Our Skilled Texas Podiatrists Offer Foot Wound Pain Management Tips
There are many types of foot wounds, but almost all of them are painful, and they can also be dangerous without prompt and proper treatment. By consulting with a podiatrist, it is possible to get relief from the pain of a foot wound and promote healing. Whether you have never had a foot wound before or if you have a chronic condition, the experienced podiatrists at Alliance Foot & Ankle Specialists can help with diagnosis, treatment, and pain management. Here, we discuss pain management strategies for foot wounds. 
Understanding Foot Wounds
A foot wound can occur because of a fall or sudden trauma, but it can also develop over time due to a cut or abrasion that goes unnoticed. Sometimes, the wound becomes an ulcer and may have some of these characteristics:
- Redness and swelling
- Warm to the touch
- Cracked, dry, or scaly skin
- Discoloration: the skin around the wound or the wound itself turns red, pink, gray, or yellow
- The wound itches or burns
When an ulcer gets worse or becomes infected, often patients will often notice the following:
- The wound is draining or there is blood seeping into your socks
- A bad odor
- A ring around the center of the wound that feels harder than the surrounding skin
- The discoloration turns black, which often indicates gangrene
- A fever
Tips for Managing Your Foot Wound Pain
Whether you have an acute foot wound, which is a sudden skin injury that heals within a normal time frame, or a chronic foot wound that doesn’t heal in a timely manner, both are painful and can affect the quality of your life. When you have a foot wound, it’s important to watch for signs of infection, such as worsening pain, increased redness, pus, warmth in the infected area, or swelling. Our top-notch podiatrists understand that when you’re in pain, you want management strategies that can help with the pain and promote healing. Here are some pain management strategies commonly used when treating foot wounds:
Prop up Your Foot
Staying off your feet can help with the pain, especially if the wound is at the bottom of your foot. Keeping weight off the affected area is a critical step in managing the pain and to promoting healing. Additionally, you should elevate the injured foot. Doing so can aid in pain relief by reducing swelling and improving circulation in the foot.
Topical Wound Care
Infection is a major risk when you have a foot wound, so it’s important to clean this type of wound regularly with mild soap and water or as directed by your podiatrist and to apply an appropriate dressing to help keep it clean and dry.
Consider Medication
Pain is a common symptom of a foot wound. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may be helpful if you have minor discomfort. If needed, your podiatrist may prescribe a stronger type of pain medication. If the wound becomes infected, your podiatrist may prescribe antibiotics for you to take orally or apply topically.
Use Devices to Alleviate Pressure
Depending on your diagnosis and treatment plan, your podiatrist might recommend using an offloading device, such as crutches, a wheelchair, or a walking boot. These devices can help reduce pressure on the wound and aid in the healing process.
Re-evaluate Your Footwear
You may not need an offloading device, but you may need to re-evaluate the shoes you wear. Shoes can play a role in foot wound pain management. When you have a foot injury, it’s important to wear shoes that fit properly and will protect the wound, keep friction at a minimum, and support the foot. Consider a custom orthotic, and wear shoes with padding or insoles to help relieve pressure on the affected area.
Consider Debridement
If you have a deep, open wound on your foot or if it won’t heal properly with other treatments, your podiatrist may recommend a debridement procedure to remove dead tissue, debris, or dirt from the wound. This procedure, which can be surgical or nonsurgical, promotes healing, helps reduce pain, can prevent infection, and minimizes your risk of developing additional complications.
Make Changes to Your Lifestyle
If you're a person with diabetes or have circulation issues that put you at risk of developing foot wounds that are hard to heal, your podiatrist may suggest making certain lifestyle changes. These might include improving your foot hygiene and scheduling regular checkups. These strategies may help reduce your risk of chronic foot wounds and the serious complications associated with them.
Alliance Foot & Ankle Specialists Can Help
When you’re in pain from a foot wound, you should see a podiatrist right away. It’s never a good idea to ignore even a minor wound, as it can become infected or develop into a more severe problem quickly. Even if you choose to use pain management strategies at home, it’s important to have your foot wound properly diagnosed and treated as soon as there are signs of infection or that the wound isn’t healing. The complications of an untreated foot wound can be life-changing and may have a permanent impact on your mobility and your life.
The foot doctors at Alliance Foot & Ankle Specialists are passionate about keeping your feet healthy. When you’re in pain from a foot wound, we encourage you to contact the skilled podiatrists on our team, Dr. Richard A. Nichols and Dr. Joseph Harvey. Whether you have a minor or serious wound, we can help you manage the pain and get you back on your feet.