9 Reasons You May Want an Appointment With a Foot Doctor

Chronic medical conditions such as diabetes or arthritis can cause foot and ankle problems, but even commonplace factors such as overuse or inappropriate footwear can cause pain in your feet. A podiatrist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ailments and injuries involving the foot and ankles. Podiatrists provide a wide range of medical treatments for foot and ankle problems. They do surgery as well as diagnose and treat patients using conservative methods. The following are ten reasons to consult a podiatrist:

1. You have diabetes Diabetes greatly increases your risk of developing foot disorders. Diabetes raises the likelihood of getting ulcers and lesions that can become infected and can even result in loss of sensation in your feet. An experienced foot doctor should examine your feet at least once yearly if you have diabetes. Studies show that visiting a podiatrist regularly greatly reduces the risk of amputation due to diabetes complications.

2. You struggle with heel pain
Heel pain can have a multitude of causes. You can have a heel spur, which is a bony protrusion on the heel. On the other hand, the heel's connecting tendon could be irritated. Consult a podiatrist for a diagnosis if your heel pain lasts too long. Making an accurate diagnosis is the fundamental step in creating a proper treatment strategy.

3. You have ingrown toenails 
An infection might develop if one of your toenails becomes ingrown. This usually happens on big toes. A foot doctor can treat your toe if it is extremely red or starts to release pus. A portion of the nail may occasionally need to be removed. If the area is infected, your doctor may recommend antibiotics and may also suggest ways to stop an ingrown nail from recurring.

4. You’ve started running for exercise 
Foot or ankle injuries or conditions are quite prevalent among those who are physically active. More specifically, shin splints and associated aches and pains are particularly common in runners. A podiatrist can examine your feet to identify any possible issues and offer preventative measures. Additionally, they can suggest the appropriate shoes for your foot type.

5. You have painful symptoms in your feet or ankles 
The disease known as arthritis has an impact on the long-term health and functionality of joints. Your feet may have swollen, red, stiff, or sore joints due to arthritis. Disability can also result from arthritis, which can alter how the feet function. A podiatrist can recommend treatment options that can maintain joint health and increase your ability to perform regular tasks.

6. You think you might have injured your foot or ankle 
Sprains, strains, and fractured bones in the foot or ankle are among the conditions that podiatrists are skilled at treating. They can identify your injury and provide effective treatments. Visit a podiatrist if you have swelling, difficulty walking, redness, or worsening pain due to an injury.

7. You require foot surgery 
Surgery is typically the last line of treatment recommended by a podiatrist. Bunions, hammertoes, recurring ingrown toenails, and fractured bones are some of the conditions that may necessitate a minimally invasive foot surgery.

8. You keep getting bothersome corns or calluses 
Some of the most frequent reasons patients visit foot doctors are corn and calluses. These built-up skin regions can hurt like walking on fire. Your doctor will usually use a surgical blade to reduce them in size. To help you avoid corns and calluses in the future, a podiatrist may advise wearing shoes that are appropriately sized, as well as padding and using skin softener.

9. You have a bunion that hurts 
A bump at the base of the big toe is known as a bunion. This problem happens when the big toe's bones or joints have shifted and are now misaligned. If bunions are not treated, they often worsen. Treatment options from a podiatrist may include padding, taping, or medications. In serious situations, surgery is another possibility.