Sudden trauma or severe symptoms in your feet are considered to be a medical emergency and should be treated promptly. You should go to the emergency room for life-threatening injuries or conditions, but you can contact your podiatrist for advice.
Accidents happen, and it is important to know what to do if you are in an emergency situation. The podiatrist team at Newtown Foot & Ankle Specialists, serving the Solebury, PA area, describes three types of foot injury emergencies and what actions you can take.
Sports Injuries
If you are an athlete, you take precautions before exercising to avoid injury on the playing field. However, accidents can happen, and despite stretching or protective gear, you may suffer a sports injury to your toes, feet, or ankles.
You may notice pain, swelling, and difficulty walking or moving with an injury to a joint or bone. You should talk to your podiatrist or go to the emergency room for imaging to determine the extent of your injury. Your doctor will likely recommend a cast or splint to keep the bones in place as they heal.
Puncture or Slice Wounds
A puncture occurs when a pointed object pierces through the skin. Stepping on a nail is an example of this type of injury. The wound should be kept clean and dry with bandaging, and it should be elevated to reduce potential swelling. Talk to a medical professional about your injury and let them know if you notice any signs of infection.
A slice wound is a cut or tear in the skin from a sharp object. These injuries can vary in severity depending on the deepness of the wound. You should clean and bandage this injury as well as apply pressure to stop the bleeding. If bleeding continues, the wound may require stitches and you should contact a medical professional.
Clotting Emergencies
If you notice swelling or leg pain or cramping, you might have a blood clot in your leg or foot. Clots can be dangerous because they can block blood flow to vital body parts, so you should contact a medical professional promptly if you recognize these symptoms.
Untreated blood clots in the leg may lead to a gangrene infection due to the lack of circulation in the foot. Your doctor can diagnose a blood clot with imaging technology and treat it with blood thinners or surgical intervention.
Call a Podiatrist Today in Solebury, PA
Newtown Foot & Ankle Specialists can help your foot injuries, toenail fungus, foot diseases, and more. Our podiatrist team can treat foot, toe, and ankle pain or discomfort for patients near Solebury, PA. To schedule an appointment with us, contact our office online or reach us by phone at 215.234.3772.