A podiatrist is a specialist trained in diagnosis and treatment of foot, ankle, and toe conditions. Podiatrists complete several years of specialized training beyond medical school.
Conditions a Podiatrist Can Treat
A podiatrist treats a wide variety of medical conditions. A podiatrist can help you heal from:
- An accident involving your feet, ankles, or toes
- A sports injury involving your feet, ankles, or toes
- A chronic medical condition which has affected your feet, ankles, or toes
Specific medical conditions a podiatrist can treat include:
- Bunions
- Heel pain
- Fallen arches
- Plantar fasciitis
- Hammertoes
- Ingrown toenail
- Fungal toenail
- Lateral ankle instability
- Ankle sprains
- Ankle fractures
- Achilles tendon injuries
Common Treatments Provided by a Podiatrist
A podiatrist uses the latest technology to deliver treatments to aid healing, restore function, and restore mobility. Common treatments provided by a podiatrist include:
- Custom orthotics and footwear to provide support
- Shock wave therapy to eliminate heel pain
- Prescription anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling and inflammation
- Antibiotics to kill bacteria causing infection
- Laser therapy to destroy bacteria and fungi
- Surgery to repair ligaments, tendons, and bones, or realign your feet, ankles, or toes
- Splints, casts, and other devices to improve mobility
When You Should Visit Our Podiatrist
You should visit our podiatrist if you have a chronic condition like diabetes or arthritis, which is affecting your feet, ankles, or toes. You should also visit a podiatrist if you are experiencing:
- Severe foot, ankle, or toe pain that doesn’t go away or is getting worse
- Ankle instability when you stand or walk
- Chronic heel pain, especially when you stand and walk
- Swelling in your feet, ankles, or toes which doesn’t resolve
How You Can Prevent Foot, Ankle, or Toe Injuries
You can do a lot to prevent injuries to your feet, ankles, and toes if you always wear appropriate footwear for the activity you are doing, and avoid going barefoot. You should also:
- Do gentle arch, foot, and ankle stretches before activity
- Wear protective gear when playing a sport
- Clean floors free of objects that could cause foot injuries
- Avoid cutting your toenails too short
- Cut your toenails straight across
- Avoid standing or walking on hard surfaces for long periods
