Inflammation is your body’s normal protective response to an injury, irritation, or surgery. This “defense” process brings increased blood flow to the injured area, which results in an accumulation of fluid.
Inflammation can be acute or chronic. When it is acute, that means it happens as an immediate response to trauma (an injury or surgery), usually within two hours.
When it is chronic, the inflammation it is a response to a longer-term medical condition, such as arthritis.
Symptoms of Acute Inflammation
As the body starts this natural protective response, the symptoms of inflammation develop, including
- Swelling
- Pain
- Increased warmth and redness of the skin
Although inflammation can be caused by an infection, that kind of inflammation is the same and is treated differently. Your foot and ankle surgeon can best determine the cause of your inflamed tissue.
Treatment of Acute Inflammation
To reduce inflammation and the resulting swelling and pain in your foot or ankle, the injured tissue needs to be properly treated. Initial treatment for acute inflammation in the foot or ankle is called RICE therapy:
- Rest: Stay off the foot or ankle. Walking may cause further injury.
- Ice: Apply an ice pack to the injured area, placing a thin towel between the ice and the skin. Use ice for 20 minutes and then wait at least 40 minutes before icing again.
- Compression: An elastic wrap should be used to control swelling.
- Elevation: The foot or ankle should be raised slightly above the level of your heart to reduce swelling.
In addition to the above treatment, your foot and ankle surgeon may prescribe a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ibuprofen, or another type of medication.
Inflammation will usually get better within two or three days. If your pain and discomfort do not improve after three days, call your foot and ankle doctor or go to an emergency room to find out if there is a more serious problem.
As with any medical problem, it’s important that you follow your foot and ankle doctor’s instructions and advice carefully regarding your injury or care.
Remember, any type of foot or ankle pain is never normal. A foot and ankle doctor can examine your feet and give you the best course of action.
Please call 626-447-2184 (Arcadia) or 818-408-2800 (San Fernando) to speak to a foot and ankle specialist about your foot and/or ankle needs.