One of the most common questions we receive is “how long do different foot injuries last?” If you’re wondering how long it will take for your foot injury to heal completely, remember that it all depends on the kind of damage you’ve procured, its severity, and how careful you are during the healing process.
Common Food Injuries and General Healing Times
Stress Fractures. When your foot endures repetitive force such as repeated jumping or long-distance running, tiny cracks in the bone begin to form. Athletes, dancers, and military personal are most at risk for stress fractures. If you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis, you are also much more likely to sustain a stress fracture.
Resting and avoiding activities that put pressure on the injured foot encourage healing and lessen the likelihood of reinjury. Stress fractures usually take around 6 to 8 weeks to heal when cared for appropriately.
Achilles Tendonitis. When the Achilles tendon is overused, it can thicken and become swollen and painful. Runners who increase the intensity of their runs abruptly are susceptible to Achilles tendonitis. It is also common in people who play basketball or tennis periodically.
After 4 to 6 weeks of proper rest and self-care under your doctor’s supervision, your Achilles tendon should be back to normal. It’s important to be careful not to push yourself as it could cause tears in the tendon that would then need surgical repair.
Plantar Fasciitis. The most common cause of heel pain is plantar fasciitis. It is caused by inflammation of the fascia tissue that connects your toes to the heel on your foot’s bottom. Those most at risk for this painful condition include those who are overweight, participate in high-impact sports, or spend a lot of time standing or walking on hard surfaces.
With proper care, plantar fasciitis can heal on its own within six months. More severe cases can last up to 18 months.
Sesamoiditis. Sesamoids in our feet are the two pea-shaped bones embedded in a tendon beneath the big toe’s joint. They help move the big toe and give it leverage to push off the ground when walking, running, or jumping. Those who engage in activities that require increased pressure on the ball of the foot are at risk for sesamoiditis or chronic inflammation of the sesamoids.
It can take up to 6 months to heal from a sesamoid injury.
Neuromas. A neuroma is often referred to as a pinched nerve or a nerve tumor found between the third and fourth toes. It causes pain and numbness on the ball of the foot and between the toes. Having a flat foot or a high arch can lead to a neuroma, as can trauma and stress caused by activities or improper footwear.
Wearing supportive footwear and resting the foot can help your foot heal in as little as three weeks. Some serious cases require surgery and recovery time for the wound lasts anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks.
Get Help
If you’ve recently experienced a foot injury, the key to a quick recovery is receiving a proper diagnosis from a professional. The staff at Canyon Oak Podiatry will give you the care and advice you need to heal quickly and get back on your feet in no time.
