Foot and Ankle Pain
Your feet and ankles are some of the hardest working parts of your body. Made up of various bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, these complex structures are what make standing, walking, running, jumping, and pivoting possible. Unfortunately, the fact that they do so much can put your feet and ankles at risk for wide-ranging injuries and podiatric problems.
Is foot or ankle pain keeping you up at night, making work or completing daily tasks difficult, or preventing you from participating in your favorite activities?
The agony you're experiencing doesn't have to be your new normal. At Optimum Podiatry, our knowledgeable and highly skilled podiatrist, Dr. Alvin Cowans, can get to the bottom of what's causing your pain and develop a treatment plan that's right for you, so you can get back to the life you love.
Comprehensive Care For Foot and Ankle Pain
Foot and ankle pain can have any number of causes. Fortunately, Dr. Cowans' in-depth knowledge of podiatric anatomy, pathology, and conditions makes him adept at identifying both the source of a patient's discomfort, and the best solutions for getting rid of pain and returning to activity safely.
Optimum Podiatry provides comprehensive podiatric care for patients of all ages. From growing feet to aging feet, we're here when your family needs us, offering an array of interventions to relieve pain related to:
- Injuries
- Hammertoes
- Bunions
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Neuromas
- Gout
- Foot Deformities
- Arthritis
- Foot Drop
- Orthotics Issues
Conservative to Advanced Treatment Options For Painful Feet and Ankles
When you're in pain, you need care that gets results—and that's just what you'll find at Optimum Podiatry. We're dedicated to providing patients with the most effective treatment options possible—and use everything from tried and true, old school methods to the latest advancements and interventions to help you get back on your feet. Here's a brief overview of some of the treatments we use to relieve foot or ankle pain.
R.I.C.E.
An acronym for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation, the R.I.C.E. method is a common first line of defense for painful foot and ankle problems, particularly those caused by overuse or sports injuries. For minor injuries, a little R.I.C.E. may be all that you need to bounce back.
Medication
Depending on the underlying cause of foot or ankle pain, over-the-counter or prescription medications may be recommended or prescribed to reduce pain and swelling. For patients suffering from gout, certain prescription drugs may be used to decrease the uric acid in the blood that's responsible for causing painful crystals to form in the joints of the feet and ankles.
Footwear and Lifestyle Changes
Wearing shoes that are worn out, fit poorly, or lack sufficient cushioning and support can make you more likely to experience painful foot or ankle problems. Forgetting to warm up before working out, or increasing the intensity or duration of your workouts too quickly, can also lead to pain in the feet or ankles.
Padding or Taping
These traditional, yet effective, methods relieve pain and offload pressure and tension from the various parts of the feet and ankle while you heal. As with R.I.C.E., padding and taping may be used in combination with other types of treatment.
Custom Orthotics
Made specifically for your feet, custom orthotics are leagues ahead of the one size fits all (or one size fits most) inserts found in stores. Instead, these devices provide personalized support and cushioning exactly where your feet and ankles need it. Custom orthotics can help to correct many painful podiatric issues.
Surgical Procedures
A talented podiatric surgeon, Dr. Cowans performs minimally invasive surgical procedures for hammertoes, bunions, and Achilles tendon ruptures, as well as traditional surgeries for a variety of other conditions.
You Can't Beat the Benefits of a Personalized Treatment Plan
Our patients are more than just numbers; they're members of the Optimum Podiatry family. You deserve a treatment plan that's as unique as you are—and developed with your specific concerns and goals in mind. Ready to find out how we can help you?
Schedule an Appointment
Take the first step toward pain-free feet and ankles. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Cowans.