What Is A Podiatrist And What Do They Do?
Podiatrists are qualified and trained experts who specialize in healthcare related to feet, ankles, and related body structures. They undergo extensive training and exams before becoming certified or fully licensed professionals. Even after that, they require certification from the American Board of Podiatric Surgery to be able to provide surgical treatments for foot deformities and other severe trauma.
What they do is treat a wide range of foot conditions, the most common of which include:
- Diabetic foot conditions like nerve damage (neuropathy), infections, wounds, and ulcers.
- Bone and joint deformities like bunions, hammertoes, claw feet, flatfeet, and pronation issues.
- Injuries such as sprains, fractures, and shin splints.
- Skin-related issues like infections, rashes, discoloration, blisters, corns and more.
- Nail conditions like toenail infections, ingrown toenails, etc.
- Pain management for Achilles tendonitis (inflammation of the band that connects your leg to your feet) or Plantar Fasciitis that results in heel pain.
- Management techniques to deal with arthritis, inflammation, edema or swelling and more.
When should you visit a podiatrist?
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your feet, which may be compromising your everyday lifestyle by hindering your motions or mobility, you should consult a podiatrist right away. Even if your life is not being affected too harshly, it is important to understand the causes of your condition so that you take effective measures to mitigate your symptoms. Podiatrists also provide guidance related to healthy weight management routines, as excessive weight exposes your feet to various problems.
If you have diabetes, you should visit your podiatrist more regularly. Regular examination and treatment can prevent issues like infections, wounds and chronic ulcers. Nerve damage can result in a lack of sensation, which could lead to a situation where you are unaware of a possible cut, injury or blister. Poor blood circulation slows down the healing process, leaving it exposed to infections.
What is the first visit usually like and what follows that?
Your podiatrist will go through your medical history and inquire about what foot conditions you are encountering. It is important to share the length of your symptoms and the frequency at which they occur.
After the initial inquiry, the doctor will examine your feet thoroughly to see if there is any underlying condition affecting your feet. The examination can include a physical survey of your foot’s motions, gait evaluation, imaging tests and identifying any visible signs of infections, corns, blisters, etc.
After going through your results, your doctor will diagnose the condition and lay out possible treatments, which could range from a change in diet, prescribing medicines, exercises to improve foot health, therapies for advanced conditions, using orthotic inserts to improve your stability and, in extreme cases, any corrective surgical procedures required. The foot experts at Desert Podiatric Medical Specialists in the Tucson, Oro Valley, and Green Valley areas of Pima County, Arizona, have unparalleled experience treating all aspects of foot and ankle care. If you have any questions or want to make an appointment, please call (520) 575-0800.
