Some things do best when they are left alone. Cacti don’t need a lot of care or interference to thrive. Most people’s hair will grow out after a haircut without any help. Even minor injuries like cuts and bruises on an otherwise healthy person will go away with time. Other injuries, however, are not like that. They do need care to alleviate pain and eliminate the problem. Swelling after an injury is like that—you can’t just leave swollen feet alone.
Swelling, also called edema, develops for many reasons. Typically feet swell because of a problem. After you’ve injured your foot, it’s a sign that you’ve damaged tissues in your lower limbs. Fluid collects around the injury, causing the swelling. This can be quite uncomfortable as well as compress the surrounding tissues, limiting motion in your foot and contributing to pain. It can also get in the way of your foot’s recovery.
Ignoring swollen feet and doing nothing about it means you aren’t addressing the pain or the problem. Taking steps to eliminate the edema allows you to not only feel better, but to take care of your lower limbs. It’s not hard to address swelling at home, either:
- Take a break – Stop activities that strain your feet so you don’t make whatever injury that caused the swelling worse. Limit how much you use your affected foot for a short time, too.
- Ice it – Cold therapy discourages swelling. Apply an ice pack for 10-20 minutes, then give your foot a break. Do this several times a day immediately after the injury for the first few days.
- Wrap it – A compression bandage prevents fluid from collecting in your feet. Make sure it’s not too tight and cutting off circulation.
- Prop it up – Keep your foot elevated so gravity doesn’t cause fluid to collect in your lower limbs.
Swelling shouldn’t be ignored. It’s a sign you have an injury that needs treatment. Don’t just hope it goes away on its own and neglect the real problem—or worse, allow the problem to deteriorate. Let our experts at Podiatry Associates, P.C. help you. We’ll help you manage and eliminate the edema and the underlying condition. Call (303) 805-5156 or use the online forms to make an appointment at our Parker, Cherry Creek, or Castle Pines, CO, offices.