Your feet and ankles tell a lot about your overall health. It is no secret that serious medical conditions will cause changes in the lower extremities. Your feet and ankles provide stability and mobility. They take you where you need to go, making them very important to your quality of life.
Pain in the foot or ankle should be seen by a doctor immediately. Here’s why.
It Could Be Due To Peripheral Arterial Disease
PAD is a serious condition that is caused by plaque buildup in the leg arteries. It can cause leg and foot pain. With this condition, there is decreased flow of oxygen-rich blood to the lower extremities, which can cause pain, cramping, and other symptoms. People diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease are at risk of heart disease and stroke. Many patients with PAD may also have other underlying medical conditions, which need to be addressed quickly.
You May Have Diabetes
Uncontrolled blood glucose levels can lead to type 2 diabetes. This condition is notorious for damaging nerves, particularly the peripheral nerves in the hands and feet. Symptoms of peripheral nerve damage include foot pain, tingling, and numbness. You can have diabetes and not even know it until symptoms like foot pain bring you to the doctor.
It Could Be Arthritis
The joints in your feet and ankles can develop arthritis. When the cartilage that protects the joints begins to wear away, bone-on-bone can become very painful. Unmanaged foot and ankle arthritis can lead to deformity and disability. Pain and stiffness in the morning is usually a sign of arthritis.
You Could Have An Injury
Foot and ankle pain is a common sign of injury. Pain on the top side of the foot may be due to a fracture or bunion. Pain in the underside could be due to plantar fasciitis. Ankle pain could be due to a sprain or fracture. Regardless of the type of injury, it needs medical evaluation. Your feet and ankles already carry three times the force of your weight, and an improperly treated or poor healing injury could lead to complications and long-term damage.
You Could Have A Structural Issue
Check the underside of your feet. Are your arches too high? Or, do you have no arches at all? Both can increase your risk of having foot and ankle problems. A doctor can provide you custom-made orthotics, which can help absorb impact and even out the distribution of force on your feet. Custom-made orthotics can help relieve pain in the lower extremities, as well as the lower back.
Foot and Ankle Pain Treatment in Naples, FL
To keep your feet and ankles healthy, maintain function and mobility, and avoid complications, see a foot and ankle doctor for your symptoms. Our podiatrist at the Joint Replacement Institute, Dr. Jaime Weaver, provides expert podiatric care. Dr. Weaver can treat foot and ankle pain using conservative methods and cutting-edge surgeries. To make an appointment with Dr. Weaver, call (239) 261-2663 or use our online request form.
