When it comes to overall health, the majority of people will focus on the major organs and systems of our bodies, often neglecting the crucial role our feet play in our well-being. Our feet are the foundation of our body, supporting our weight and quite literally moving us throughout life.
Unfortunately, foot problems are quite common, and they can have a significant impact on our daily lives. This is where a foot specialist, also known as a podiatrist or foot doctor, comes into play. In this blog post, we'll explore six great reasons why you should consider seeing a foot specialist for your foot problem.
6 Reasons Why You Should See A Foot Specialist
1. A foot specialist's education and training prioritizes the foot and ankle
A foot doctor has dedicated at least 7+ years of their education and training on everything related foot and ankle. This includes 4 years of podiatric medical school and 3 years of a podiatric surgery residency.
Some foot doctors even opt for additional training after residency known as a fellowship in certain concentrations like limb salvage, trauma, podopediatrics, or foot and ankle dermatology.
2. A foot specialist can help prevent amputations from diabetes, vascular disease, & other diseases
For people with diabetes, having a foot doctor that you see regularly is vital, and can mean the difference between being able to keep your toes and or foot vs an amputation.
Diabetes can lead to nerve damage, known as neuropathy, and poor blood circulation in the feet, known as Peripheral Arterial Disease, or PAD. All of these things increase the risk of foot infections and slow-healing or chronic wounds.
A foot specialist plays a crucial role in diabetic foot health, providing the patient with regular foot exams to monitor changes to circulation or sensation. Nail or callus care usually is performed during these visits as well, and healthy foot health practices are discussed.
If your foot doctor during any visit sees changes to your feet that are concerning, it can be addressed, and treated before these changes become an ulcer.
If you already have a wound or sore on your foot known as an ulcer, a foot specialist can treat this wound, and monitor its progression while it heals, giving you the best chance of regaining your quality of life.
Timely intervention can prevent complications such as ulcers and amputations, which are unfortunately common among diabetics with neglected foot health.
3. A foot specialist can treat your foot pain
Foot pain is never normal. If you have been experiencing foot pain in your feet or ankles for some time, this can be a sign of an underlying bone, joint, muscle, tendon, or ligament issue.
This could be a symptom of certain conditions including plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, arthritis, fractures, or sprains.
Sometimes foot pain can come from warts, or seed corns that are untreated.
Other times foot pain can be caused by a certain type of nerve damage known as peripheral neuropathy.
A foot specialist can do a thorough examination, including a gait analysis, to find biomechanical problems contributing to discomfort or pain. Labs, X-rays, ultrasounds, or MRI may be ordered as well.
Sometimes certain exercises, shoe recommendations, injections, topical creams, orthotics, prescriptions, and supplements, can be recommended by your podiatrist to help address these issues, improving your overall mobility and quality of life.
If these more conservative options do not work, surgery can be performed.
4. A foot specialist can also treat your ingrown toenails and nail fungus
Ingrown toenails and fungal infections are very common foot problems that can cause major discomfort, pain, and sometimes embarrassment.
Many people try to treat these problems at home, but it's so important to seek professional help from a foot doctor for a correct diagnosis and treatment.
A foot specialist can offer certain solutions, ranging from minor procedures or surgery to medications, making sure that these problems don't become chronic or lead to complications.
5. A foot specialist helps you be proactive about aging
Yes, as we age, our feet do change. And because of this, the risk of developing foot problems increases. Problems like arthritis, hammertoes, toenail thickening, poor circulation, swollen feet, and thinning of the fat pads on the soles can impact the overall health of our feet, making it harder to remain active.
Regular visits to a foot specialist can help older individuals manage these changes proactively, making sure that feet changes with age are identified early and managed effectively before they cause serious mobility issues.
6. A foot specialist can increase your overall well-being
Your feet are truly so important and are the foundation on which you stand, literally and figurately. Your feet carry you throughout your life. Healthy feet contribute significantly to our overall well-being. When our feet are pain-free and functioning as they should, we can have a more active lifestyle.
Many people unfortunately take their feet for granted, until they have a foot problem, especially a problem that causes pain, and keeps them from doing the things they love, or just functioning normally from day to day.
The right foot doctor or foot specialist can be life-changing in so many ways, and help you get back to the life you once loved.
Key Takeways Our feet are the unsung heroes of our body, supporting us in our daily activities, and really taking a beating daily.
Neglecting our foot health can lead to so many problems, affecting not only our mobility but also our overall well-being, and in some cases, life.
Regular visits to a foot specialist are essential for preventive care if you are diabetic, or have chronic kidney disease, PVD, or neuropathy to prevent foot ulcers, infections, hospitalizations, and amputation.
Consulting a foot specialist is a step in the right direction toward a healthier, more active life, and having healthy feet for life. Don't wait until foot problems become worse, take the first step towards optimal health today.
Schedule Your Appointment At Direct Podiatry Arizona Today
Are you looking for a podiatrist in Phoenix? My name is Dr. Tarr, and I am the owner of Direct Podiatry Arizona in Tempe. To view my available appointment times, click here.
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