People who suspect they have a foot stress fracture likely have to visit a health care professional to receive an accurate diagnosis. The doctor’s appointment will often include a patient interview and physical examination.
Ankle and Foot Injuries
The foot and ankle work together to provide support and mobility. All types of athletes are at risk of sustaining foot or ankle injuries or developing an ongoing condition. Injuries to the foot or ankle while being active are common. Learn more about the symptoms, risks, and treatments for common foot and ankle sports injuries below.
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Diagnosing Achilles Pain
Before diagnosing Achilles tendonitis or tendinopathy a doctor may conduct an exam and use medical imaging to rule out other conditions, such as tenosynovitis and Os trigonum syndrome.
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Diagnosing Turf Toe
Turf toe can occur over time, so symptoms may be mild at first. A patient should be aware of pain or swelling associated with the big toe joint, also called the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, which can prompt a proper diagnosis.
Most foot stress fractures can heal with nonsurgical treatments, such as the RICE method and taking over-the-counter pain medication. Recovery will often involve workout modifications and rest.
Although heel spurs are a normal finding on X-rays, plantar fasciitis is a more common cause of heel pain.
There are several outpatient procedures that can be used to treat plantar fasciitis. In rare cases, surgery may also be recommended as a treatment option.
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Plantar Fasciitis Diagnosis
Before making a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis a doctor must rule out other problems that can cause foot pain, such as a broken heel (calcaneus fracture), nerve entrapment, and Achilles tendonitis.
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Plantar Fasciitis Risk Factors
Experts believe that when the plantar fascia is put under strain it becomes inflamed or develops tiny tears (micro-tears), or both. This damage is typically associated with one or more of the risk factors as described in this informative article.
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Plantar Fasciitis Symptoms
Learn about the four main symptoms of plantar fasciitis. The pain is usually linked to long periods of complete rest or intense activity.
Plantar fasciitis will often go away on its own. However, treatment can speed up recovery time and prevent the condition from getting worse.
