Five foot problems men in Chicago should never ignore

Feet are the Rodney Dangerfield of body parts; they don’t get no respect.

That’s especially true for men’s feet. Men often resist going to the doctor when they’re sick or in pain. But most foot conditions are treatable, and easier to treat, when diagnosed early.

Five foot problems they should never ignore:

• Heel pain  is often caused by tissue inflammation, but can also result from a broken bone, a tight Achilles tendon, a pinched nerve, or other problem. A qualified physician will know how to diagnose and treat the true cause of heel pain.

• Ankle sprains  always, always, always require a prompt visit to the doctor. Men who skip out on medical care are more likely to suffer repeated ankle sprains and then develop chronic ankle instability.

• Big toe stiffness and pain  develops slowly over time, as cartilage in the big toe joint wears down. This eventually leads to arthritis. The sooner a man has this diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.

• Achilles tendonitis  usually develops from a sudden increase in physical activity, such as when men play weekend sports. Chances of an Achilles tendon rupture can be reduced by treatment of the symptoms of Achilles tendonitis: pain and tenderness on the back of the foot or heel.

• Ingrown toenails  can pierce the skin, open the door for bacteria to enter the body, and convince some men to perform dangerous “bathroom surgery.” Few men know that a doctor can perform a quick procedure that will end the pain and permanently cure an ingrown toenail.

If you or a man in your life has been dealing with any of these issues, I would love to see what I can do to help. There’s no need to tough it out while the problem gets worse.

If you think you’re just too busy to see a doctor, our office has convenient hours from 9 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday. Saturday appointments are also available upon request. Making an appointment is quick and easy – you can call 773.697.3511 or click our Appointment Request page.

I hope to see you soon and get you back to a life without foot pain.