How To Recognize the Subtle Signs of Serious Foot Problems

Foot health is often overlooked, but during National Foot Health Awareness Month, it's the perfect time for us at PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center to shed light on how crucial early detection of foot problems is. Recognizing early signs and symptoms is the best path to effective treatment, so let's delve into some of these foot conditions and how you can become more vigilant.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage in the feet that often starts with subtle symptoms. Numbness, tingling, or a gradual loss of sensation can mask injuries or infections and make them go unnoticed until they become severe (diabetics are especially at risk). To detect it early, pay attention to any changes in sensation in your feet, such as decreased ability to feel temperature or touch, and report these to your doctor.

Charcot Foot

Another secondary consequence of diabetes, Charcot Foot, is a severe condition that causes bones in the foot to weaken and fracture, which sometimes leads to significant deformity to the arch of the foot. It often occurs in people with neuropathy and can be difficult to detect in its early stages due to their inability to feel. Be vigilant for swelling, warmth, or redness in the foot, even without pain, as these can be early signs.

Foot Infections

Foot infections, especially in people with diabetes or poor circulation, can be much more dangerous than they seem. However, it’s the seemingly harmless ailments that cause them- such as ingrown toenails or scrapes from skin conditions- that people don’t tend to enough. What starts as a small cut or blister can quickly escalate into a serious ulcer or infection that potentially requires amputation.

Chronic Ankle Instability

Ankle sprains are common, but repeated sprains can lead to chronic ankle instability. The prevalence of ankle instability is not given enough credit, and the “giving way” of the ankle is often downplayed. However, CAI can lead to long-term joint damage and arthritis if left untreated. If you are an athlete, we’ve seen chronic ankle issues spoil sports seasons, so don’t take any recurrent ankle pain, feelings of instability, or frequent ankle rolling lightly.

Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral Artery Disease is a circulatory condition affecting blood flow to the legs and feet, and can be a sign of more widespread cardiovascular problems. While often underestimated, it increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. If you experience leg pain during exercise that subsides with rest, coldness or discoloration in the feet, and non-healing sores, reach out to a trusted podiatrist.

At PodiatryCare, PC, and the Heel Pain Center, we treat a wide variety of foot and ankle ailments. Dr. Matthew Tschudy, Dr. Rebecca Wiesner, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and the rest of our team are ready to serve our Hartford County patients. To schedule an appointment at our Enfield location, call (860) 741-3041; for an appointment at our South Windsor location, call (860) 644-6525.