What is a Podiatrist and Why Should You See Them?
Before we understand why someone should see a podiatrist, let’s examine what podiatrists do. Podiatrists are medical practitioners specialising in treating foot, ankle, and lower limb disorders. Podiatrists are sometimes called Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), Podiatric Physicians, or simply Foot Doctors. The last reference isn’t particularly true because their skill extends beyond the foot. By doing x-rays and lab testing, surgeries, prescribing medications and orthotic devices, and much more, these trained doctors assist in deciding the best plan for treating and recovering from any lower extremity medical problems and accidents.
Podiatrists treat a variety of medical ailments, including heel discomfort (plantar fasciitis), diabetic foot difficulties, ankle and foot arthritis, nerve problems, tendonitis, hammertoes, flat feet, nail disorders, bunions, warts, fungus, fractures, and sprains.
Given the amount of trauma our feet endure daily, and given that the human foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 muscles that are engaged daily, it’s not surprising that many individuals suffer from foot and ankle discomfort. Everyone’s best interest is to take good care of their feet and ankles, and podiatrists are trained to do just that.
Consulting a podiatrist while your feet and ankles are still in good shape is the ideal way to avoid paying a significantly higher price later. A podiatrist can help you avoid foot, toe, nail, and lower leg issues by assessing your lifestyle, physical activity habits, and footwear and offering recommendations specifically targeted to your circumstances. Many individuals in pain would pay anything to be rid of their misery, yet most avoid taking the essential precautions to prevent the pain in the first place.
Should You See a Podiatrist?
Do you have persistent foot or ankle pain?
If you replied ‘yes’ to this question, you should consult a podiatrist. Many individuals mistakenly believe that aching feet and ankles are unavoidable side effects of daily living. This is not true because foot and ankle discomfort is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong, whether due to a congenital medical problem, repeated motions at work or during exercise, wearing inappropriate footwear, or an injury. Podiatrists can help you immediately determine the source of your discomfort and prescribe the best treatment strategy to get you back on your feet as soon as possible.
Choosing the Best Shoes
Every foot is unique, and most shoes do not adequately support all of the various ways we use our feet. That is why podiatrists use biomechanical analysis to decide which shoes are best for your feet and ankles. In addition, biomechanical analysis helps podiatrists to comprehend the alignment of your feet with the rest of your lower limbs, including your knees and hips.
Once understood, DPMs can prescribe the appropriate footwear, supportive inserts, or custom orthotics to treat your unique ailment. Correct footwear and custom orthotics are essential for preventing problems, decreasing or resolving symptoms with non-surgical therapies, and ensuring proper healing and speedy recovery following foot or ankle surgery.
