Foot and ankle pain can significantly impact your daily life. Everyday activities like walking, standing, or exercising, may become painful or difficult.
Chronic pain can cause reduced mobility, and make it hard to enjoy hobbies or even complete simple tasks. This cannot only lead to frustration but also cause stress, and a lower quality of life.
And when you fail to visit a good foot and ankle specialist clinic in Singapore on time, your niggling foot and ankle problems can result in compensatory injuries in other areas of the body.
For example, you may now start dealing with injuries on the knees, hips, and lower back. What this does is that it creates a cycle of pain that affects your overall well-being.
What Are Common Foot and Ankle Issues?
Several conditions can affect your foot and ankle. Here are some of the most common issues that may require the expertise of a specialist;
- Plantar Fasciitis: This condition involves inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. It causes sharp pain in the heel, especially in the morning or after sitting for a while. Activities like walking or running can worsen the pain. Treatment often includes stretching exercises, orthotics, and anti-inflammatory medications.
- Ankle Sprains: Ankle sprains occur when ligaments are stretched or torn, usually due to sudden twisting or impact. The symptoms you may typically get with an ankle sprain include pain, swelling, and difficulty bearing weight. Treatment typically involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation (the RICE method). Severe sprains may require immobilization or physical therapy.
- Achilles Tendinitis: This is an overuse injury that affects the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Symptoms include pain and stiffness along the tendon, particularly after activity. Treatment usually involves rest, ice, stretching, and possibly the use of orthotics to relieve pressure on the tendon.
- Flat Feet (Pes Planus): Flat feet occur when the arches of the feet collapse, causing the entire foot to touch the ground. This condition can lead to discomfort and pain in the feet, ankles, and lower legs. Treatment options include custom orthotics, supportive footwear, and physical therapy to strengthen the foot muscles.
- Morton’s Neuroma: This condition involves a thickening of the tissue around a nerve between the toes, typically the third and fourth toes. Symptoms include sharp pain, burning sensations, and numbness in the toes. Treatment often involves wearing wider shoes, custom orthotics, or corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation.
When to Consult a Foot and Ankle Specialist
To get effective treatment, you should be able to recognize the signs that indicate it is time to see a foot and ankle specialist. Here are key symptoms to watch for:
- Persistent Pain: If you experience ongoing pain in your foot or ankle that doesn’t improve with home care methods like rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relief, it’s time to find a knowledgeable foot and ankle specialist. Chronic pain may indicate a more serious underlying condition.
- Swelling: Swelling in the foot or ankle that lasts for more than a few days or is accompanied by severe pain or bruising should be evaluated. Persistent swelling can indicate injury or inflammation that requires medical attention.
- Inability to Bear Weight: If you cannot walk or bear weight on your foot or ankle without significant pain, seek professional help immediately. This could signify a fracture or severe sprain that needs proper diagnosis and treatment.
- Numbness or Tingling: Experiencing numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in your foot or ankle can be a sign of nerve compression or injury. This warrants an evaluation by a specialist to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
- Changes in Foot Shape: Any noticeable changes in the shape of your foot, such as bunions or hammertoes, can indicate structural problems that may require intervention. Seeking early treatment can prevent worsening issues and improve comfort.
Foot and ankle specialists have a variety of treatment options to address various conditions. If diagnosed with a foot and ankle problem, one of the key treatments you may be recommended is physical therapy.
Physical therapy is often recommended for strengthening exercises and stretches to improve flexibility and function. A therapist can create a tailored program to address specific issues to reduce pain and improve mobility.
You may also be recommended custom orthotics which are shoe inserts designed to correct alignment and provide support. They can help get rid of the pain from conditions like plantar fasciitis, flat feet, and other structural problems.
Also, your foot and ankle specialist may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or pain relievers to manage symptoms. In some cases, corticosteroid injections may be recommended to reduce inflammation and pain in specific areas.
In severe cases where conservative treatments don’t give desirable results, surgery may be recommended. Common surgical procedures include tendon repair, bunionectomy, or ankle arthroscopy. The decision for surgery depends on the specific condition and overall health of the patient.
In Closing
You do not want to ignore symptoms of a foot and ankle problem as this can lead to further complications and chronic pain. If you’re worried about persistent pain, be sure to seek timely treatment.
In the hands of a knowledgeable foot and ankle specialist, you have a very good chance of getting better outcomes. It may also not take long before you can return to an active, pain-free lifestyle.
Are you experiencing foot or ankle pain that just doesn’t seem to go away despite your best efforts to manage or treat it? It could be time you consult a foot and ankle specialist.
Schedule an appointment with a qualified foot and ankle expert to assess your condition and explore appropriate treatment options. Taking care of your feet is crucial for your overall health and well-being. If you’re in Singapore, get in touch with a foot and ankle specialist at;
Cove Orthopaedic Clinic – Mount Elizabeth Orchard: Orthopaedic Surgeon
3 Mount Elizabeth, #14-13 Medical Centre,
Singapore 228510
+65 9631 7637
