Your feet probably aren’t something you give much thought to. They don’t sit high on your list of priorities and concerns, and you likely aren’t lying awake at night concerned about them. Of course, all that can change in the blink of an eye the moment you suffer an injury. A torn ligament in your foot is no laughing matter, nor is it something you should ignore. Not only will it cause pain and discomfort, but there’s a good chance it will impact how you are able to go about your daily activities. Trust me, I’ve been there!
So, what can you do about a torn ligament in your foot? How can you pave the road to recovery and even speed up your results? Following are some essential tips and advice.
What are Common Signs and Symptoms?
If the injury is new you may be questioning if, in fact, it is a torn ligament. Some of the tell-tale signs and symptoms include:
- Bruising and/or swelling on the foot
- Being unable to put weight on the foot
- The pain becomes much stronger upon walking
- Tenderness and/or pain on the sides, bottom, or top of the foot
Schedule an Appointment with a Specialist
Because the worst thing you can do for torn ligament is ignore it, you want to schedule an appointment with a specialist as soon as possible. Not only will this provide you with a proper diagnosis, but your doctor will be able to provide you with a treatment plan.
Orthopedics is a particular field of medicine that focuses on the musculoskeletal system. You may have heard of an orthopedic surgeon before; this is the line of medicine they specialize in. This is exactly the professional that will be able to help with a torn ligament.
Yale Medicine’s department of orthopedics is a great place to look at, as they are able to treat a number of injuries and diseases that relate to the musculoskeletal system. They can help with anything from a routine issue, to those that are more complex and may even require surgery. They take a whole-treatment approach in that they offer physical therapy, pain management, and more.
Take a Break and Stay Off Your Foot
Typically, the first line of treatment, no matter the severity, is to take a break and stay off your foot. Pressure and weight will only add to the pain and can make the injury worse.
Ice Can Offer Relief
The use of an ice pack can offer immediate, though temporary, relief. Ice is typically used when there is swelling that causes pain. The ice will help to bring down the swelling, which in turn will cause a reduction in pain. You can aim for three to four times a day of icing your foot, keeping it on for 20 minutes at a time.
Pain Medication Can Offer Short-Term Relief
Pain medication in the form of NSAIDs can also offer short-term relief, but these aren’t meant for the long-term. There are also multiple holistic lotions and creams that can be used. These are my favorite choice :).
More Invasive Treatment May Be Needed
If these simple steps don’t help, and your injury is more severe, then it may be necessary to have a cast/brace put on, or even have surgery. Physical therapy can also be beneficial.
Typically, it is a combination of treatments that will provide real and lasting effects so make sure to listen to your body and do what you feel is best!
