As the saying goes, prevention is always better than cure. If you are suffering from any sort of problem in your ankle or foot, then it is best to visit a podiatrist to help you figure out what is bothering you and how you need to treat it.
If you are unsure as to what sort of issues a podiatrist treat shere are some of them:
When you feel pain while doing daily tasks
If your feet are red, tender, swollen or sore and you are unable to carry out your daily activities at an average pace, then it is best to go ahead and meet up with a podiatrist. There are several reasons that could be causing you physical pain in your foot or ankle including a bone fracture, a sprained ankle or tendonitis. Pain in your lower back could also be linked to your foot. Your podiatrist will conduct necessary tests to get to the root of your pain.
When you run or exercise
If you have started to run every day or have decided to take up a new sport, then visiting a Sports podiatry in Kew would be a good start. Your podiatrist will be able to asses any underlying foot problems you may have and give you advice on the right posture and shoes you need to use.
When you have diabetes
Due to the unbalanced glucose levels in your body, you are less likely to feel any pain in the lower portions of your body as a diabetic patient. Therefore, any blisters or wounds on your foot are most likely to take a longer time to heal, hence increasing the risk of infection. It is best to get your feet examined at least once a year to avoid any condition that could end up requiring an amputation.
When you have corns or calluses
Corns or calluses are built up skin on your foot which can become painful if they get very thick. While the presence of corns and calluses on your foot aren’t a serious problem, the reason that caused them could be. Your podiatrist will be most likely to recommend you to either reduce the callus by cutting off some of the skin using a blade or provide you with some cortisone injection to reduce the pain.
When you suffer from heel pain
It is highly recommended to pay your podiatrist a visit if you are suffering from heel pain especially if it hurts every morning as it could be a sign of plantar fasciitis. A heel spur which is a bony outgrowth on your heel should also be checked by a podiatrist. You will undergo a proper diagnosis first before beginning any kind of treatment.
If your podiatrist is quick to recommend surgery, then try getting a second opinion as well to help you make your decision. It is important to visit a podiatrist especially when you are facing one of these conditions as further ignorance of the problem could lead to irreparable damage.