy
- Optimal nutrition
- Custom orthotics
- Surgery
In addition to these measures, to help ease your foot pain at home you can:
- Try not to put too much weight on your ankle and be sure to rest frequently
- Place an ice pack on your ankle three times a day for 15 minutes
- Use a compression bandage to reduce swelling
- Elevate your foot
- Take over-the-counter pain medications
Dr. Giagnacova uses the latest state-of-the-art techniques, procedures, and technology to diagnose and treat your foot pain and help you recover faster from your injury.
From sports injuries to a fall, if you’ve suffered a foot injury, call Next Step Foot & Ankle in Philadelphia or use online booking to schedule an appointment today.