Common Foot Problems You Should NOT Ignore!

As human beings, we have invented and developed solutions to many problems in the world. We’ve bridged the continents through air travel. We have built devices to survive underwater, in a desert—even on the moon!

And yet we’ll still have something happen to us and think, “Maybe it’ll just go away if I ignore it.” Sometimes human innovation still isn’t any match for human nature.

It can be quite easy to just set certain foot problems out of mind’s reach, or just keep putting off addressing them in hope they’ll go away on their own.

The truth, however, is that a lot of common foot problems just don’t go away on their own. And by ignoring certain problems, you either give them the chance to become worse or increase the risk of them leading to more consistent trouble down the line!

When it comes to the problems below, we wish a lot more people would come in and find help for them. No matter how long you might have been enduring any of these things, we’ll be so happy you made the choice to come in, and we will be able to help you.

That Hindering Heel Pain

If there is one condition we are amazed so many people just try to accept as a part of life, it’s heel pain.

It’s just that heel pain tends to remind itself of its existence so frequently. If you have plantar fasciitis, one of the most common causes of heel pain, odds are you spend the first few minutes of each morning hobbling around until you have “warmed up.”

A lot of people try one or two over-the-counter remedies for their heel pain. Unfortunately, they don’t tend to work very well. In the chance that they have, we’re very happy for you! But in many cases, you have to be more specific to find any significant relief.

First, the underlying cause of heel pain must be identified. This might involve an abnormality in your foot structure that causes you to have an unsteady gait or place excess pressure in certain places. Perhaps your calf muscles are tight and place too much strain on your Achilles tendon or heel bone. Or maybe you are pushing your lower body too hard in your workouts and are paying for it with an overuse injury.

Once the cause is targeted, the ideal form of treatment can then be recommended. In some cases, this may mean the use of custom orthotics. These will be specifically designed based on molds of your feet and specifically prescribed corrections and support—in other words, they’ll be incredibly more effective than store-bought insoles.

We might also recommend changes in footwear, workout habits, stretching, and other potential treatments. Getting the right treatment can make a world of difference in your everyday life!

Bothersome Bunions and Hammertoes

We understand that toe deformities such as bunions or hammertoes may be with you for a long time already, and that it doesn’t feel you can really do anything for them outside of surgery.

You might be surprised, though!

If you are not engaging in any forms of conservative treatment for bunions or hammertoes, you may be missing out on ways to ease discomfort and better manage your condition. These include devices that can take pressure off the area, stretches/exercises to build strength and stability in the toe, and other methods.

Even if you have had a bunion or a hammertoe for a long time, starting actions to increase your comfort and help prevent further shifting can only help you maintain mobility in the future.

If you’re afraid of a doctor leaping on you with the demand that you have surgery, don’t be! Surgery is only ever seen as a last resort if other methods don’t work. Conservative methods will always be attempted first if there is any chance they will be effective.

Agonizing Ankle Sprains

Are ankle sprains really something to worry about that much?

In the majority of cases, not especially. A minor sprain will often heal well with good at-home treatment.

Here’s the thing, though: We recommend you tell us when you have sprained your ankle. Don’t just let it fade into history!

Why is this important? Because sometimes an ankle sprain doesn’t heal perfectly. And when it doesn’t, it can contribute to problems down the road such as chronic pain, ankle instability, or a higher risk of suffering additional sprains.

If we begin to see such symptoms developing in your ankles, we will have a history of sprains (how and when they happened) to help us in our examination. It also doesn’t hurt to have some professional advice for home treatment, or a recommendation to come into the office if the sprain sounds more serious than normal.

Wishful Thinking is No Substitute for Expert Care

Just because a foot problem might be common doesn’t mean it’s something you should grin and bear.

If there’s One Big Thing to remember, it’s this: pain is simply not normal. If something is hurting you or causing discomfort in any way, and the ways you have tried to take care of it have not worked, it’s time to call a professional.

The sooner you begin to address a problem, the more likely you’ll find a faster and more effective resolution. Our office in Jasper is ready and open for all your foot and ankle needs. Give us a call at (812) 481-7200 or fill out our online contact form to get in touch today.