Foot and Ankle Pain in Norridge, IL
Understanding Foot Pain
Foot pain is probably one of the most common reasons people come to Norridge Foot and Ankle Clinic for answers. While minor bouts of fleeting pain can often be treated with simple home care, there are moments when you’ll want to turn to a foot care professional for treatment.
First and foremost, you should never ignore any kind of pain, particularly pain that impacts your feet and ankles. After all, pain that keeps you from performing at your best or enjoying everyday activities should be addressed by a qualified podiatrist. Of course, foot pain is rather generic and countless issues could be going on, which is another reason to turn to us for care. By finding out what’s really going on, we can also map out a treatment plan that caters to you and the exact issues you’re dealing with.
When you come into our Norridge, IL office for a consultation, we will examine your feet, ask you questions about your pain (including location, when it started, and the severity), and perform a physical exam and imaging tests to rule out certain conditions while also making a definitive diagnosis.
What Causes Foot Pain?
There are many causes of foot and ankle pain including:
- Arthritis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendonitis
- Bone spurs
- Bursitis
- Bunions and hammertoes
- Sprains and strains
- Fractures
Any kind of new or worsening pain should be checked out by a podiatrist, especially if your pain is the result of an injury or accident. By seeing a doctor right away we can provide you with the proper treatment you need to heal properly. Putting off treatment, however, can lead to weakness, limited range of motion, chronic pain and inflammation, and long-term instability. This is why it’s important to turn to our team if you are dealing with pain that doesn’t go away within a couple of days of home care, or pain that gets worse or is severe.
Understanding Ankle Pain
From long endurance runs on weekends to wearing those towering high heels out on a date, there are many reasons why you may find yourself dealing with achy, tired, or painful ankles the next day. While you might be able to pinpoint this discomfort when it happens to you, other times you may not understand what’s causing you pain. When this occurs, Norridge Foot and Ankle Clinic is here to answer your questions and provide your ankle with the quality care it needs to heal quickly and efficiently.
What Causes Ankle Pain?
Chronic lateral ankle pain is recurring or chronic pain on the outside part of the ankle that often develops after an injury such as a sprained ankle. Signs and symptoms include:
- Ankle instability
- Difficulty walking on uneven ground or in high heels
- Pain, sometimes intense, on the outer side of the ankle
- Repeated ankle sprains
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
Although ankle sprains are the most common cause of chronic lateral ankle pain, other causes may include:
- A fracture in one of the bones that make up the ankle joint
- Arthritis of the ankle joint
- Inflammation of the joint lining
- Injury to the nerves that pass through the ankle. In this case, the nerves become stretched, torn, injured by a direct blow, or pinched under pressure
- Scar tissue in the ankle after a sprain. The scar tissue takes up space in the joint, putting pressure on the ligaments
- Torn or inflamed tendon
Treatments for chronic lateral ankle pain include:
- Over the counter or prescription anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling. Note: Please consult your physician before taking any medications.
- Physical therapy, including tilt-board exercises that focus on strengthening the muscles, restoring range of motion, and increasing your perception of joint position.
- Ankle braces or other supports.
- Steroid medication.
- Immobilization to allow the bone to heal (in cases of fractures).