Is seeing a podiatrist worth it?

If you have any issues that involve the foot and or ankle—a sports injury, arthritis/joint pain, skin problems, etc. —a visit to the podiatrist is your best bet. A podiatrist is a specialist who manages and treats almost all symptoms that involve the ankle and/or the foot.

What is the most common problem treated by a podiatrist?

The most common foot problem that a podiatrist treats is heel pain. Heel pain can be caused by a variety of different conditions, such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis. Treatment for heel pain often includes things like stretching exercises, orthotic devices, or cortisone injections.

What are reasons to see a podiatrist?

How often should you see a podiatrist?

Individuals with healthy feet should still visit a podiatrist once every year. The doctor can identify potential issues and recommend steps you can take to avoid problems and maintain healthy feet. Patients who have certain foot or ankle conditions, such as a history of foot ulcers, should see a podiatrist more often.

What conditions can podiatrists treat?

Some of the medical conditions podiatrists treat include heel pain (plantar fasciitis), foot complications from diabetes, ankle and foot arthritis, nerve problems, tendonitis, hammertoes, flat feet, nail disorders, bunions, warts, fungus, fractures, and sprains.

Why is Seeing a Podiatrist Important?

What happens at your first visit to a podiatrist?

It'll ask you questions about your current foot problems, medical conditions, medications taken, and any previous surgeries. You'll be asked about your habits related to your feet, and the questionnaire will include questions about your family medical history.

Do podiatrists help with walking?

Fitter Feet Podiatrists can assess your walking (gait) and provide orthotic foot supports to help pain free legs feet and backs when walking. Even arthritic pains can be improved by wearing orthoses when walking. Our Podiatrists also remove callus, corns and treat painful nails to help you keep walking comfortably.

Is it better to go to a podiatrist or orthopedist?

As a general guideline, if you have an injury, condition, or symptoms affecting your foot or ankle health, it's best to see a podiatrist. If you have an injury, condition, or symptoms affecting any other part of your musculoskeletal system, it's best to see an orthopedic physician.

Can a podiatrist detect nerve damage?

Anyone who has symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in their feet or legs should see a podiatrist. The podiatrists at American Foot and Leg Specialists are trained in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of this type of nerve damage.

What is the difference between a foot doctor and a podiatrist?

Podiatrists complete four years of higher education at a school of podiatry to receive their medical certification. They follow their podiatry education with two to three years of residency. Foot and ankle specialists receive additional advanced training to treat traumatic injuries of the lower leg, ankle, and foot.

When would you refer someone to a podiatrist?

Foot skin and nail problems

A podiatrist is also very well equipped to diagnose and manage skin conditions of the foot including warts and recurrent blistering. Ingrown, thickened and fungal nails are best managed by a podiatrist.

What is better than a podiatrist?

Unlike podiatrists that only treat the foot and ankle, an orthopedic doctor also treats other body parts such as the knees, hips, and spine. If podiatrists are foot and ankle doctors, orthopedists are bone and joint specialists. Orthopedists can treat various musculoskeletal issues.

What questions should I ask a podiatrist?

Why are podiatrists not doctors?

Are They Doctors? Podiatrists are doctors, but they don't go to traditional medical school. They have their own schools and professional associations. They also have "DPM" (doctor of podiatric medicine) after their names instead of "MD" (medical doctor).

What are the first signs of neuropathy in your feet?

What are the symptoms of nerve damage in your feet?

numbness and tingling in the feet or hands. burning, stabbing or shooting pain in affected areas. loss of balance and co-ordination. muscle weakness, especially in the feet.

How does a podiatrist diagnose foot pain?

A podiatrist will perform an exam and take x-rays to determine the root cause and develop a treatment plan. You think you've sprained or broken your ankle or foot. Your first instinct may be to visit the orthopedist, but a podiatrist has more experience treating foot and ankle injuries.

Can a podiatrist remove a toenail?

Toenail removal is a simple procedure and usually takes no more than twenty minutes. It can be performed on an outpatient basis in your podiatrist's office. To start, your doctor will inject a local anesthetic into your toe to prevent pain.

What is the area of the body that is most commonly injured by podiatrists?

Overall from the 948 podiatrists who responded, 719 (76%) reported musculoskeletal pain as a result of their work practices throughout their career. Of the 705 responses that indicated the area of most significant injury, 29% reported the low back as the area of most significant injury (n = 203).

Should you see a podiatrist or orthopedic for plantar fasciitis?

Podiatric surgeons, therefore, are more specialized and detailed in the treatment of plantar fasciitis, as the foot and ankle are their specialty.

Do podiatrists massage feet?

Podiatrists at Posture Podiatry also have a particular interest in manual therapies – using hands on treatment to mobilise the 33 joints of each foot. We also use advanced massage and dry needling techniques (yes, podiatrists use acupuncture needles!) to help release muscle tension if the need arises.

Can walking too much damage feet?

Being physically active has long been applauded as an ingredient for good health, but, according to surgeons at the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, doing too much too soon can wreak havoc on the feet and can cause painful overuse injuries: tendonitis, ruptured tendons and stress fractures, to name a few.

Do I need a referral from my GP to see a podiatrist?

If you are self-funding you do not require a referral from anyone. You can contact us direct to make an appointment that suits you. If you have private health insurance then you sometimes require a referral from your GP, Orthopaedic surgeon or other allied health professional.

How do I prepare for a podiatrist visit?

What do you wear to a podiatrist appointment?

Wear the Right Clothes

The examination will be easier if you're wearing comfortable clothing that gives easy access to your lower limbs, such as trousers that can be rolled up or shorts. It's harder for the podiatrist to assess your problem if your clothes are tight-fitting and restrict your natural movement.