Your feet are some of the hardest working parts of our body every day and are responsible for moving us through our day. However, there are several hazards that can affect your foot safety in the workplace. If you hurt your foot at work or are suffering from foot pain and don’t know the cause, it’s time to visit a foot specialist, like the podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Illinois. Whether you suffered a sudden, traumatic injury, or you are living with feet pain due to standing or walking at your workplace, you don’t have to live with foot pain. If you are wondering “what should I do if I hurt my foot at work?” then it’s time to make an appointment at the Foot & Ankle Specialists of Illinois.
What Should I Do If I Hurt My Foot at Work?
Feet are extremely vulnerable to injuries at work. Foot-related injuries are some of the most common types of injuries suffered in the workplace. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more than 53,000 work-related foot injuries in America every year. If you hurt your foot at work, it’s time to seek medical attention from a foot and ankle expert. Foot & Ankle Specialists of Illinois treat work-related foot and ankle injuries every day. We can help you relieve the pain associated with your foot injury and get you back to work without pain in no time.
Types of Work-Related Foot Injuries
Two common types of foot injuries occur in the workplace. The first is a job injury that is caused by repetitive motion. Many workers don’t realize that walking, or even standing all day, can lead to a long-term injury to their feet. Instead of seeking people, too many people live with the pain instead of seeking medical attention.
The second type of common foot injury is a sudden accident that results in an injured foot. It is usually more obvious that it is time to seek treatment for these types of injuries.
What to Do If Your Feet Hurt Because of Work
If your feet hurt due to an injury you suffered at work, there are several reasons it might be time to schedule an appointment:
Suffering from a Traumatic Work Injury
A work injury that causes an immediate foot problem, or makes it difficult to walk or stand without pain, requires medical attention. A broken bone in your foot is a frequent example of a work injury. If you have suffered a broken bone, it’s important to seek treatment right away to ensure that the bone heals correctly.
Pain Has Been Getting Worse Over Time
It might be normal to experience sore feet and some minor foot pain after standing or walking around all day. However, if the pain is increasing, persistent, or affecting your day-to-day activities or ability to perform your job, it’s time to schedule an appointment. A foot specialist can help you determine if there is a foot injury or condition that requires treatment.
Visible Sores, Cuts, Lesions, and/or Other Abnormalities on Your Feet
If you have obvious injuries or abnormalities on your feet, it’s time to see a medical expert. Many people suffering from these types of conditions try to treat them on their own at home, only to see them spread and the infection grow. This can lead to long-term problems and even a loss of mobility. Particularly if you are a diabetic, it is important to visit a doctor right away to treat any sores, cuts, or lesions.
Common Foot Work-Related Injuries
These are a few of the most common ways you might hurt your foot at work.
Sprained Foot
A foot sprain happens when you stretch or tear the ligaments around your foot. Ligaments are the tough tissues that connect bones. A sprain might happen at work if you fall, run, or hit your toe against something.
Broken Foot
If you work around heavy equipment, a crushing injury to your feet that can result in a broken bone is a serious risk.
Plantar Fasciitis
One of the most common causes of foot pain in the United States is plantar fasciitis. About two million people in the U.S. will suffer from plantar fasciitis in their lifetimes. If you spend a lot of your workday standing, walking, running, or generally on your feet, you are at an increased risk of developing plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis pain typically occurs in the bottom of the heel, the arch, or both areas. Luckily, because plantar fasciitis is so common, we see it all the time and there are plenty of plantar fasciitis treatments available.
Bunions
Bunions are another common work-related foot injury. A bunion is a painful swelling or bony protrusion at the inner base of your big toe. A bunion happens when the first toe becomes misaligned. While bunions can be hereditary, they can also happen as a result of standing for long periods of time in your workplace in unsupportive or ill-fitting footwear. If you don’t seek treatment for bunions, they can get worse with time and also cause difficulty with walking and standing. We offer both surgical and non-surgical treatment for bunions.
How a Foot Pain Chart Can Help
If you are unsure of what exactly is causing your foot pain, a foot pain chart (also often called a foot pain diagram) can help you determine the cause. There are so many different bones, muscles, tendons, nerves, and ligaments in our feet, all of which have slightly different foot pain symptoms. A foot pain chart helps you identify not only where your pain is occurring, but also the cause, symptom, diagnosis, and treatment options for your pain.
If You Hurt Your Foot at Work, Come See the Experts
You work hard, and so do your feet. If you hurt your foot at work and you live in the area, it’s time to schedule an appointment at the Foot & Ankle Specialists of Illinois. We specialize in treating work-related foot injuries for our patients in Algonquin, Cary, and Huntley. Make an appointment today!
