A podiatrist is a specialized medical doctor who focuses his or her practice on the treatment of the feet and the ankles and their interaction with the lower legs. All podiatrists in the United States can become Board Certified with specialized training over and above their medical training to become a doctor.
In addition, they are required to write an exam and to maintain all required training and professional development requirements to keep their certification current. This ensures the podiatrist you choose, as Board Certified, is keeping abreast of the latest in developments, research, and best practices in their area of specialization.
Determining when you need to see a podiatrist or when your primary care physician is a good choice of doctor can be a bit confusing. Ideally a top primary care doctor would immediately refer to a podiatrist for specific conditions of the foot or ankle, but you may choose to make the appointment yourself directly with the specialist.
Constant Foot Problems
A top sign you need to see a podiatrist is ongoing foot problems which do not go away. Issues such as constant corns or calluses on one or both feet, blisters which seem to occur continually despite changing shoes, or any type of foot numbness, tingling or “pins and needles” feelings may be very serious.
Anyone with diabetes or neuropathy should be seeing a podiatrist on a regular basis if the symptoms are not well controlled.
Foot and Heel Pain
There are many different reasons people see a podiatrist, but foot and heel pain is by far the most common. There is a range of different issues which can contribute to foot and heel pain including plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, Achilles tendonitis and other types of inflammations of the joints and tendons.
Fractures and structural problems of the feet can also create chronic types of foot or heel pain which will be eliminated unless the underlying issue is repaired.
Ankle Problems
Ankle sprains, strains, fractures and swelling should not be left to heal on their own. In fact, failure to get the medical attention required can turn a relatively simple treatment into something much more complicated.
Early detection and diagnosis of any ankle conditions will speed up recovery and reduce the pain.
Weight Bearing Problems
When people experience problems, including pain, stiffness or lack of motion in the joints of the foot or ankle, it is essential to see your podiatrist. Walking with an atypical or unusual gait can result in increasing strain on the rest of the body, including the lower back and spine, and may cause additional musculoskeletal problems.
Seeing your podiatrist for any foot or ankle conditions is a good option. You can go through your primary care physician or make an appointment yourself to see the specialist you choose.
If you need a podiatrist visit us at Suburban Orthopaedics. Our trained, experienced and patient-focused doctors will be happy to schedule a consultation session. To learn more go to www.suburbanortho.com or follow us on Google+.
