The “How Do I Know If” Issue…
One of the reasons “Dr. Google” is so popular is you can get an instant answer to a burning question about a health concern. Getting some insight, although not always accurate, is at least something compared to wondering and worrying.
What many people want to learn in a search is “How do I know if” this or that is happening. We’d like to help you with some of that as it pertains to something you may be experiencing with your feet.
How do I know if the discoloration of my nails is from Fungus? This isn’t an easy one to answer. Nail discoloration can be from an injury, fungus, protein and much less commonly, melanoma. Comparing your toenail to a picture won’t cut it. A trained eye at the least or a lab test is necessary to know the cause of a color change of a nail.
How do I know if I broke my toe? Pain and swelling of a toe after stubbing it or having something drop on it are common signs of a broken toe. An x-ray is ultimately needed to make a diagnosis. It is normal to be able to walk on a broken bone in the foot. Ice, a stiff-soled shoe, splinting the toe to next one and avoiding strenuous activities are important for healing.
How do I know if the pain in my heel is from a spur? You probably have heard of a heel spur. They are common on the bottom of the heel bone. Pain in the heel doesn’t necessarily mean a spur is present. An x-ray is needed to make this diagnosis. There are several other things that cause pain in the heel.
How do I know if I need foot surgery? Most foot surgeries are done because of chronic pain. Just because a condition is present, such as a bunion or bone spur, doesn’t automatically justify surgery. This is entirely a personal matter. Trying non-invasive remedies first is always a good approach. We will help guide you through this process should you have questions about the best option.