In all walks of life, if you knew trouble was coming, you would take steps to avoid it or mitigate the fallout. The same idea applies to foot and ankle injuries. Many foot injuries have some subtle signs that an issue is bubbling beneath the surface, and if you’re aware of these symptoms, you may be able to intervene before injury strikes. With that in mind, we want to use today’s blog to explore some of the early warning signs of common foot and ankle injuries.
Early Warning Signs Of Common Foot Problems
We’re going to spotlight some of the symptoms that tend to foreshadow more serious foot injuries. Take a look at the injuries below and read about some of the symptoms you may experience prior to the injury so that you can take preventative measures:
Ankle Sprain – An ankle sprain may seem unpreventable, but that’s not always the case. If you have lingering ankle instability or you have lost confidence in your ankle’s ability to handle certain movements, you could be dealing with ligament damage in your ankle. If your ligaments can’t provide enough support to your ankle, a sprain or even a fracture may be imminent.
Ingrown Toenail – You may be able to stop an ingrown toenail from progressing if you catch it early enough. Your toenails don’t grow all that fast, so keeping an eye on your toenails can help you spot the early stages of an ingrown toenail. If you’re dealing with redness, tenderness or can visibly see that your nail is starting to grow into the fleshy part of your toe, an ingrown toenail may be brewing. Follow these tips to put and end to it.
Bunions – Similar to ingrown toenails, bunions are a slow-developing foot condition. A bunion typically forms on the side of the base of your big toe joint, and since they aren’t always symptomatic in an early stage, seeing the formation of a small bony prominence in this location can oftentimes tip you off to bunion onset. A visible bump, redness, tenderness or the realization that your shoes feel unnaturally tight can suggest a bunion is starting to form.
Achilles Tears/Tendonitis – Pushing through Achilles tendonitis can lead to worsening tendonitis or a rupture of the Achilles tendon. Symptoms of early stage Achilles tendonitis involves pain and swelling on the backside of your heel and lower calf. Rest and gradual return to athletic activity can help you overcome Achilles tendonitis.
Hammertoes – Hammertoes occur when the ligaments that help our toes lay flat become damaged or shortened as a result of injury. This soft tissue contraction can cause the toe to bend at the midjoint, giving it a bent appearance. You may be able to flex your toes to help them lay flat, but the longer this goes unaddressed, the more likely it is that this bend become permanent. Flexible hammertoes aren’t always painful, so it’s easier to use visual cues to spot the issue. A lightly bent toe joint is the most obvious sign of flexible hammertoes, and switching to a shoe with a roomier toe box can take pressure off your toes and limit the progression of hammertoes.
Shin Splints – A final condition that you can work to prevent by spotting the early warning signs is shin splints. Shin splints are caused by microtears in the bone or muscle tissue in the shinbone, oftentimes caused by repetitive stress and strain on the area. In the early stages, you’ll likely deal with mild pain, discomfort, tenderness and swelling in the shin area. Resting the area and easing back into physical activities can help keep shin splints at bay.
Prevention is preferred to treatment, so keep these tips in mind! And if you need help with a foot or ankle issue that develops, reach out to Dr. Silverman and the team at Silverman Ankle & Foot today at (952) 224-8500.
