Common Foot and Ankle Problems
There are many common foot problems that patients deal with every day ranging from injuries, to arthritis, to diabetic foot care issues. The foot and ankle are very versatile and complex areas of your body. Each foot contains 26 bones supported by a complicated network of muscles, tendons and ligaments. When everything’s working well, we hardly give it thought. But when a problem arises, it’s often impossible to ignore.
At DeKalb Medical we treat a wide variety of common foot problems and common ankle problems, including:
- Fractures and sprains
- Achilles tendinitis
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
- Plantar warts
- Flat feet
- Corns and calluses
- Bone spurs
- Neuroma
- Athlete’s foot
- Bunions
- Hammertoes
- Ingrown toenails
- Toenail fungus
- Diabetic foot care
Fortunately, most common foot problems and ankle conditions respond well to treatments like rest, ice, orthotics (shoe inserts), exercises, and anti-inflammatory medication. Cortisone injections can also provide pain relief. If these conservative treatments fail to provide adequate relief, surgery may be an option.
The physicians at DeKalb Medical are experienced in the latest techniques, including diabetic foot care, and will be happy to work with you to get you back on your feet. If you have a foot or ankle problem, click here to find a DeKalb Medical podiatrist or orthopedic specialist.
Diabetic Foot Care
Addressing diabetic foot care is a special issue for people with diabetes. Many people with diabetes lose feeling in their feet, which puts them at risk for injuring their feet without realizing it. Here are some foot care tips to help people with diabetes avoid common foot problems:
- Wash and dry your feet daily with mild soap and warm water. Dry your feet thoroughly, especially between the toes, to prevent fungal infections.
- Trim toenails weekly. If you cannot trim your nails easily, call your doctor for a referral to someone you can see for this diabetic foot care service.
- Check the tops and bottoms of your feet daily, using a mirror if you need it. Look for:
- Cuts and scratches, and treat them immediately.
- Dry skin that requires moisturizers to keep skin soft and prevent cracks in skin. Do not put moisturizer between toes.
- Blisters that need treatment immediately. Do not break a blister; just clean it, and apply antibacterial cream and bandage.
- Infections such as athlete’s foot or fungal nail infection. Check with your doctor for treatments for these conditions.
Diabetic foot care is very important. Changes in the color of your foot, warmth or swelling are signs of infection or other serious conditions. If you have any of these common foot problems check with your orthopedic specialist or podiatrist immediately. You may also contact the DeKalb Medical Center for Diabetes Management at 404.501.1790.
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