Treatments and Home Remedies for Foot and Ankle Pain
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Foot pain treatment and ankle pain treatment are paramount if you find yourself with painful, aching or sore ankles or feet. Our feet and ankles put in a lot of work for us on a daily basis. And pain in our feet and ankles can really keep us from doing the things we love. Here are some handy tips... and tricks on how to help get rid foot pain.
We all experience it from time to time. You’ve been on your feet for too long or you didn’t see that divot in the lawn and you twisted your ankle. Foot and ankle pain causes can be as simple as shoes that don’t fit, to something that needs medical attention, like a sprain or fracture. Foot problems can also stem from systemic illnesses like diabetes, gout, or joint pain from osteoarthritis.
While they can often be treated at home, sometimes foot and ankle pain require medical attention. When to see a doctor:
- If the pain is getting noticeably worse
- If you notice changes to the colour of your skin, such as turning blueish or black
- If you notice progressive changes to the shape of your foot
- If you notice signs of infection, like swelling and warmth when touched
- If you cannot bear any weight on your foot
Topical NSAIDS
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Voltarol are helpful for reducing pain, fighting off inflammation, and helping to speed recovery from pain. You can read more below about when Voltarol might be an appropriate medication for your pain.
Paracetamol
Painkillers such as paracetamol can relieve pain.
Steroid injections
In cases of persistent foot and ankle pain, your doctor may prescribe steroid injections. They can help alleviate inflamed tendons – as in the case of plantar fasciitis, for instance – and painful joints – as in the case of osteoarthritis in the foot or ankle. These should be administered by a medical doctor.
A cast, splint, or brace
If your foot or ankle is broken, you may need a cast or splint. They help immobilise your foot or ankle while the broken bone is healing. This ensures that the bone fuses in the proper position that it was set in. Once the cast is removed, your doctor may prescribe you a brace as a transitional device before jumping straight back into cast-free living. You may go directly to a brace, foregoing a cast, if you simply sprain your ankle and no bones are broken.
Surgery
Surgery is sometimes recommended to correct mechanical problems in the feet. These can include things like bunions or hammer toes, for instance. Foot surgery for pain relief usually involves repositioning and resetting the joints and bones of the feet into their correct positions.
Home remedies for foot and ankle pain
RICE
RICE is one of the most straightforward home remedies for ankle pain and foot pain. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. It is the first basic step to recovering from an acute musculoskeletal injury. It can relieve swelling, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. Here’s how to do it: ...
Rest
Rest is necessary for tissue repair. Continued weight bearing and movement can impede healing. Get comfortable and get ready to stay sitting or lying down for the first few days after a foot or ankle injury.
Ice
Cold can be helpful in reducing acute pain and inflammation in the first few days after an injury. Apply an ice pack or bag of ice (or even a bag of frozen veggies will work!) to your foot or ankle throughout the day. Never apply an ice pack directly to your skin. Instead, wrap it in a thin towel and then place it on your foot or ankle, for around 20 minutes, 4 or more times per day.
Compression
Compression can help reduce swelling. Consider carefully wrapping your foot or ankle with an elastic bandage. A word of caution – be sure not to wrap the bandage too tight or apply excessive compression, as this can interfere with blood circulation. That would be no good.
Elevation
Elevation also helps reduce swelling. Elevate your foot whilst resting for a foot pain remedy with a touch of relaxation too.
If you’re still in acute pain after 3 days, see a healthcare professional.
Well-fitting shoes
A fairly straightforward foot pain remedy, a well-fitting pair of shoes can go a long way in both reducing and preventing foot pain when walking. We’ve all done it. Squeezing our feet into a too-tight pair of shoes because they go with our outfit may feel like the right decision for making an impression, but it’s no good for our feet. Instead, wear shoes that fit. For instance, find a shoe with a toe box big enough to accommodate your toes without crowding. And it’s not only about fit. You’ll want to make sure your shoes provide proper support, too. This means arch-support, and shoes that provide cushioning between the bottom of your foot and the ground.
Orthotics
Also known as insoles, orthotics can help correct biomechanical misalignments in your feet where they exist. Such misalignments can affect how you walk, run, or stand. They can be an effective ankle and foot pain remedy. There are two main types of orthotics:
- First are orthotics that can be purchased over-the-counter at your pharmacy. Some can be purchased off the shelf, whereas others are recommended by shape or type based on a foot scan performed at the store. These may be suitable if you are of average height and weight, and have generic foot pain, such as arch soreness.
- Custom prescription orthotics, on the other hand, are measured and ordered for you by a healthcare professional following a thorough medical examination and history.
Stretches and strengthening exercises
Daily foot and ankle stretches can help alleviate foot and ankle pain as well as prevent future discomfort or injury. All they require is a small commitment on your part to set aside time every day for this foot and ankle pain home remedy. Ailments like flat feet or plantar fasciitis benefit from foot stretches. In the case of plantar fasciitis, stretching your feet before you get out of bed in the morning can lessen some of that first-thing-in-the-morning tenderness.
One of the best exercises for foot health: walking! That’s because walking puts your foot through its full range of motion. Of course, do what you can. So, lace up your runners and go for a walk around the block. Added bonus: aerobic exercise can get your mood-boosting endorphins pumping, too. Side effect: smiling a lot.
Voltarol products for foot and ankle pain relief
Well, here’s some good news. You can use Voltarol for foot pain, as well as ankle pain, to get you back moving with joy again. Voltarol products for foot pain treatment and ankle pain treatment include:
- Voltarol gels
- Voltarol medicated plasters
Each of these products deliver a targeted dose of diclofenac for effective results that will have you on the path to pain-free, joyful movement.
Voltarol gels are indicated for soft tissue injuries (that’s when you injure tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints) – such as sprains, strains, or bruises. They’re also for soft tissue rheumatism – including tendonitis which can be quite common in the feet and ankles.
Voltarol medicated plasters are for pain relief in acute strains, sprains or bruises that occur as a result of an injury.
Whether it’s from joint pain, muscle pain, or a sprain, Voltarol medicated products work by delivering a dose of diclofenac, a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), for triple relief:
- Relieves pain
- Reduces inflammation
- Helps speed recovery
Each product has its own delivery system – be it a gel or plaster – to get you relief where you need it most.
Voltarol Gels
Voltarol gels penetrate deep into your skin and targets delivery directly to the affected tissue underlying the treated area. As well as reducing pain, the active ingredient, diclofenac, treats inflammation which is one of the major causes of foot and ankle pain. Our Voltarol 2.32% Gel lasts for longer than our 1.16% Gel, as diclofenac accumulates under the skin, acting as a reservoir for sustained release for up to 12 hours of pain relief.
Explore Voltarol products for pain relief
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Health, wellness & your pain
Pain is rarely just physical nor is it always solved by taking medicine alone. Voltarol is your ally in helping you take more control of your pain journey, from the way to sleep, to what you eat, mental wellbeing and complementary pain relief therapies.
