A couple months ago, we added a contact box at the bottom of our blog pieces that allows readers to send a question or comment directly to Dr. Silverman. He reads these messages and tries to get back to every person as quick as possible, and it’s been a great way to provide some answers for readers who are dealing with a foot condition. By far, the most common question we receive is, “What should I do about my foot pain?”
Since we can’t see the injury in person or view imaging results, we try to provide the patient with some basic guidance, but our most popular answer is that they should consider getting an evaluation from an orthopedic surgeon. Every case is different, but if people are presenting certain symptoms or problems, then an orthopedic consultation is often the best course of action. Below, we share some symptoms or issues that suggest that your best bet is to “Look for the O” and schedule an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.
When To Visit A Specialist For Your Foot Injury
If you’re dealing with any of these issues, consider visiting an orthopedic specialist.
1. Pain Worsens – Rest is supposed to help a foot heal, and most people experience a decrease in symptoms after a couple days or a week. However, if pain goes in the opposite direction and gets worse, there’s a decent chance that there’s an underlying issue that needs more hands-on intervention. The best way to get an accurate diagnosis and a comprehensive treatment plan is with the help of an orthopedic surgeon.
2. Signs of an Infection – If the injury site is warm or hot, or you see other signs of an infection, like drainage or discolored discharge, head in to an orthopedic surgeon’s office. These conditions need to be managed with specific antibiotics, and your orthopedic specialist can help set you up with the right medication plan.
3. Pain Doesn’t Resolve – Similar to the first point, if pain doesn’t get better, consider heading into a specialist’s office. Your injury may not resolve in a week or even a month, but we have patients reach out to us who say that their pain has lingered for more than six months. If your pain lingers for more than a couple months, odds are there’s an unresolved issue going on in your foot that should be addressed.
4. Not Responding To Treatment – Whether your treatment guidelines are something you’ve found online or something prescribed by your primary care doctor, if your foot or ankle problem is not responding to treatment, consider visiting an orthopedic surgeon. They have a number of diagnostic tools in their arsenal and can catch problems that may have been overlooked. This will ensure you are treating the underlying problem and not the symptoms of the condition.
5. Poor Results After Surgery – If you didn’t achieve the results you had hoped after surgery, or if you are having a problem with the hardware that was installed, set up a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon like Dr. Silverman. We’ve done many corrective procedures to adjust surgeries that didn’t go perfectly, and we can help you achieve the results you sought with your initial operation.
