FOOT & ANKLE PAIN DOCTORS IN CHICAGOLAND

Raising the Standard of Excellence for Foot and Ankle Pain Treatment

Every step, jump, lunge, or movement you make puts direct and repetitive pressure on the foot and ankle – two complex and strong structures that we depend on throughout our entire lives. With 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments, the stresses we put on our feet and ankles are significant. It’s no surprise that foot and ankle pain are one of the most common reasons why Americans access their healthcare provider when they are met with pain and immobility in these areas.

While it may be incredibly painful and concerning to experience, not every situation of the foot or ankle pain means surgery is required. The double-board certified physicians at MAPS Centers For Pain Control recognized the need for a leader in effective, non-surgical and minimally invasive procedures, and have helped thousands of patients find relief without the need for surgery or addictive pain medication.

If you experience pain in the feet or ankles, contact the team at MAPS Centers For Pain Control to schedule your appointment:

What is Foot & Ankle Pain?

Foot and ankle pain refers to any discomfort or pain felt in the structures of the foot and ankle, including the bones, muscles, tendons, nerves and ligaments. The severity can vary and stem from multiple causes, such as injuries or underlying medical conditions. Regardless of the cause, foot and ankle pain can significantly affect your ability to walk, stand, or carry out everyday tasks.

Foot & Ankle Pain Symptoms

People with foot and ankle pain typically experience discomfort or tenderness around their feet. More specifically, they may feel a sharp, dull, or throbbing pain that worsens with movement. It’s also common to experience the following symptoms:

• Swelling and bruising
• Grinding pain and the sensation of bone-on-bone
• Muscle spasms or cramps
• Weakness or numbness in the lower extremities
• Intermittent pain that subsides then returns
• Inflammation and redness
• Inability to put weight on the feet
• Pain when standing or walking
• Loss of motion in the ankle, foot, or toes
• Pain in the heel or Achilles tendon

What Causes Foot & Ankle Pain?

There are many possible causes of foot and ankle pain, including the following:

• Injuries: Accidents or sports can cause trauma such as sprains, fractures and strains, all of which contribute to feet and ankle pain.
  
• Overuse: Activities such as running or prolonged standing can cause muscle strains and place excessive stress on your feet and ankles.
  
• Osteoarthritis: This degenerative joint disease causes the breakdown of cartilage in the foot and ankle, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
  
• Plantar Fasciitis: Inflammation of the plantar fascia (the tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot) can cause sharp pain.
  
• Neuropathy: This condition causes nerve damage, which may result in burning, tingling, or numbness in the feet and ankles. Neuropathy is linked to a variety of conditions, including diabetes, nerve compression, and injury.
  
• Obesity and Sedentary Lifestyle: A lack of physical activity contributes to obesity, which puts extra strain on the feet and ankles.
  
• Twisted Ankle: Twisting your ankle can stretch and tear the ligaments, resulting in pain and swelling.
  
• Disease and Infection: Infections and diseases such as gout can cause intense pain, inflammation, and swelling in the foot or ankle.
  
• Biomechanical Issues: Abnormalities in foot structure or gait, such as flat feet or high arches, can make it difficult to walk and put weight on the feet.

Foot & Ankle Pain Diagnosis

Proper ankle and foot pain treatment requires an accurate diagnosis. At MAPS Centers for Pain Control, we identify the underlying cause of your pain so that we can create the most personalized, effective plans possible. The diagnosis process may include the following:

• Medical consultation: We’ll start by learning more about your condition, including your symptoms, medical history, any recent injuries and possible causes.
  
• Physical Examination: A physical exam helps assess the location of the pain, symptoms, range of motion and any strength or gait issues. You may be asked to move your feet or walk around, which helps determine your foot functionality.
  
• Advanced Testing: To properly diagnose the source of your pain, we recommend advanced testing. This can include X-rays (which help identify bone fractures and dislocations), blood tests (which check for infections), and ultrasounds (which provide visual images of the soft tissue structures in your feet).
  

What Foot & Ankle Pain Treatments Do We Offer?

MAPS is Chicago’s leader in conservative treatment for chronic and acute pain, including pain in the ankles, feet, and toes. Every patient undergoes a comprehensive medical exam so our physicians may note their symptoms, history, and determine an appropriate treatment plan.

Many treatments may include or be a combination of responsible medication management, physical therapy, bracing, an injection-based protocol, or other innovative treatments:

Injection-Based Therapy

Many patients respond positively to our injection-based treatments which offer the benefit of rapid pain relief as well as the benefits of being non-surgical. Many of them also help to lubricate the intricate ligaments and tissues surrounding and within the joints. This may include:

• Intra-articular Joint Injections: These injections deliver medication directly into a specific joint space within the foot or ankle. Once administered, they help reduce inflammation, lower pain and improve joint function.
• Cortisone (Steroidal) Injections: Cortisone injections are a type of intra-articular injection that use corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and provide relief. Generally used for conditions such as osteoarthritis, they immediately decrease inflammation (which in turn improves mobility).

Alternative Medicine

The team at MAPS offers an innovative injection therapy plan that contains growth elements that harness the body’s natural ability to heal. Many patients have reported improvement in the strengthening and restabilization using these innovative techniques.

Commonly referred to as platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) therapy, it injects a concentration of platelets and growth factors (which are derived from your blood) directly into the pain area. This encourages cell regeneration and tissue repair, which stimulates the body’s natural healing process.

Responsible Medication Management

While the opioid crisis has made a negative impact on reducing the pain of Americans, there is still a place for responsible medication management that is closely monitored and observed if it provides a benefit to our patients. Our physicians may recommend:

• Ethical Pain Medicine Management: Ethical medication management involves prescribing necessary medication while taking steps to mitigate adverse effects and overuse.
• Over-The-Counter Medications and Supplements: In more minor cases, OTC medications can help provide pain relief.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

We are leaders in interventional pain procedures that use the latest in medical technology to intercept pain signals from reaching the brain. Rather than masking symptoms with medication, many patients find long-term relief from procedures such as:

• Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): This treatment uses heat generated by radio waves to target nerve fibers that send pain signals to the brain.

Physical Therapy

Many of our patients find positive results when they couple their treatment with a physical therapy program. Our physicians work with primary care physicians as well as experienced, qualified physical therapists in the city to ensure our patients benefit from a comprehensive treatment plan and may refer to you a PT if it is beneficial. Our patients truly get the best care possible.

Bracing & Support

While it’s a challenge to move when in pain, bracing and rehabilitative support can help provide better outcomes in many scenarios. For some patients, a program of elevating the painful foot to provide intervals of rest may be recommended as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find a Foot & Ankle Clinic Location Near You

Contact Us Today