Overview of Foot and Ankle Problems

Relief from Ankle Problems in Millsboro and Seaford, DE

Chronic or severe foot or ankle pain can make it hard to work, exercise, enjoy your hobbies, or spend time with family and friends. Southern Delaware Foot & Ankle has a team of board-certified podiatrists who treat adults and children. We offer comprehensive care for foot and ankle problems in Millsboro and Seaford, DE. We can diagnose the underlying cause of your pain and design a personalized treatment plan that relieves symptoms and improves your mobility and overall health and quality of life. Call us now to schedule an initial consultation and exam.

Signs You Need Foot or Ankle Pain Treatment

It can be tempting to just ignore your symptoms and hope they get better on their own. However, chronic pain is a sign of an underlying injury or condition that may require quick intervention. By delaying treatment, you may increase the risk of complications. If you notice any of these symptoms or if you have pain that is preventing you from living your normal life, call us now to make an appointment:

Severe, persistent, or worsening pain that doesn’t improve with rest, ice, or over-the-counter medication
Pain that keeps you from your normal daily routine, or that keeps you up at night
Trouble walking, rotating your ankle, or putting weight on your injured foot
Changes in the appearance of your foot or ankle, such as skin discoloration, swelling, bruising, redness, sores, warts, or bunions
Signs of infection, such as itchy or damaged skin that is warm to the touch, red, or burning, especially when combined with a fever, nausea, or vomiting
Signs of nerve damage or neuropathy, such as muscle weakness, numbness or tingling, or a pins and needles feeling
Chronic or recurring problems like stiffness, swelling, loss of range of motion, or pain

Understanding Common Foot and Ankle Injury Causes

Anyone can develop a foot or ankle injury or a chronic or serious condition that affects the ankle, foot, or toes. Some of the most common causes are:

Sudden traumatic events like a fall, impact, car accident, or sports injury
Overuse and repetitive stress
High-intensity exercise
Prolonged periods standing or walking
Improper footwear that lacks support or doesn’t fit correctly
Age-related and structural issues like arthritis and flat feet
Poor posture or spinal imbalances
Uncontrolled diabetes or other health conditions
Obesity or a sedentary lifestyle

Diagnosing the Cause of Your Foot or Ankle Injury

When you schedule an initial visit, we will do a full examination of your foot and ankle. We will ask you about your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history. We may also take an x-ray, MRI, or CT scan to confirm or rule out certain injuries and conditions. Some of the most common conditions that we treat include:

Ankle sprains and strains
Fractures and breaks
Age-related conditions
Achilles tendinitis
Plantar fasciitis
Bunions
Arthritis
Structural deformities
Nerve issues
Skin and toenail injuries
Infections
Neoplastic disorders
Systemic conditions like diabetic foot infections
Pediatric and congenital conditions

Exploring Foot and Ankle Pain Treatment Options

We aim to provide conservative, non-invasive treatment options first. For serious or severe conditions, or when non-surgical treatments are not effective, we may recommend foot or ankle surgery. Some of the most common surgical and non-surgical treatment options we offer include:

Lifestyle modifications and workplace adjustments
Therapeutic exercises and stretches
Physical therapy and injury rehabilitation
Supportive devices like custom orthotics, shoe inserts, splints, and specialized footwear
Corticosteroid injections for pain management
Antibiotics
Arthroscopy
Lapiplasty (bunion correction)
Swift low-dose microwave therapy
Reconstructive surgery
Ligament reconstruction
Ankle fusion
Tendon repair

Why Choose Southern Delaware Foot & Ankle

Southern Delaware Foot & Ankle has been providing compassionate, quality care to patients of all ages since 2000. We have a team of board-certified podiatrists and skilled, experienced medical professionals and foot specialists who are committed to offering holistic solutions for foot and ankle pain. We offer same-day and urgent appointments and have specialized expertise in minimally invasive treatment as well as surgical and reconstructive procedures. In addition to treatment, we also prioritize patient education and preventive care, which can restore quality of life and reduce the risk of future symptoms or complications.

