7 Reasons To Consult A Podiatrist
4 min read
Foot, ankle and leg problems can drastically affect a person’s daily life and in some cases, their whole life. These problems could occur due to severe medical conditions like arthritis or diabetes, but also because of overuse or poorly fitting shoes, which leads to temporary, acute pain.
When it comes to seeking help for foot and leg problems, there are a few different health professions that may be able to help. However, each of these professions has both unique and overlapping areas of expertise, which makes it pretty difficult to figure out where to start. One such health profession is a podiatrist. Who are the experts in curing problems related to legs and ankles? If you are suffering from these kinds of issues, then you can consult a podiatrist in Houston, Texas.
Who is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) who is particularly trained to treat issues in the foot, ankle, and lower leg. They can correct your limb and make it work as the way it should, reduce pain, and speed healing after an injury or surgery.
Basically, they treat problems with a patient’s foot or lower leg. They can set fractures, write prescriptions, recommend physical therapy, and do surgery as well. Not to mention, they can assist other doctors or specialists in treating a health issue.
There are many reasons to consult a podiatrist, which include:
1. If You Feel Pain in your Feet or Ankle.
One of the most common problems affecting people in the United States is arthritis. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 23% of adults, over 54 million people in the United States, have arthritis. About 24 million adults are limited in their activities because of arthritis. Arthritis can lead to pains in your feet and joints. More than one in four adults reports having severe pain resulting from arthritis.
In this condition, feet could get swollen, stiff, tender, or you may find it difficult to walk. It could lead to disability if not managed timely and properly. So, if you are also suffering from arthritis, then a podiatrist is the right medical provider you should seek. Because a podiatrist will help you to manage and treat the conditions affecting the foot, bones, and joints properly.
2. If You Feel Heel Pain Persistently, and if it is Limiting your Daily Activities
Many people experience heel pain that may result from various activities or conditions. One may feel constant heel pain, if they have heel spurs or if any of the tendons that connect their heels gets inflamed. Besides, the pain can be very uncomfortable. But early treatment is encouraged to prevent the condition from getting worse. So, if you also have heel pain, you should see a podiatrist as soon as possible. Because a podiatrist can properly manage and treat your heel pain to make sure that you get long-lasting relief.
3. If you have Ingrown Toenails that is Painful and Limits your Daily Activities
Ingrown toenails are a condition where the side of your nails grows into the nearby skin. This type of condition can be painful and pretty uncomfortable. In this case, you may not be able to wear your shoes or walk perfectly due to an ingrown toenail. If not treated on a timely basis, ingrown toenails can become infected. A podiatrist is a medical professional, who holds expertise in managing and treating ingrown toenails. You should visit a podiatrist as soon as possible if you have ingrown toenails for the best treatment.
4. If you have Diabetes
As mentioned above, according to a report from the Center for disease control and prevention, more than 100 million adults in the United States are living with diabetes. An estimated 415 million people in the world live with diabetes. Diabetes is a serious disease that can cause various medical conditions such as heart attack, stroke, nerve damage, kidney damage, and more. Not to mention, diabetes can make you prone to serious foot problems, and it also leads to non-healing wounds that may lead to severe infections. If you have diabetes or any kind of non-healing wound, you should immediately see a podiatrist for treatment. Because the diabetic patient with a non-healing wound is at risk of lower extremity amputation. Hence, make sure you visit a podiatrist on time if you are a diabetic patient.
5. If you have aPainful Hammertoe
First, what is a hammertoe? A hammertoe occurs due to an imbalance in the tendons, ligaments, or muscles that usually holds the toe. Therefore, the affected toe may be painful and difficult to move. You should consult a podiatrist if you have a hammertoe for proper treatment. A podiatrist may recommend shoe inserts or pads. If your case is a severe one, you may have to undergo a surgical procedure such as arthroplasty to remedy the affected toe. A podiatrist is the best surgeon you should seek for this procedure.
So, it is better to consult a podiatrist as soon as you can.
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