Foot pain treatments aim to alleviate discomfort and address the underlying cause. You can visit a foot and ankle institute for a comprehensive diagnosis to determine the cause of the pain. Issues range from bunions, corns, and calluses to fungal nails, ingrown nails, and hammertoes. Here are a few modern foot pain treatment technologies:
Custom Orthotics
Foot and ankle doctors often provide custom ankle-foot orthotics, which are devices designed to control the position and motion of your ankle. This solution helps compensate for weaknesses or correct deformities and issues, such as flat feet, heel spurs, and poor gait patterns. Instead of standard insoles, a foot and ankle institute takes digital scans of your foot to make custom-designed orthotics. The orthotics offer arch support and distribute pressure across your foot. They also correct biomechanical issues, resulting in pain relief. Foot and pain doctors can use 3D printing to produce custom orthotics within a matter of hours.
Shockwave Therapy
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive pain-relief treatment used to address chronic heel pain caused by damaged plantar fascia tissue. The therapy enhances blood flow and stimulates natural tissue repair without the need for surgery. ESWT uses acoustic pressure waves to stimulate healing in injured tissues. Doctors commonly use it for plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis.
ESWT may be combined with gastrocnemius recession, physical therapy, and home remedies. Gastrocnemius recession improves your range of motion if stretching exercises don’t provide relief. The procedure relieves stress on the plantar fasciitis by lengthening the calf’s gastrocnemius muscle. Shockwave therapy is often prescribed before surgery to reduce the chances of complications and address issues without advanced operations.
Imaging Technology
Advancing imaging technology allows foot doctors to detect bacteria in wounds. Portable devices emit a violet light that interacts with the injured tissue and potential bacteria. Collagen makes the wound and surrounding skin turn green, while bacteria appear as a red fluorescence. This aids in clinical assessment, enabling doctors to determine the length, breadth, and severity of a wound. The real-time images show doctors and surgeons what to target, resulting in precise procedures and injections. Regular images help doctors determine the wound’s rate of healing and whether alternative treatment methods are required.
Electrical Stimulation
Foot and ankle doctors may use transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to treat chronic pain, nerve-related discomfort, and arthritis. The procedure involves placing electrodes on the skin and applying a low-voltage, low-frequency electrical current. Electrical nerve stimulation helps relieve pain and soothe nerves by blocking pain signals from being transmitted to the brain. The technique also promotes the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain-relieving hormones. The treatment is typically applied for approximately 30 minutes a day for a month, allowing patients to achieve long-term results.
Cortisone Injections
Cortisone injections are a type of steroid injection that delivers medication directly into the foot to reduce pain and inflammation. The treatment is commonly used for conditions such as:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Arthritis
- Tendonitis
- Neuromas
- Bursitis
For some patients, cortisone injections offer fast-acting relief, but it may take a few days for others to notice the effects. Despite consistent relief, frequent injections can damage cartilage, weaken tendons, and tear ligaments. Experienced physicians approach this treatment with caution to minimize side effects and prevent further injury. The treatment is usually reserved for conditions that do not respond to physical therapy or orthotics.
Consult a Foot and Ankle Institute
Foot and ankle doctors offer a range of additional treatments, including night splints, patient education for at-home care, and restorative surgeries. The treatment selected depends on your condition and preferences. Contact a foot and ankle institute today to learn more about their treatments and services.
