Comprehensive care plans for foot and ankle health begin with a thorough assessment of your condition, risks, and goals. Whether you seek foot pain treatment or ongoing management for diabetic foot ulcers, your plan is tailored to your needs. You can visit a foot and ankle institute for professional consultation and diagnosis. Here are a few elements of comprehensive care plans:
Accurate Diagnosis
During the initial consultation, your foot and ankle doctor performs a thorough assessment of your needs. This clinical assessment involves a detailed examination of your foot and ankle to identify issues, such as blisters, corns, calluses, and ulcers. The doctor also checks your nail health and temperature variations to determine if there is a possible infection. A physical examination may be done to assess your range of motion, gait, joint stability, and muscle strength.
After a physical examination, the foot and ankle doctor may recommend imaging scans, such as ultrasound or X-rays, to help visualize soft tissues and joints. These scans help identify issues, such as plantar fasciitis, arthritis, tendonitis, deformities, or neuropathy. An accurate diagnosis enables your doctor to determine the most suitable foot pain treatment for your needs. Diagnosis may also involve a review of your medical and family history, past conditions, medications, and risk factors for diabetes and arthritis.
Personalized Treatment
Foot and ankle doctors provide personalized care plans tailored to each individual’s assessment and identified goals. Comprehensive care requires identifying specific goals based on your desired outcome. You may seek professional assessment as a preventative measure or to address or manage foot and ankle conditions. Goals include relieving pain, improving mobility and range of motion, and preventing further injury. If you’re an athlete, the goal may be to return to sports. For elderly patients, the priority may be fall prevention.
Non-Surgical Interventions
The first line of treatment for foot and ankle issues often involves non-surgical interventions, such as orthotics and bracing, to provide support and alignment. Physical therapy is used to increase strength, flexibility, and correct gait issues. The doctor may prescribe pain medication or corticosteroid injections to relieve discomfort and inflammation. Other non-surgical treatments include special insoles for your footwear and routine wound care for diabetic foot ulcers.
Foot and ankle doctors also provide advanced interventional therapies that use light, radio waves, and electricity. These minimally invasive therapies help relieve discomfort and inflammation by soothing or blocking nerve fibers that transmit pain signals to the brain. They include transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation for nerve pain, radio frequency ablation for chronic heel pain and plantar fasciitis, and shockwave therapy for Achilles tendonitis.
Surgical Treatments
If non-surgical treatments and advanced interventional therapies fail, your doctor may recommend surgery. Operations are also needed for structural corrections. Foot and ankle conditions that require surgery include fractures, tendon tears, bunions, and deformities. Surgery requires comprehensive preparations and post-operation planning to promote full recovery and rehabilitation.
Doctors provide patient education and rehabilitation plans, including self-care instructions, to help you heal without complications. They can plan progressive exercises to help you regain muscle strength, joint stability, and range of motion. Routine appointments also track your progress and allow your doctor to adjust care as needed. Comprehensive care may involve long-term or lifetime monitoring, especially when dealing with chronic conditions and surgical operations.
Seek Professional Foot Pain Treatment Today
Foot and ankle pain can make it impossible to perform normal activities, such as standing or walking. Early diagnosis allows your doctor to take proactive measures that prevent further injury. Doctors also offer a wide range of treatments, including medication, non-surgical interventions, and advanced operations. Contact a foot and ankle clinic today to find out more about foot pain treatment and management.
