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Foot pain
Description
An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of foot pain.
Alternative Names
Bunions; Corns; Hammertoe; Plantar fasciitis
Foot Injury Treatment
If you suspect that bones in a toe or foot have been broken or fractured, you should call a doctor, who will probably order x-rays. It should be noted that a person is often able to walk even if a foot bone has been fractured, particularly if it is a chipped bone or a toe fracture.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to treat mild pain caused by muscle inflammation. Aspirin is the most common NSAID. Others include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, Rufen), ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis KT), naproxen (Aleve, Naprelan), and tolmetin (Tolectin). A gel containing ibuprofen can be applied to sore joints. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is not an NSAID, and although it is a mild pain reliever, it will not reduce inflammation. It is important to note that high doses or long-term use of any NSAID can cause gastrointestinal disturbances, with sometimes serious consequences, including dangerous bleeding. No one should take NSAIDs for prolonged periods without consulting a doctor.
RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation)
The acronym RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation, the four basic elements of immediate treatment for an injured foot.
- Rest. Patients should get off injured feet as soon as possible.
- Ice. Ice is particularly important to reduce swelling and promote recovery during the first 48 hours. A bag or towel containing ice should be wrapped around the injured area on a repetitive cycle of 20 minutes on, 40 minutes off.
- Compression. An Ace bandage should be lightly wrapped around the area.
- Elevation. The foot should be elevated on several pillows.
Minor injuries like sprains may be treated at home if broken bones are not suspected. The acronym RICE is helpful in remembering how to treat minor injuries: "R" stands for rest, "I" is for ice, "C" is for compression, and "E" is for elevation. Pain and swelling should decrease within 48 hours, and gentle movement may be beneficial, but pressure should not be put on a sprained joint until pain is completely gone (one to several weeks).
- Review Date: 12/4/2006
- Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, In-Depth Reports; Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital
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