Do you have continuous discomfort? Do you think it’s normal? If you said ‘yes’ to any of the answers, you must visit a podiatrist.
If you have constant foot pain because of a sports injury, nail problem, joint pain, you must know that it is not normal. Since prevention is always better than cure, consulting with a podiatrist is always a wise option.
A podiatrist is a medical specialist who treats a range of ankle and foot problems, assess your foot health, so the imbalances don’t cause pain somewhere else in the body, and advises you on the correct shoe type.
If you happen to experience these conditions, make sure you contact a podiatrist:
Never-ending heal pain
Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, fracture, heel spur, bursitis, and sprain in the knee are some common causes of heel pain. That said, if you experience heel pain for the first time, you must take proper rest, but if that pain is severe and never-ending, you must visit a podiatrist at Market Street Clinic. The doctor will perform a physical exam and take an X-ray to determine the cause of the pain. Once they know what’s causing the heel pain, they will be able to suggest a treatment plan.
Diabetes
Diabetic patients are more prone to foot problems due to poor blood circulation and nerve damage. Therefore, if you have diabetes, you must visit a podiatrist for an annual foot exam so that they can analyse your current foot health and help prevent complications.
Ingrown toenail
If you have a relentless pain in your big toe or if you suspect redness or swelling on or around your toe, that could be because of an ingrown toenail.
Many people try to treat this condition on their own, but an ingrown toenail can cause infection if not removed properly. Thus, it is wise to visit a podiatrist for proper treatment.
If your nail has become infected, the doctor will numb the area for removal and prescribe some medications.
Joint pain in ankle or foot
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common cause of joint inflammation in foot or ankle. That said, if you experience swelling in your feet, limitation in motion of the foot, early morning feet stiffness, or recurring tenderness in a joint, you must see a doctor of podiatrist medicine. They can help suggest a treatment plan and help preserve your joint health.
Troublesome corn or callus
The areas of the thickened skin that develop to protect the foot from irritation are called corns or calluses. Although corns and calluses are not infectious, they can sometimes cause pain or discomfort that can affect your daily activities. If such a condition occurs, you must consult with a podiatrist.
They will first perform a physical examination and then proceed with effective treatment methods. They may prescribe medications to alleviate the pain or suggest changing the shoe type. For larger corns or calluses, they may reduce the size using a surgical blade. Other than that, cortisone injections can also be recommended if the pain doesn’t go away.
Athlete’s foot
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that affects the skin of the foot, especially when it is warm, moist and irritated. The common symptoms are itchy, dry skin, inflammation, and flaky skin. Of course, antifungal creams can provide relief. But, if there are no improvements within two weeks, you must book the services of a podiatrist. After determining why the infection is not improving, the doctor will prescribe topical or oral antifungal drugs.
Painful bunion
Do you have a bony bump at the joint where the bottom of your big toe connects your foot? If Yes, then you have a bunion. Over time, bunions swell, turn red, hurt and even feel tender to touch. Although, wearing shoes that don’t crowd your toes can help alleviate the pain. But, if bunions still continue to hurt, you must visit a podiatrist. They can suggest treatments and perform surgery (if necessary).
Strained or broken ankle or foot
Lastly, if you suspect a strain, sprain or a broken ankle or foot, you must see a podiatrist. They will assess the pain points and proceed with the treatment options.
Helen Bradfield did her degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. She has an ongoing interest in mental health and well-being.