Call Now to Get Expert Ankle Pain Relief

Don’t suffer through foot or ankle pain for another day. Our team can help you find lasting relief by diagnosing and addressing the underlying cause of your symptoms. If you have chronic or recurring pain, pain that worsens over time or with movement, or other worrying symptoms, time is of the essence. Call us now or contact us online to make an appointment with our foot and ankle specialists in Millsboro and Seaford, DE.

Answers to FAQs About Ankle Pain

What are the most common ankle sprain causes?

Overuse, stress, trauma and impact, falls or trips, sports and work injuries, and walking on uneven or dangerous terrain.

How long is ankle sprain recovery?

Your recovery period depends on the severity of the injury, your age and overall health, and how carefully you follow our treatment protocol. It could take between one week and several months to fully heal.

What do you recommend for ankle swelling treatment?

For mild injuries, we recommend elevating your foot at least 12 inches above the floor. You can also wrap the ankle or wear compression socks and use moist heat to reduce swelling. At least once per hour, get up and move around for a brief period to improve circulation.

How do I know if I need professional treatment for ankle pain?

You should make an appointment if you have recurring, chronic, or worsening pain or other symptoms that affect your daily life. You should also visit us if you have been diagnosed with a foot or ankle condition or if you notice changes in the appearance or health of your foot or ankle, like deformity, numbness, tingling, redness, swelling, or other symptoms.

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Leading foot problems are:

Bunions

misaligned big toe joints that swell and become tender, causing the first joint of the big toe to slant outward and the second joint to angle toward the other toes. Bunions tend to be hereditary, but can be aggravated by shoes that are too narrow in the forefoot and toe. Surgery is frequently performed to correct the problem.

Hammertoes

usually stemming from muscle imbalance, this condition occurs when the toe is bent into a claw-like position. Hammertoe can affect any toe, but most frequently occurs to the second toe, when a bunion slants the big toe toward and under it. Selecting shoes and socks that do not cramp the toes may help alleviate any aggravation of pain or discomfort.

Heel Spurs

growths of bone on the underside, forepart of the heel bone. Heel spurs occur when the plantar tendon pulls at its attachment to the heel bone. This area of the heel later calcifies to form a spur. Proper warm-up and the use of appropriate athletic shoes can reduce the strain to the ligament and prevent the formation of heel spurs.

Ingrown Toenails

toenails with corners or sides that dig painfully into the skin. Ingrown toenails are usually caused by improper nail trimming, but can also result from shoe pressure, injury, fungus infection, heredity, and poor foot structure. Women are more likely to have ingrown toenails than men. The problem can be prevented by trimming toenails straight across, selecting proper shoe styles and sizes, and responding to foot pain in a timely manner.

Neuromas

enlarged benign growths of nerves, most commonly between the third and fourth toes. Neuromas are caused by tissue rubbing against and irritating the nerves. Pressure from ill-fitting shoes or abnormal bone structure can also lead to this condition. Depending on the severity, treatments may include orthotics (shoe inserts), cortisone injections, and, in extreme cases, surgical removal of the growth.

Plantar Fasciitis

an inflammation on the bottom of the foot that leads to heel and/or arch pain. A variety of foot injuries or improper foot mechanics can lead to plantar fasciitis. Treatments range from icing and foot exercises to the prescription of custom orthotics to correct the foot position and help alleviate pain.

Sesamoiditis

an inflammation or rupture of the two small bones (known as sesamoids) under the first metatarsal bone. Proper shoe selection and orthotics can help.

Stress Fractures

incomplete cracks in bone caused by overuse. With complete rest, stress fractures in toes or any bones of the foot heal quickly. Extra padding in shoes can help prevent the condition. Left untreated, stress fractures may become complete bone fractures, which require casting and immobilization.

Shin Splints

pain on either side of the leg bone caused by muscle or tendon inflammation. Shin splints are related to excessive foot pronation, but also may be related to a muscle imbalance between opposing muscle groups in the leg. Proper stretching before and after exercise and corrective orthotics for pronation can help prevent shin splints.