After a long day of being on your feet or engaging in an intense sport, you could feel pain in your toes, arches, and ankle. Applying ice, resting, and taking it easy for a few days afterward should get your feet and ankles back to feeling normal. If symptoms do not improve after a few days or if symptoms get worse, it may be a good idea to see a podiatrist ( foot and ankle specialist). Foot pain is a signal that something is wrong. You could have injured the soft tissues in your feet and ankles.
Physical activity carries with it a risk of injury, however, it is essential to overall health. If you want to keep being physically active, make sure to treat your feet and ankles with care and get them examined by a podiatrist if symptoms are bothering you.
Signs You Need to See a Podiatrist
Part of proper foot and ankle care is to regularly check your feet for any changes in appearance or feeling. It is a good idea to see a foot and ankle specialist if you observe/experience any of the following:
- Pain or tenderness due to a nail growing into the skin or an ingrown toenail, which can become infected and lead to a serious bone infection.
- Corns and calluses usually develop due to ill-fitting footwear or improper walking motion, which can increase the risk of other foot conditions.
- A bony protrusion at the base of the big toe could be a bunion, which impairs foot function, affects balance, and increases the risk of falls.
- Pain in any part of the foot, especially if the foot is unable to bear weight, which could indicate a serious injury.
- Pain related to a sports injury or accident that persists despite self-care methods, which if improperly treated, can lead to chronic issues.
- A fever of over 101 degrees and swelling, which is a sign of an infection.
- A throbbing pain, stiffness, and warmth in the lower extremity, which could be arthritis.
- A visible deformity, which could be due to advanced osteoarthritis.
- A rolling of the ankle, which is a sign of instability and could lead to future injuries.
- A feeling of numbness or tingling in the lower extremity, which usually indicate peripheral neuropathy, a complication that usually results from diabetes.
- A cut, scrape, or wound especially if you are diabetic, which can lead to limb-loss.
A foot and ankle doctor specializes in the treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and lower extremity and can evaluate all the symptoms listed above. Trust the care of your feet and ankles, which are subjected to so much every single day, to an experienced specialist only. Your feet will thank you!
Podiatrists in San Antonio, Boerne, Floresville, Hondo, Kenedy, Live Oak, and Uvalde, TX
The Podiatry Group of South Texas is one of the largest podiatry practices in south Texas, with 14 locations for your convenience. Our highly skilled and experienced foot and ankle specialists can treat all types of foot, ankle, and lower limb conditions. We will take good care of your feet and address any concerns you may have about foot and ankle health.
For top-notch podiatry care, choose our foot and ankle doctors for your care. Make an appointment now. Call our location nearest you or use our convenient appointment request form.
