Medically Reviewed by Dr. Rachel N. Verville
February 9, 2017
For being such a relatively small part of your body, your feet can certainly experience a lot of ailments. Pain, swelling and poor circulation can all affect your feet, causing you discomfort, difficulty walking or leading to worsening conditions. But what causes these issues in the feet, and how does a foot doctor like Frisco Dr. Verville of RNV Podiatry treat them? Read on to learn more!
Pain in the Feet.
Pain in the feet is probably one of the most common reasons that Frisco area patients come to see foot doctor, Dr. Verville. There are a variety of feet and ankle conditions that cause painful feet, including:
- Achilles Tendon Injuries, which occur when the Achilles tendon – one of the largest tendons in the body that stretches from your heel to your calf muscle – is torn or damaged. Achilles tendon injuries are very common in athletes and can leave you sidelined for weeks, months or even require surgery. Typically, rest and relaxation are ordered for Achilles tendon injuries.
- Hammertoes, a toe deformity that usually affects the second, third, fourth and fifth toe. Hammertoe is when the top joint of the toe is in a bent position, causing the entire toe to look like a hammer or a claw. Hammertoe is often caused by wearing high heels, shoes that are too tight, shoes that are pointy or shoes that hurt your feet. In rare cases, hammertoe may be a genetic condition present at birth. The best way to cure hammertoe is to start wearing properly fitting shoes, though surgery by a Frisco foot doctor may be indicated in some cases.
- Morton’s Neuroma, a painful foot condition that affects the balls of your feet and makes it feel like you are standing on a small pebble or rock. It is caused by the nerves attached to the third and fourth toes. Morton’s neuroma can be alleviated by wearing better shoes or shoe supports and inserts, taping your foot, pain medication, and orthotics.
- Plantar Fasciitis, a common condition that causes Frisco area patients to see foot doctor Dr. Verville of RNV Podiatry. With plantar fasciitis, your foot experiences small tears and rips in the plantar fascia, the tissue that supports the arch of the foot. Plantar fasciitis can make it very painful for you to stand up and walk, especially first thing in the morning. Typically rest, physical therapy and medication for pain and inflammation are ordered for plantar fasciitis.
Swelling of the Feet.
Though it may seem like we’ve all experienced a sprained ankle at one point or another in our lives, a serious sprain can be a significant condition. Sprained ankles stretch and tear the ligaments that stabilize the ankle, and can cause excessive swelling and pain. Typically, the treatment for a severely sprained ankle is rest and relaxation, staying off the foot, icing and wearing a compression bandage to control swelling and bruising.
Swelling can also occur if you have tarsal tunnel in your ankle, which is when the small space near your ankle bone – the space that houses a number of nerves and arteries and is covered by a ligament – is compressed. To treat tarsal tunnel, Frisco area foot doctor Rachel Verville recommends rest and relaxation, wearing comfortable shoes, using shoe supports and inserts, taping the foot, taking medication to control pain and inflammation, prescription orthotics, icing and physical therapy.
Poor Circulation of the Feet.
If you’re a diabetic, you’re at risk for a host of foot problems, including poor circulation of the feet and Diabetic neuropathy. All diabetics should see an experienced Frisco foot doctor to maintain proper foot health, as something like poor circulation of the feet can escalate to more dangerous conditions and lead to amputations.
What Do I Do if I’m Experiencing These Symptoms?
If you’re experiencing pain, swelling or poor circulation of the feet, it’s best that you contact Frisco foot doctor Dr. Rachel Verville or RNV Podiatry right away for a full examination. You can schedule an appointment today by calling (214) 385-8822.
