Five Foot Problems You Should Never Ignore:

Feet are the Rodney Dangerfield of body parts; they don’t get no respect. People often resist going to the doctor when they’re sick or in pain. But most foot conditions are easier to treat, when diagnosed early.
Dr. Harton, who is a foot and ankle surgeon in Calgary, wants you to know about five foot problems you should not ignore:

• Heel pain is often caused by tissue inflammation, but can also result from a broken bone, a tight Achilles tendon, a pinched nerve, or other problem. A qualified physician will know how to diagnose and treat the true cause of heel pain.

• Ankle sprains always require a prompt visit to the doctor. Those who skip out on medical care are more likely to suffer repeated ankle sprains and then develop chronic ankle instability.

• Big toe stiffness and pain develops slowly over time, as cartilage in the big toe joint wears down. This eventually leads to arthritis. The sooner you have this diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.

• Achilles tendonitis usually develops from a sudden increase in physical activity, such as when playing weekend sports. Achilles tendon rupture can be reduced by treatment of the symptoms of Achilles tendonitis: pain and tenderness on the back of the foot or heel.

• Ingrown toenails can pierce the skin, open the door for bacteria to enter the body, and convince some people to perform dangerous “bathroom surgery.” Few know that a foot doctor can perform a quick procedure that will end the pain and cure an ingrown toenail.