Our Vancouver Podiatrists Treat Common Causes of Foot or Ankle Pain
Foot and ankle discomfort can strike without warning, and ignoring the signs can lead to future complications. At Clover Podiatry, Dr. Tek Fish, Dr. Douglas B. Rutan, Dr. Jeffery Linscheid, and our skilled medical team provide quality foot and ankle care for patients of all ages in Vancouver. We can help identify the root cause of your discomfort and work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan, ensuring you can regain mobility and enjoy your daily activities. When you trust your foot and ankle care to Clover Podiatry, you can live pain-free.
Common Causes of Foot and Ankle Pain
You might feel a dull constant ache or a sharp shooting pain in your foot or ankle, along with swelling, redness, and stiffness. But why? While some foot and ankle issues are caused by genetics or underlying medical conditions such as osteoarthritis or diabetes, other causes of discomfort include:
- Poorly fitting shoes. Shoes that are too tight, have high heels, narrow toe boxes, or are inappropriate for the activity you’re doing often lead to chronic foot and ankle pain.
- Engaging in high-impact activities. Any sport or exercise that involves a firm footfall or repetitive jumping has the potential to cause minor injury and pain. These activities include running, basketball, aerobics, and dancing, among others.
- Overtraining. Rapidly increasing the frequency, duration, or intensity of your physical activity puts excessive stress on your feet and ankles. It’s important to give yourself time to rest.
- Physically demanding occupations. Jobs that require repetitive movements, prolonged standing, or extended periods of walking contribute to foot and ankle pain, especially if you don’t have the right footwear that provides lasting comfort.
- Excess weight. Studies indicate that additional weight alters your gait and contributes to the development of various foot and ankle problems. Since your feet absorb the shock of walking and running, every pound you carry over a healthy guideline is an extra three pounds of force.
Foot and Ankle Conditions We Treat at Our Vancouver Podiatry Office
At Clover Podiatry, we understand how difficult it is to live with debilitating pain that prevents you from enjoying your favorite activities or that compromises everyday mobility. At our Vancouver office, we treat various foot and ankle conditions, such as:
- Plantar fasciitis. The plantar fascia is a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, connecting the heel to the toes. Plantar fasciitis, which is inflammation of this tissue, often causes heel pain, especially in the morning or after prolonged periods of rest.
- Achilles tendinitis. The Achilles tendon is not only the strongest but also the largest tendon in the human body. It connects calf muscles to the heel bone and provides flexion for essential movement. When it’s inflamed, torn, or ruptured, you’ll feel pain and stiffness in the back of your ankle, especially during or after physical activity.
- Bunions. A bunion, or hallux valgus, is a bony bump that develops on the base of the metatarsophalangeal joint, or the big toe joint. This forces the bottom of the joint to push out to the side and the toe to lean inward towards the other toes. It often hurts because much of your weight rests on this area with every step. It’s also a challenge to wear certain types of footwear without experiencing discomfort.
- Hammer toes. This condition involves an abnormal bending or contracture of one or more toes, typically the second, third, or fourth toes. Hammer toes cause corns and calluses, too, and pain while walking, especially in shoes with narrow toe boxes.
- Ankle sprains. These injuries, often caused by rolling or twisting your ankle, affect the four main ligaments that support the ankle joint. Pain ranges from mild to severe, and your ankle may require immobilization and physical therapy to heal properly.
- Heel spurs. These are bony protrusions that develop on the heel bone due to repetitive stress or plantar fasciitis. While the actual heel spurs might not feel painful, they can lead to inflammation and discomfort in the surrounding tissues.
- Ingrown toenails. This condition occurs when the edges of a toenail grow into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness, and sometimes infection. It frequently happens on big toes.
- Neuromas. Morton's neuroma is a benign growth or thickening of nerve tissue between your third and fourth toes. You might feel burning, tingling, or numbness in the affected area.
Your foot and ankle pain will be diagnosed based on the results of a physical exam and your description of your symptoms. In some cases, diagnostic tests such as ultrasound may also be needed.
Treatment Options Available at Clover Podiatry in Vancouver
If you’re ready to find a solution to your ankle and foot pain, we offer various innovative treatments, both non-surgical and surgical, to put you on a path to wellness. They include:
- Custom orthotics. These are specially-made devices worn inside the shoe to correct biomechanical foot issues and reduce pain.
- Physical therapy. Another lifestyle change includes certain exercises to strengthen the foot and ankle, improve range of motion, and minimize pain.
- Medication. If necessary, we may prescribe a series of anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers to help manage symptoms.
- Shockwave Therapy. Some conditions, such as tendonitis and neuromas, respond well to this non-invasive technology that uses acoustic waves to promote your body’s natural healing process.
- Surgery. When conservative treatments fail, our skilled surgical team will detail how different procedures may be needed to correct underlying deformities and relieve pain once and for all.
Remember: it’s not normal to feel pain, so don’t leave the health of your feet to chance. Clover Podiatry is ready to help you step comfortably and confidently back into your life with the highest standing of quality care and compassionate attention.