Acute Inflammation
What Is
Acute Inflammation?
Inflammation is the body’s normal protective response to an injury,
irritation, or surgery. This natural “defense” process brings increased blood
flow to the area, resulting in an accumulation of fluid. As the body mounts
this protective response, the symptoms of inflammation develop. These include:
- Swelling
- Pain
- Increased
warmth and redness of the skin
Inflammation can be acute or chronic. When it is acute, it
occurs as an immediate response to trauma (an injury or surgery), usually
within two hours. When it is chronic, the inflammation reflects an ongoing
response to a longer-term medical condition, such as arthritis.
Although inflammation can be caused by an infection, they
are not the same and are treated differently. Your foot and ankle surgeon can
best determine the cause of your inflamed tissue.
Treatment
To reduce inflammation and the resulting swelling and pain, injured tissue
needs to be properly treated. The earlier you start treatment, the better.
Initial treatment for acute inflammation in the foot or
ankle consists of RICE therapy:
- Rest:
Stay off the foot or ankle. Walking may cause further injury.
- Ice:
Apply an ice pack to the injured area, placing a thin towel between the
ice and the skin. Use ice for 20 minutes and then wait at least 40 minutes
before icing again.
- Compression:
An elastic wrap should be used to control swelling.
- Elevation:
The foot or ankle should be raised slightly above the level of your heart
to reduce swelling.
Elevate
the Leg Properly
![Acute Inflam2]()
In addition to the above measures, your foot and ankle
surgeon may prescribe a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as
ibuprofen, or another type of medication.
If Pain Persists
or Becomes Worse
The symptoms of inflammation typically improve within two or three days. If
your pain and discomfort do not improve after three days, call your doctor or
go to an emergency room to determine whether a more serious problem exists.
As with any medical problem, it’s important that you follow
your doctor’s instructions carefully regarding your injury or postoperative
care.
Information provided by The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons