Preventive Foot and Ankle Screenings

What You Need To Know

A quick look at what preventive foot screenings cover and why they matter.

General Foot Care and Preventive Screenings

Preventive foot and ankle screenings are routine evaluations designed to identify problems before they cause pain, limit your activity, or lead to more serious complications. Small changes in skin, nails, circulation, sensation, or alignment can be early signals of a condition that is easier to treat when caught early.

A general foot care visit typically includes a review of your medical history, a hands-on exam of the skin, nails, and soft tissues, an assessment of joint motion and gait, and a check of circulation and nerve sensation. If you have diabetes, arthritis, circulation concerns, or a family history of foot problems, these screenings are especially important.

Common signs that suggest you should schedule a screening include persistent foot or ankle pain, numbness or tingling, thickened or discolored nails, recurring calluses, swelling, stiffness, or difficulty walking comfortably. Contractures and stiffness, for example, can develop from prolonged immobilization, burns, crush or avulsion injuries, or following replantation, and often involve multiple structures including the soft tissues, tendons, ligaments, joints, and bones.

At University Foot and Ankle Institute, our physicians use these visits to build a clear picture of your foot health and recommend next steps if treatment is needed. If it has been a while since your last exam, scheduling a screening is a straightforward way to stay ahead of problems.

Managing Foot Pain Without Opioids

Preventive care also includes helping patients manage pain in ways that do not rely on opioid medications. One in five Americans experience some sort of chronic pain, and if you started taking prescription opioids for foot or ankle pain, you will need new relief options if and when you cut back or stop.

Several non-opioid treatments may be available in the office. Acupuncture involves inserting extremely fine needles into the skin at specific points and may relieve pain by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkilling chemicals. Biofeedback helps people take control of their own body responses, including pain. Corticosteroid injections, used occasionally, can relieve pain and inflammation caused by arthritis, sciatica, and other conditions.

Supportive options include physical therapy to restore or maintain your ability to move and walk, occupational therapy for daily activities like dressing and bathing, and therapeutic massage. Assistive devices such as splints, braces, canes, crutches, walkers, and shoe orthotics can support painful joints and relieve pressure on irritated nerves.

Technology-based therapies include TENS, iontophoresis, ultrasound, and cold laser therapy, which is FDA-approved to treat pain conditions and may reduce inflammation and stimulate tissue repair. During a preventive visit, your provider can review which options may fit your situation and help build a plan that keeps you comfortable and active.