Whether or not you realize it, you rely a lot on your feet and ankles through day-to-day life. A task as simple as grabbing a snack from the refrigerator becomes significantly more complicated with a foot or ankle injury.
Of course, that’s even more true when it comes to tackling your daily workout or walking to your favorite corner store. Struggling with an injured foot or ankle is disheartening, but recovery is entirely possible—in fact, it can be relatively simple.
1. Take any prescribed medications.
If your doctor asks your local pharmacy to fill a prescription, there’s a reason. You must take that medication as prescribed. First and foremost, you must pick up that prescription in the first place. If the purchase price is deterring you from sticking to your defined treatment plan, head to a resource like usarx.com to get the medical treatment you need at a more affordable price. With USArx’s pharmacy discounts, you can get the medication you need and follow your doctor’s instructions to a tee.
2. Utilize non-surgical treatment methods.
Taking prescription medication isn’t the only medical advice you should follow, and that doesn’t mean you should default to surgery as the only alternative. A sports medicine professional or physical therapist can offer the non-surgical foot and ankle treatment you need to relieve swelling or inflammation from a sprain, fracture, or other joint problem. A torn ligament or tendon injury will require different stretches and therapies to get your foot or ankle back in working order. More often than not, your non-surgical treatment options and medication can be enough to avoid surgery or further intervention.
3. Keep home remedies in mind.
At-home treatments won’t replace the impact of professional medical advice, but they can ease your symptoms while you heal your foot or ankle condition. Methods such as RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) can help promote healing and reduce the side effects of your injury. In addition, over-the-counter medications can relieve pain, while specific herbal remedies can reduce inflammation or other symptoms. If you are considering OTC or herbal medicines, be sure to ask your doctor first to avoid any adverse reactions.
4. Learn about your injury.
You don’t need a medical degree to understand your foot or ankle injury better. First, take a moment during your physical therapy session or follow-up appointment and ask about resources that offer insight into your condition. Then, explore the books, websites, or other materials they recommend so you‘ll know what to expect.
When in doubt, defer to the professional medical advice from your healthcare providers but, when push comes to shove, you’ll have an understanding of your foot or ankle condition and how you can best manage it.
5. Be an active participant in your treatment plan.
Beyond researching your condition, you must take action to ease your symptoms. First, head to the pharmacy and pick up your medication, then take it as prescribed. Next, attend physical therapy and work through any “homework” your physical therapist prescribes. Ask questions about factors you don’t understand and verify anything that doesn’t seem quite right. By participating actively in your recovery, you‘ll have greater control over your injury’s aftermath.
With the right treatment plan, education, and home care, you can recover from a foot or ankle injury and the common side effects associated with it. Take your medication, work through your physical therapy sessions, and implement any lifestyle changes your healthcare providers recommend. You might even find your foot and ankle have a greater range of motion and functionality than they did before your injury! From PT to the pharmacy, your treatment plan is ultimately in your hands—and you can help it along, one tip at a time.
