After a foot injury, most people instinctively remove their shoe to check for swelling or injury. But dancer Shakti Mohan recently suggested doing the opposite — leaving the shoe on until a doctor can examine the foot. Or else, she says it’ll blow up.Speaking on the Bharti TV podcast on YouTube, Mohan said that people should avoid moving around after a foot injury and should not immediately remove their footwear.“Best to hai you have to rest immediately. Usi time pe hilo dilo nahi. Agar pair me lag gayi hai to joota ek dum se mat nikal do… Keep your shoe intact … warna kholte hi pair foolne lag jayega,” she said, adding that the footwear could be removed once the person reaches a doctor.“It is best to rest immediately. Don’t remove the shoe immediately if you have a foot injury. Otherwise, when you go to the doctor and remove the shoe, it’ll blow up.DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.But does removing a shoe actually make an injured foot swell dangerously? If a shoe is removed carelessly after injury, it can increase pain, disturb a fracture, or aggravate soft tissue injuries (Ai generated image)“In most cases, it is advisable to keep the shoes on until a medical professional assesses the injury, especially if there is severe pain, swelling, deformity, or a suspected fracture,” Dr Vivek Mahajan, Chief of Joint Replacement and HOD – Orthopaedics, ISIC Multispeciality Hospital, confirms.However, he clarifies that there is no medical basis to the idea that the foot will “burst” if the shoe is removed.Story continues below this adThat being said, swelling can develop quickly after an injury, and unnecessarily moving or manipulating the foot can make the pain or injury worse.“Shoes can sometimes provide temporary support and help limit movement of the injured foot. Removing them incorrectly may cause additional pain or worsen the injury,” Dr Mahajan says.However, this does not mean you should keep a shoe on at all costs. If it is extremely tight, affecting circulation or causing severe discomfort, it may need to be removed carefully.The important thing, says Dr Mahajan, is to avoid unnecessary movement of the injured foot and get medical help promptly.Story continues below this adCan the foot suddenly “burst” after removing shoe?“No, there is no medical truth to the belief that a foot will ‘burst’ if a shoe is removed after an injury. However, the concern likely comes from the fact that swelling often develops rapidly after trauma,” Dr Mahajan notes.If the shoe is removed roughly or the foot is moved repeatedly while doing so, it can increase pain and potentially aggravate a fracture or soft-tissue injury.“In some situations, once swelling develops, putting the shoe back on may become difficult.”So, the concern is not that removing the shoe will make the foot “burst”. It is that unnecessary handling of an injured foot can make things worse.What should you do immediately after a foot injury? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bharti TV Show (@the_bhartitv.show) The first thing to do is stop walking on the injured foot.Dr Mahajan recommends:Story continues below this adRest the foot and avoid unnecessary movement.Elevate it, if possible, to help control swelling.Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for 15–20 minutes at a time.Cover any open wound with a clean dressing.Do not try to straighten a foot that looks deformed.Get medical attention if the injury is severe or you suspect a fractureAnd there are a few things you should avoid.Do not try to “walk it off”. Continuing to put weight on a painful foot can worsen a fracture or ligament injury.Do not massage the injured area immediately. Massage can increase bleeding and swelling after acute trauma.Avoid heat in the first 24–48 hours. It can increase inflammation and swelling.Also Read | What to do after a monkey bite: First aid, rabies risk, and expert adviceWhen should a foot injury be checked by a doctor?Some injuries may look minor initially but can still involve a fracture or significant soft-tissue damage. Seek medical attention promptly if there is:Severe painSignificant swelling or bruisingInability to bear weightVisible deformityNumbness or loss of sensationAn open wound or significant bleedingA foot that becomes pale, blue, or unusually coldA suspected fractureAn injury caused by a high-impact accidentChanges in the foot’s colour or temperature can indicate a circulation problem and need urgent medical attention.So, after a serious foot injury, the safest approach is simple: stop walking, minimise movement, control swelling with ice and get the injury assessed. If the shoe is comfortably in place and is not affecting circulation, there is generally no need to force it off immediately.Story continues below this adDISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.