People are encouraged to see their doctors on a regular basis for general health and wellness checkups. However, there may be some cases in which your regular doctor can't help you sufficiently. This is particularly true when it comes to the feet and ankles. If you are experiencing persistent or sudden issues in these areas, it may be time to see a specialist. Podiatrists can help with a variety of issues related to these parts of the body and often have the ability to diagnose related conditions and help you in a range of ways.
Peripheral Neuropathy
If you're getting strange feelings in your feet or experiencing a lack of feeling in this area, you may have developed peripheral neuropathy. This condition results from damage to the nerves and could potentially be serious, especially if the cause behind it is not discovered and addressed. Be on the lookout for signs like pain, tingling, weakness, and swelling of the feet.
A podiatrist can conduct testing to determine if you have this condition and to help you uncover its underlying cause, such as diabetes or a past sports injury. Because the condition may progress if left untreated, you should definitely see a specialist as soon as possible if you are experiencing any symptoms.
Bunions
Bunions are a very common problem with the feet; one that many people don't take as seriously as they should. This is unfortunate because bunions, which are bumps that develop at the bottom of the largest toe, can actually be quite debilitating. They could potentially lead to corns, which can be painful, and they may start to negatively impact the other toes. If this happens, the entire foot can be affected. A podiatrist can help you to determine the cause of your bunion and may suggest surgery to remove it if it is serious enough. Even if it's not, they can suggest steps to make the bunion less painful and to keep it from worsening.
Sprains
Like bunions, sprains of the foot and ankle are common conditions that often don't get the medical attention they truly need. They occur when the ligaments are stretched or torn and can be quite painful.
Ideally, you should see a podiatrist after a sprain to diagnose the severity of the sprain and recommend the best treatments. This is especially important if the area has sustained other injuries in the past, if you have extensive bruising, or if you are in a great deal of pain.
Podiatrists can be helpful in a wide array of situations. In general, if you are experiencing any foot or ankle issues and want the very best, most specialized care, seek out the expertise of a podiatrist. This simple decision can ensure that you get the most proactive and beneficial care possible. Look for a foot and ankle specialist in your area.
Share7 January 2022
When I developed tendinitis of my foot and ankle, my podiatrist helped me on the road to recovery. An over-use injury from the job caused me considerable pain in my foot and ankle. Ice, elevation, rest, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory relieved my inflammation of the tendons. My podiatrist also prescribed physical therapy, which helped restore my mobility. Gentle stretching exercises performed during physical therapy seemed to have a positive effect. I was shown how to follow up these exercises at home. After several weeks of following doctor's orders, my podiatrist was happy with the results. The bottom line is if you're suffering from foot pain or injury, you should see a foot specialist as soon as possible because treatment options are available.
