#1- Even What Seems Like A Minor Foot Or Ankle Pain, 

Can Be So Much More

That ache or irritation you might be feeling in your foot or ankle could be a much bigger deal than you think. For instance, nerve conditions are common in the feet but they often start out as a minor ache. You could take Advil or Tylenol but it wouldn’t help. Changing shoes, icing or resting the feet also doesn’t help. Many people just leave it go hoping the ache will fade away.

Guess what? Instead of going away it often gets worse. Now, if it was addressed quickly, it usually can be fixed easier. Once a nerve condition picks up speed, it can be a bear to eliminate. This minor ache could result in foot surgery. Nerve surgery can take months to heal.

Minor aches in the foot or ankle could also be from a ligament strain, tendinitis, cartilage damage or one of the first signs of diabetes. In any case, not having it checked out by a specialist early is risking a much bigger situation then is necessary.

Unfortunately, we’ve even seen a few cases of cancer in the foot that started out as a minor pain. Discomfort of a toe, especially on or around a nail with a dark discoloration is something that must be looked at immediately. Melanoma isn’t common but does occur. We’ve caught it early enough that none of our patients have lost a limb or their life.