If you are suffering from any problem associated with a sprained ankle or lower legs, a podiatrist can treat it. They are also certified to perform surgery and can help manage short-term issues and chronic conditions. So, let’s learn about the common foot conditions a foot doctor treats at the podiatry clinic.
How does a podiatrist treat your foot?
You are examined and diagnosed at the Feet First foot clinic, and the issues associated with your ankle and lower legs are treated. The medical specialists involved are podiatrists, physicians, or surgeons.
Podiatrists diagnose the health condition of feet and recommend medicine. If necessary, they can also perform surgery or prescribe medical devices, such as braces, casts, or shoe inserts. They also prescribe mobility aid devices, such as walkers, based on the patient’s condition.
Common conditions treated by foot doctor
The common conditions that a podiatrist treats are:
- Ingrown toenails – In this condition, the corners of the two nails grow and penetrate the skin. This generally happens when you cut your toenail by tampering around the corners.
- Corns and calluses – When there is repeated friction, rubbing, or pressure on the skin, Corns and calluses develop in your feet and appear to harden the skin area.
- Bunions – When you put extra pressure on your big toe, it gets pushed out from the natural alignment and bends towards other toes, resulting in a Bunion. You would notice a bump at the base of the big toe.
- Foot and ankle arthritis – It can develop after a joint goes through an injury. The two common symptoms are stiffness and swelling.
- Foot and toe ulcer—Any kind of wound in the foot and toe skin can become infected and cause an ulcer if left untreated for a long time. An ulcer is an open wound that does not heal but keeps returning.
- Plantar fasciitis—It is caused when there is overuse or too much pressure on the foot. The Plantar fasciitis gets inflamed, causing heel pain.
- Ankle injury – Any kind of pain in the ankle or discomfort due to injury, arthritis, normal wear and tear, or stiffness is felt around the ankle, along with inflammation.
- Podiatrists also treat foot and ankle injuries, a skin condition that affects the feet and toenails, fractures, leg bones, and swelling of the lower extremities.
Diabetes-related foot conditions
Podiatrists can also treat diabetes-related food conditions, as people with diabetes are likely to develop sores and infections. Also, there can be signs of diabetes-related neuropathic. A podiatrist can manage the blood glucose level and get your toe cured, and if they find any blister or ulcer associated with diabetes, they would order a test to get a deeper picture of the skin. Samples are taken to test discharge and infection, based on which treatment is done.
Summing it up
When you suffer from pain, discolouration or redness, swelling in the ankle, sudden warmth or heat in your legs, or new growth or bumps on the skin in your lower legs, you must visit a Podiatrist. Self-diagnosis or over-the-counter treatment can worsen the conditions and make them life-threatening.
