You may benefit from seeing a podiatrist if you suffer heel or ankle pain. Your doctor can perform a thorough evaluation and prescribe a more effective treatment. Sometimes, your doctor will recommend surgery or extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Fortunately, there are many methods for treating your foot pain. Listed below are some of the most common treatments.
Arthritis: As with any disease, underlying factors contribute to foot pain. Osteoarthritis, for example, is caused by a gradual breakdown of cartilage in a joint. This causes pain and can affect the patient’s quality of life. A podiatrist can help mitigate the pain and restore foot function. However, they cannot cure arthritis entirely.
Diabetic Foot Problems: People with diabetes are more prone to foot problems than others. It’s recommended that people with diabetes visit a podiatrist at least once a year for an exam. A good podiatrist can prevent painful and life-threatening complications from occurring. Diabetes can also lead to infected nails. Seeing a podiatrist may even reduce your risk of needing amputation.
Hammertoes: If you’ve had a wart on your foot, a podiatrist can identify it and help you heal. Inflammation of the long band connecting the ball of your foot and heel is called plantar fasciitis. The causes of plantar fasciitis include overstretching of the plantar fascia and muscle in the back of the leg. RICE treatment may relieve heel pain.
A Podiatrist can diagnose and treat your foot and ankle problems. A bunion is a bony bump outside your big toe that can become increasingly painful as it grows. Your podiatrist can use an x-ray to diagnose the cause of your bunion and recommend the appropriate treatment option. Corns, on the other hand, are thick patches of dead skin on your foot that can be painful. A podiatrist will remove these hardened skin patches and help you avoid painful corns.
Your podiatrist will ask about your medical history, medications, or surgeries and examine your feet. He will look for any signs of infection or deformity and may recommend X-rays for further inspection. He will also ask you to walk so that he can evaluate your gait. After the examination, your podiatrist will prescribe a treatment plan based on your needs and preferences.
Your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure if you suffer from chronic foot problems. Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan to relieve your foot pain and improve your quality of life. Your podiatrist may recommend a diet or exercise modification depending on your foot condition. Further, he may prescribe a treatment that may involve medication or an orthotic prescription.
