Foot Pain Treatment

Our podiatrists in Bluffton and Hilton Head provide ankle and foot pain treatment options so you can get back on your feet as early as possible.

Taking Care of Your Feet the Right Way

Your feet do a lot of work daily, which is why they’re prone to wear and tear. And since you depend on your feet to move around, it’s a big deal when you have foot pain. Fortunately, Hilton Head Regional Healthcare offers personalized care for various causes of foot and ankle pain.

If you experience pain because of an injury or a pre-existing condition, such as diabetes, a sprain or a broken bone, we’re here to help you bring back your mobility. We provide immediate treatment, patient education and support during recovery. Our dedicated foot doctors, specially-trained nurses, technicians and administrative staff will guide you every step of the way with the expertise and compassion that makes us a community built on care.

Our Foot Pain Treatment Options and Services

Our footcare team at Hilton Head Regional Healthcare focuses on providing diagnostic solutions, pain management strategies and foot pain treatment options such as the following:

• Ankle replacement surgery
• Bioengineered skin substitutes
• Casting or splinting
• Diabetic foot care
• Heel injections
• Injury care and treatment
• Medications
• Onsite foot and ankle X-rays and MRI scans
• Physical therapy
• Removal of calluses, corns or plantar warts
• Wound care

Foot Injuries and Conditions We Treat

We offer our services for various foot injuries and conditions, such as but not limited to, the following:

• Ankle pain
• Bunions
• Broken bones
• Corns
• Diabetic complications
• Failed past surgery issues
• Foot deformity
• Foot swelling or tenderness
• Foot trauma
• Hammertoes
• Heel pain/spurs
• Ingrown and fungal toenails
• Neuropathy or tingling in the foot
• Plantar warts
• Sports injuries (e.g., sprains, strains, tears, etc.)
• Tendonitis
• Wounds or infections

Common Foot Pain Causes

The following factors, medical conditions and incidents may cause foot pain:

• A congenital foot deformity
• Arthritis
• Ankle or knee problems
• Broken bones
• Bunions
• Calluses or corns
• Certain medications
• Diabetes
• Excessing walking
• Fallen arches (flat feet)
• Foot ulcers or sores
• Gout
• Hammertoes
• Heel inflammation
• Heel spurs or Achilles tendinitis
• Nerve damage in the feet
• Nail infection
• Obesity
• Old age
• Plantar warts
• Sports activities or injuries
• Sprains and strains
• Standing for extended periods
• Stress fracture
• Trauma
• Wearing shoes that lack cushioning or fit poorly

How to Prevent Chronic Foot Pain

Here are some of the best ways to help keep your foot or ankle pain from getting worse:

• Follow your podiatrist’s medical advice
• Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight if necessary
• Practice good feet hygiene
• Try to limit wearing high heels and shoes with narrow toe areas
• Stretch before exercising or vigorous physical activity
• Wear comfortable, well-cushioned and roomy footwear as often as possible

What Is a Podiatrist?

A podiatrist, also known as a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM), focuses on providing care for your ankles, feet and other leg structures. They complete four years of education and clinical training in a podiatric medical school and three years of residency training in a clinic or hospital.

Podiatrists in Bluffton and Hilton Head are board-certified, which requires advanced training, clinical experience and the passing of specific exams provided by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine and the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. They may also subspecialize in various healthcare fields, such as diabetic care, pediatrics, sports medicine, surgery and wound care.

What Is the Difference Between a Podiatrist and an Orthopedist?

Podiatrics and orthopedics overlap in some care areas, such as the foot and ankle, but they are trained differently. A podiatrist provides health solutions specifically for the feet, ankles and connecting parts of the legs. An orthopedist diagnoses, manages, and treast various conditions that affect the entire musculoskeletal system or the bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments throughout your body.

Therefore, when it comes to ankle and foot care, a podiatrist focuses on dermatology and biomechanics, while an orthopedist focuses on bones, soft tissues and joints of the feet and ankles.

When to See a Podiatrist in Hilton Head or Bluffton

Please schedule an appointment with a podiatrist as soon as you experience any of these symptoms:

• Ankle pain
• Foot pain
• Inability to walk or decreased mobility

We also recommend that you visit a podiatrist in Bluffton or Hilton Head if you have medical conditions or concerns that may increase your risk for foot or ankle pain, such as the following:

• Arthritis
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Poor blood circulation
• Stroke

Meanwhile, please call 911 or ask someone to bring you to the emergency room if you experience any of the following symptoms for more than a day:

• An open sore, wound or ulcer on your foot
• Bleeding, redness or bruising in your foot
• Foot pain following an injury
• Foot pain if you have diabetes or a condition that affects blood flow
• Inability to support your weight
• Joint swelling
• Signs of foot infection (i.e., a fever, redness, tenderness, warmth)
• Severe foot pain

How to Relieve Foot Pain at Home

You may ease foot pain while waiting for your appointment with a podiatrist in Bluffton or Hilton Head by doing the following:

• Apply an ice pack to the affected area.
• Elevate the affected foot and let it rest.
• Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever.
• Wear a footpad to keep you from touching the affected area.

Schedule an Appointment with a Foot Doctor in Hilton Head or Bluffton

If you’re experiencing foot or ankle pain, please do not delay care. The longer you do, the more damage you could experience. Our foot doctors or podiatrists in Hilton Head and Bluffton provide immediate foot pain treatment while keeping your safety in mind. Schedule an appointment for proper diagnosis, pain management or treatment by calling 833-383-3744.