Chronic Pain in the Foot, Ankle and Leg
Chronic foot pain is defined as pain persisting for longer than 12 weeks continuously. In a more general sense, the feeling remains present for longer than would be expected following a given injury or illness. Approximately 100 million Americans suffer from chronic foot pain, making this a significant health problem in the US.
Chronic Foot Pain Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Symptoms may be described as aching, throbbing, stabbing, sharpness, tightness, burning, cold, cramping, stiffness, crawling, restlessness, heaviness, tingling, numbness or electrical pain in the lower leg, foot or ankle. This pain effects sleep and normal day-to-day activity and may result in depression if left untreated.
Chronic Pain Treatments of the Past
Millions of patients with chronic pain become addicted to opiates, which has been the treatment of choice for chronic pain for over 30 years. However, the problem is opiate use has now become an epidemic, with the overdose rate rising year after year. Fortunately, the podiatrists at Certified Foot and Ankle Specialists are often able to take patients off their medications through the use of advanced techniques aimed at treating the underlying cause of pain and not just the symptoms. This is extremely beneficial to the patient and is rewarding for our physicians. We are often able to give patients their lives back.
Treating the Underlying Cause of Chronic Foot, Ankle or Leg Pain
Many chronic pain patients experience their pain in the feet, ankles and/or legs. While there are multiple underlying causes of chronic pain in the lower extremities some common conditions include:
• Bone Disease
• Peripheral Nerve Entrapment/ Nerve Injury
• CRPS/RSD
• Radiculopathy
• Other Neruological Disease
The good news is that there are successful treatment options available for most of these conditions. However, the proper treatment depends completely on an accurate diagnosis. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to visit a physician who specializes in the comprehensive care of all conditions effecting the foot, ankle and leg, such as those at Certified Foot and Ankle Specialists. Our board-certified physicians and surgeons work in a multi-disciplinary team, utilizing the most up to date diagnostic and treatment techniques for all of the above conditions. We are the only group in the area offering this multi-disciplinary approach with the most advanced equipment, including a weight bearing 3D CT Scanner. Awards have been won for our surgeons’ work with successful nerve decompression procedures on patients who had been diagnosed with CRPS of the foot and leg.
Chronic Pain In The Foot, Ankle And Leg
If you suffer chronic pain in the lower extremity, schedule an appointment today as there is likely hope for relief and return to function!