Your feet successfully escaped getting stepped on by eager Mardi Gras revelers rushing for that Muses shoe medallion bead (a high heel that is awesome but of a style we don’t recommend wearing too often!) or that Rex doubloon, and you kept your toes out of the paths of the wheels on all nine parts of Endymion’s Pontchartrain Beach float.
But will your feet escape high-speed cabbages and potatoes?
The St. Patrick’s parades are here, and foot injuries can too often mar what are otherwise wonderful events. New Orleans Podiatry Associates is here to help you fix your feet and get you walking comfortably again.
The most serious foot injuries people may incur at parades are crushed or broken feet and toes. If you have crushed a toe or foot, you have ideally already sought medical treatment at an emergency room.
If you find yourself experiencing pain after the parade but you’re unsure if a bone is broken, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Dr. Lang at NOPA will X-ray your foot and then determine in consultation with you the best course of treatment. Putting the fracture back into its right place and then splinting or casting the foot, rather than surgery, may be all that is required.
Paradegoers are also often susceptible to twisted ankles. (Watch out for oak roots, potholes, and unexpected drop-offs in the sidewalks and streets as you’re walking to and from the parade routes.) To care for twisted ankles (and other sprains, strains, and fractures), the American Podiatric Medical Association offers the acronym RICE: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Follow these steps to minimize pain and swelling:
- Rest: Stay off of the injured foot as much as possible until you can see us
- Ice: Apply ice to the injured area as soon as possible, and keep it there for 15-20 minute intervals every 3-4 hours for the first 48 hours after the injury
- Compression: Wrap a bandage firmly but not too tightly around the affected area
- Elevation: Rest the affected foot on pillows at an elevation higher than that of your heart
Furthermore, the additional strain on your feet caused by walking and standing for hours at a time can also aggravate bunions and heel pain. Check out our links for detailed information on these conditions.
The best ways to protect your feet at parades are to wear strong shoes and to be mindful of where you step, even amidst all of the excitement to catch goodies. Your feet will thank you.
If your feet are in pain, don’t go green with envy thinking about all those who got their veggies injury-free. Give New Orleans Podiatry Associates a call today, and we can get you back on your feet without missing a beat...or a jig.