Taking care of your feet is important in overall health, comfort, and in being able to simply get around without experiencing pain. Even simple issues such as fungal infections, ingrown toenails, and skin conditions on the feet can cause a problem. This is when you need to see a specialist in podiatry to treat the condition and learn to prevent further issues.
A doctor specializing in podiatry is a fully licensed medical doctor who also has extensive training in injuries, diseases, and conditions of the foot, ankle, and the lower legs. A podiatrist will typically work with patients of all ages from infants through to seniors to address both injuries and structural problems of the foot.
The Foot Connection
A doctor of podiatry will be very quick to point out how gait problems, and problems with the alignment of the foot and ankle, can impact movement throughout the body. It isn’t uncommon for knee, hip, and even lower back pain to be related to a structural problem in the ankle that is creating an imbalance in the gait.
By seeing a podiatrist and correcting the foot problems, or changing the gait or biomechanical aspects of movement, the other pain can be easily treated. Of course, pain in the foot caused by other issues also impacts overall health and quality of life, making podiatry a very important consideration.
Correcting Problems
For many patients, the practice of podiatry doesn’t include any type of surgical procedures. Custom made orthotics, learning how to care correctly for your feet, and even using splints or support braces to correct problems can often eliminate the need for surgery.
A podiatrist can also address issues caused by incorrect shoe choices such as bunions, hammer toe and corns and calluses. In many of these cases, surgery may be required, but it will lead to better overall foot health and no pain after recovery.
The study of podiatry also includes the surgical or non-surgical repair of broken bones in the foot or ankle, addressing chronic ankle weakness and managing conditions such as heel spurs and plantar fasciitis.
For diabetics and people with musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis and other degenerative diseases, podiatry can be a proactive approach to health. With regular visits, the specialist can monitor the condition of the feet, starting therapy or providing preventative options to help to maintain the feet in the best possible condition given the concurrent health issues the patient is facing.
