Podiatrists, another name for foot specialists, are medical professionals who treat issues with the lower limbs and feet. In addition to other medical conditions like diabetes, they can treat foot injuries and leg difficulties. In this blog, you will explore the conditions, reasons, and treatment.
Are They Doctors?
Podiatrists are doctors, but they don’t go to medical schools like others. They have their own professional associations from where they complete their doctorate studies. A foot doctor has DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) after their name instead of MD (Medical Doctor).
They can do surgeries, treat a broken leg, recommend medicines, and other lab tests or X-rays. They work closely with the other doctors if a patient has any lower leg and foot-related issues.
Conditions a Foot Specialist Treats
They can treat people of any age for many foot-related issues. Such as:
- Fractures and Sprains: They can treat these common injuries of feet and ankles. Sprains caused by the sudden foot twist. They can treat dislocation with different methods like ice, elevation, compression, and rest.
- Bunion and Hammer Toes: These are bone issues in your feet that cause your toe joint to enlarge and bend to the right. One that bends incorrectly is called a hammertoe.
- Nail disorder: Fungi and nail infections might result from the nail’s corner growing into your skin.
- Diabetes: It can lead to major issues, such as inadequate blood flow to the legs and feet, and harm the nerves in those areas.
- Heel pain: Being overweight and wearing shoes that are too small can both contribute to it. The rear of the heel may become painful as a result.
- Arthritis: Inflammation, swelling, and fractured joints can all contribute to this condition.
Reasons to see a Foot Specialist
Your feet do a lot of work and handle a full body weight. Feet are complex structures that have to work perfectly to keep you moving. Here are some reasons:
- Foot Pain
- Discolored and thick nails
- Cuts and Cracks in your skin
- Growth like lumps
- Scaling on peeling on your footsole
- Leg wounds
- Swelling in foot
- Swelling on the lower legs
- Diabetic Foot problem
Diabetes-Related Foot Care
Visiting a podiatrist is an essential part of your diabetes treatment plan. To check for any signs of diabetic foot issues, they might examine your feet. Your podiatrist will ask you about any symptoms you may be experiencing, as well as your glycemic control.
They will check and examine your toes, feet, and legs for any numbness with different tools. If they find any diabetic-related blister or ulcer and any infections such as discoloration, discharge, and swelling, they will ask you to take a sample of your discharge to test for infection.
Conclusion
Many of the most common issues of feet aren’t life-threatening, but they can cause serious infections. Go to the podiatrist before starting any treatment at home. If you try to self-diagnose and start self-treatment, you might make a minor issue more complex.
