Diagnose foot pain is the best method to know what is causing the pain in either or both extremities. The most common sign of foot pain is a discomfort felt in any one or more parts of the foot. Foot pain can affect every person whether you are an adult of a child and it can be very devastating, no matter what the cause is.
If hot and cold compresses, rest and over the counter pain reliever do not help in a short period of time, you should seek medical attention. If not given attention it may lead to severe complications such as arthritis. To diagnose foot pain is too seek medical attention. A foot specialist or a doctor will be able to help you and tell you what the problem is.
You should expect your medical doctor to ask you about the kinds of shoes you put on and what physical activity you engage in that might have resulted in the foot pain. If the doctor is unable to detect your condition by touch, medical science has equipped the intrepid doctor with several apparatus that might just do the job.
- X-rays are medical tools that are used to diagnose foot pain. The x-rays are used to take a picture inside your foot using low doses of radiation. While studies shows that too much exposure to x-rays have proven to be harmful, getting an x ray once in a while won’t hurt. The x-ray can tell the doctor if there are fissures, fracture and small breaks that could be causing your foot pain.
- Another tool for diagnosing foot pain is the MRI machines or magnetic resonance imaging, is the same way as the x-ray. The MRI machines uses magnets to make pictures and images on a computer screen. The doctor can tell if there are any problems with the soft tissue and bones inside the foot. It can also help identify tiny fractures that might not be clear on the x-ray.
If the doctor diagnose that it is arthritis, he can request a synovial fluid analysis. The doctor will take fluid samples from your joints and test them to see if the surrounding joint is arthritic. Diagnose foot pain is extremely important to ensure that you are have the correct treatment for the condition.