Chances are, at some point, you’ll deal with foot and ankle pain. Loved ones too may be suffering from pain in the ankle and foot. While such pains are often common among older folks, foot and ankle issues can occur at any age. If you need to treat foot and ankle pain and you live near Oviedo, Lake Mary, and Orlando, FL, get in touch with Foot & Ankle Specialists of Orlando. Dr. Timothy Mason, Dr. Jason Hancock, and Dr. Travis Johnson can help.
Wondering how a foot and ankle doctor can treat and manage pain? Let’s take a look. That said, the treatments below are far from exhaustive. If you’re in pain, it’s smart to talk with a podiatrist.
Using Custom Orthotics to Treat Foot and Ankle Pain
One of the most effective and common tools used by a foot and ankle doctor to treat pain is custom orthotics. You may have seen inserts at the shoe store. While these over-the-counter inserts can help in some situations, custom orthotics are much different.
First, custom orthotics are designed specifically for your foot and condition. This means they fit better and will typically provide much more support. Custom orthotics can relieve pressure not just on your feet, but also on your ankle and knees. This, in turn, may relieve pressure on your hips, back, and more.
Custom orthotics are used to treat and prevent a range of conditions. If you have misshapen feet or bunions are starting to form, custom orthotics can not only relieve pain now but stop your condition from getting worse.
Oral and Topical Prescription Treatments
You may be suffering a fungal infection, like say athlete’s foot or diabetic foot ulcers. Fungi are extremely hardy microbes and once they’ve infected part of your body, they can be difficult to treat. Fortunately, anti-fungal medications can help. While you may be able to purchase some anti-fungal medicines over the counter, the strongest and most effective antifungal medicines often require a prescription.
Ulcers are another serious but common condition. Essentially, an ulcer is an open wound that does not heal on its own. Foot ulcers are especially common among people with poor circulation in their legs and feet. Diabetics, in particular, are prone to poor circulation and thus foot ulcers.
Simple injuries, such as a cut on your foot, may also not be healing. In this case, antimicrobial medications can help. If an infection is causing foot and ankle pain, stop by the Foot & Ankle Specialists of Orlando to chat with Dr. Mason, Dr. Hancock, or Dr. Johnson.
Surgery
Surgery is an invasive but often necessary condition. Surgery can be used to reshape the feet, addressing bunions and other issues. If you live near Oviedo, Lake Mary, and Orlando, FL, and want to discuss surgery options, dial (407) 365-9511 to reach the Foot & Ankle Specialists of Orlando to speak with Dr. Mason, Dr. Hancock, or Dr. Johnson.