Pain management is particularly important for podiatry patients, considering the importance of continued use and strain normally placed in this area of the body.
Foot pain can be caused by a variety of issues, including the many nerves that populate the foot and ankle. Johnston Pain Management can help with treatment in some of the following ways:
- Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), might relieve acute foot pain. Take these medications only as directed by your doctor.
- Narcotics - Drugs containing opioids, such as oxycodone or hydrocodone, may be used for a short time with close supervision by your doctor.
Antidepressants - Low doses of certain types of antidepressants — particularly tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline — have been shown to relieve some types of chronic foot pain independent of their effect on depression.
- Nerve Stimulation - Sometimes stimulating the nerve that lifts the foot improves foot pain.
- Steroid injections - Your doctor might inject corticosteroid medications near the nerve roots, into the small facet joints in the bones of the cervical spine or into the muscles in your neck to help with pain. Numbing medications, such as lidocaine, also can be injected to relieve your facial pain.
