If your feet hurt, each step you take can cause pain. This is no way to live! A variety of reasons can cause foot and ankle problems. Chronic illness, overuse, poorly fitting shoes and diabetes are just a few conditions that can result in foot or ankle pain. Thankfully, foot doctors who specialize in treating foot and ankle problems can help to diagnose and treat your pain.
At Cary Orthopaedics, our foot and ankle experts utilize both non-invasive and surgical treatments to treat orthopaedic foot pain. But first, let’s discuss a few signs of foot problems and the reasons to see a foot doctor.
Joint pain in your foot or ankle
Arthritis in your foot can be excruciating but is very common. If the joints in your foot feel stiff, tender or inflamed, it’s probably time to make an appointment with a foot specialist. Arthritis in your foot can change the way you walk to avoid pain, but this can lead to even worse problems and further pain. A foot doctor has a toolkit of treatments to relieve this joint pain, so it no longer affects your daily life.
You suspect a break or sprain
Treating a foot or ankle injury can help avoid longer-term pain and foot problems with your feet. A foot doctor can quickly diagnose your injury with imaging diagnostics and come up with the best course of action. If you have suffered an injury to your foot or ankle, it’s best to seek out an orthopaedic foot specialist as quickly as possible.
Changes in the shape of your foot
While the shape of your foot changes slowly throughout your life, sudden changes in your foot shape are not normal and are always a reason to see a foot specialist. If you notice any change in the shape of your foot that is resulting in pain, it might require some type of intervention to stop the pain. Custom orthotics are always a great tool that many doctors and physical therapists use to ease foot pain associated with foot shape.
A painful bunion
A bunion happens when the joint of your big toe is out of place. This will look like a bump at the base of your big toe. Unfortunately, bunions will only get worse if left untreated. Make an appointment with a foot doctor as soon as you start to notice a bunion. There are many non-invasive treatment options for bunions including padding, taping or medication. In severe cases, your doctor may suggest bunion surgery.
Your toes are misshapen
Toe deformities can form even later in life. Hammer toe is just one of the foot conditions to look out for when it comes to your toes. Hammer toe causes a deformity in the second, third or fourth toes. With this condition, toes are bent at the middle joint, resembling a hammer. Hammer toes are still flexible and can be corrected with non-invasive treatments if treated early. If hammer toe is left untreated, they become more difficult to fix and may require foot surgery.
Ankle and knee pain
Even if you don’t feel pain in your foot, pain in your ankle and knee may be caused by an improper gait. A foot doctor can evaluate your walk and stance to identify issues that may lead to pain in other parts of your body. Physical therapy can be a useful tool in correcting your gait to avoid pain.
You are training for a marathon in the Triangle
Runners are even more prone to aches and pains from their feet. Excessive stress on your feet and shins can cause shin splints. A foot specialist can help identify any potential problems running might be causing you. They can also recommend the best type of running shoe for your foot.
Foot doctor in Cary and Raleigh
Cary Orthopaedics’ foot and ankle specialists focus not only on treating the symptoms of foot and ankle injuries but on understanding the underlying cause of the pain. We diagnose and treat a wide array of orthopaedic foot and ankle conditions, and we strive to educate our patients on the benefits of strengthening and stretching the feet and making proper shoe and insole selections to maintain your foot and ankle health.
