Posts for category: Foot Condition

- Pain that occurs immediately after an injury or accident
- Pain that is directly above a bone
- Pain that is worse with movement
- Bruising and severe swelling
- A cracking sound at the moment of injury
- A visible deformity or bump
- Can’t put weight on the injured foot
The symptoms of a sprain are far less severe. You can often put weight on the injured foot with a sprain; however, you may notice some slight pain and stiffness. You may also have heard a popping sound at the moment of the injury with a sprain, while a broken bone often produces a cracking sound. The pain associated with a sprain will also be above soft tissue rather than bone. A podiatrist will perform an X-ray to be able to determine if you are dealing with a break or a sprain.
Rest is key to allowing an injury, particularly a fracture, to heal properly. Along with rest, your doctor may also recommend either an over-the-counter or prescription-strength pain reliever, depending on the severity of your fracture. Those with more moderate to severe fractures may require a special boot, brace, or splint. Those with more severe fractures may need to wear a cast and use crutches, so they can avoid putting any weight on the foot.

- You experience pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the joints of the foot, particularly the toes
- You experience aching feet, particularly after activity or long periods of standing
- Some parts of your foot may feel oddly warm to the touch or may emanate heat while the rest of the foot feels normal
- The joints of the toes and ankles may swell
What does RA do to the feet and ankles?
Along with painful joints and stiffness, you may also notice other changes to your feet over time. Some of these changes include,
- Bunions
- Corns
- Hammertoes and claw toes
- Bursitis
- Circulation issues (e.g. atherosclerosis; Raynaud’s phenomena)
Since RA is not curable, your podiatrist will focus on crafting a treatment plan that will help to alleviate your symptoms and slow the progression of the disease to prevent severe and irreparable joint damage. Prescription medications known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are biologics that can reduce inflammation and prevent the progression of the disease.
Of course, there are also lifestyle changes you can make along with taking prescription medication that can also ease symptoms,
- Warm soaks
- Custom insoles or orthotics
- Pain relievers
- Compression
- Stretching exercises for the feet
- Bracing
- Steroid injections (for targeting severe inflammation)
Most people with RA will eventually develop foot and ankle problems, which is why it’s important to have a podiatrist on your team that can help you manage your RA effectively.
How your podiatrists in Bellefontaine and Springfield, OH, can help with foot and ankle pain
If you are struggling with foot and ankle pain, you already know how it can impact your life. It can make it hard to get through your daily activities. Foot and ankle pain can even make it difficult to stand and walk around. It can impact your ability to work, and it can keep you from enjoying your life.
The good news is, your podiatrist can help you feel better. The podiatrists at Complete Foot & Ankle Specialists, Drs. Eric Anderson, Richard Jennings, and Melitta Simmons offer a wide range of foot and ankle medical care services, so you can get back to enjoying your day. They have two convenient office locations in Bellefontaine, and Springfield, OH, to help you.
There are many reasons why you have foot and ankle pain. The pain could be due to an injury from sports, an accident, or a sudden fall. Foot and ankle pain can range from mild to severe, intermittent to chronic, and everything in between.
You can try some easy home remedies to deal with mild foot and ankle pain. Consider:
- Placing ice on the affected area to reduce swelling
- Elevating your feet and ankles to give them a rest
- Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medications
If your foot and ankle pain is moderate to severe and doesn’t get better with simple remedies, it’s time to visit your foot and ankle pain specialist in Bellefontaine. Your podiatrist will do a thorough examination of your feet and ankles and may recommend x-rays and other imaging studies to help diagnose what is causing your foot and ankle pain. Depending on what is causing your pain, your podiatrist may recommend:
- A walking cast, crutches, or other devices to immobilize or help take the stress off of your feet and ankles
- Prescription-strength pain and anti-inflammatory medication
- Physical therapy and stretching to restore flexibility and range-of-motion
- Custom footwear and orthotics to reduce stress and maintain proper foot and ankle alignment
- Surgery for severe cases caused by torn ligaments or broken bones
Foot and ankle pain can make you miserable, but relief is just a phone call away. To find out more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of foot and ankle pain, talk with Drs. Eric Anderson, Richard Jennings, and Melitta Simmons. Call the podiatrists at Complete Foot & Ankle Specialists. You can reach them in Bellefontaine, OH, at (937) 599-3668, or in Springfield, OH, at (937) 322-3346, so call today!

- Pain at the ball of the foot near the big toe
- Pain when bending or straightening the big toe
- Swelling
- Pain that comes up gradually
How is sesamoiditis treated?
The good news is that this inflammatory condition can be treated with rest and home care designed to ease the inflamed tendon or muscle. At-home care for sesamoiditis looks like:
- Avoiding any activities that put pressure on the foot
- Taking a pain reliever such as ibuprofen to reduce pain and swelling
- Wearing supportive shoes with ample cushioning
- Applying ice to the foot for 10-15 minutes every few hours
- Avoiding shoes with pointed toes or high heels
If you are experiencing severe or persistent foot pain, you must seek podiatry care from a qualified foot and ankle specialist. Foot pain should not go ignored. Call your podiatrist today.

Wear Appropriate Footwear
Consider Shoe Inserts
Apply Protective Padding
Practice Pain Management
Do I need surgery for a hammertoe?
If you are dealing with hammertoes or other foot problems, you must have a podiatrist that you can turn to for regular and immediate care.