When To Consult A Podiatrist
by Ida Carroll
Podiatrists are professionals who specialise in problems affecting the feet or lower legs. Podiatrists are involved in setting fractured bones, providing joint injections and using orthotic devices to relieve foot pain. These specialists also perform surgical procedures to set broken bones, treat inflamed ligaments and remove tumours and bunions. Here are some of the common foot pain conditions that are handled by a podiatrist.
Bunions
These are abnormalities in the feet that result in a bump forming on the toe joint. The bump causes the big toe to turn inward. This condition is common in women because of the increased pressure caused by their narrow footwear.
The leading causes of bunions are wearing narrow or tight shoes. Tight shoes exert pressure on your metatarsophalangeal joint, where the bone of your big toe and the bone of your foot meet. Conditions like polio and rheumatoid arthritis can increase your chances of having a bunion. You also have a high risk of developing bunions if a person in your family has the condition.
Diabetes-Related Foot Injuries
Diabetes is a condition where your body does not synthesize insulin or doesn't use it appropriately. Insulin is essential for the digestion of sugar. Diabetes can damage the nerves in your legs or feet. As a result, you might experience problems delivering sufficient blood to your feet.
Diabetes can cause severe complications for foot injuries. One of the most common foot conditions caused by diabetes is diabetic neuropathy, also known as tingling or pain in the feet. Also, if you notice a callus or sore on your foot, you should consult a podiatrist for immediate attention.
Open Foot Wounds
Blisters and any other forms of open foot wounds are painful and need to be addressed seriously. Foot wounds can quickly develop an infection because of the amount of pressure placed on your feet when walking or standing and because of the number of bacteria on your feet. It's common for people with poor blood circulation to experience non-healing wounds.
You need to see a podiatrist if you have a foot wound that's painful and oozing pus. Most of these minor foot injuries result in complications that require surgery or an amputation of the foot. If the wound on your foot isn't healing or is getting worse even after performing basic first aid, you need to have it checked by a specialist.
Endnote
Podiatrists treat a wide range of foot injuries, including bunions, diabetes-related foot injuries and open foot wounds. It's recommended that you consult a foot pain specialist when you have problems with your feet; don't wait until the last minute to visit a doctor. If you have recently injured your foot or have swelling on your foot, numbness or tingling in the foot, consult a podiatrist.
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About Me
If you are like me, you have probably been in embarrassed in the past about having thick, yellow or otherwise unsightly toenails. You may have even suffered pain from your toenails. Those statements used to describe me, but with the help of my family and podiatrist, my toenails have returned to a strong, clear and beautiful state. The journey wasn't always easy, and it forced me to ask a lot of questions and do a lot of research. As a result, I learned everything you can find in these blog posts. I see other people with painful looking toenails on the street, and I want to help them with some pointers, but walking up to strangers – however well intentioned – is a bit beyond my comfort levels so I decided to create this blog. I hope it helps and entertains you!