Millions of people experience foot problems and pain on a daily basis, and often have a choice in who they see to have care rendered. Some present to their family doctors first, others to an emergency room or urgent care center. . There are a number of conditions in which a podiatrist should be the first physician sought for care, as these conditions require expertise of the foot and ankle for complete and speedy recovery. This article will discuss five of those conditions, and why podiatric care is superior to that of a general physician in these cases.
Heel Pain
Heel pain on the bottom of the foot is very common, and is usually caused by a condition called plantar fasciitis (not a heel spur as many people mistakenly claim, even physicians). This condition is easy enough to START to treat, but in order to allow it to completely resolve and not return the treating physician must have a thorough understanding of foot biomechanics (how the foot structure interacts with shoes and the ground during standing and motion), as the foot's structure plays a dominant role in how plantar fasciitis begins in the first place and continues despite activity restriction. Podiatrists have this understanding, and are able to combine medical treatment with structural support to resolve heel pain permanently. Surgery may be necessary in some cases, which nearly all podiatrists perform, although on average this is less than 5-10% of the time.
Ingrown Toenails
Many family physicians and urgent care centers can provide some rudimentary care for painful ingrown toenails. This usually includes prescribing an antibiotic, offering soaking instructions, or simply removing the side of the nail that is ingrown. Unfortunately, these measures are only part of the treatment process, as ingrown nails must have their sides removed permanently to prevent the process from starting all over again when the nail side returns to full length. These is an extra treatment step involving a chemical that is typically used for the destruction of the nail root cells following removal of the side of the nail, called phenol, which is not often carried or offered by most family practices or urgent care centers. By seeing a podiatrist first, one can have permanent resolution of their chronic ingrown toenail pain in as little as ten minutes.
Diabetic Foot Wounds
Diabetic foot wounds demand near immediate attention, as an improperly cared-for wound can place a diabetic at serious risk for an infection that could lead to an amputation. Diabetic wounds are not only diseases of the skin and its ability to heal, but are also a disease of abnormal foot pressure caused often by bone prominence and poor sensation. Care of diabetic wounds requires both expertise in wound care principles as well as understanding in how the bone and general foot structure contributes to the wound process. Wounds not only must have proper dressings and periodic in-office surgical care to remove nonviable tissue, but also pressure reduction measures to allow the skin to heal. Podiatrists in general are expert diabetic foot wound care providers, in most cases providing more comprehensive care than wound care centers, and can provide full wound care as well as pressure reduction through an intimate knowledge in foot structure and biomechanics. Diabetics should c all their family physicians first for all medical situations regarding their abnormal blood sugar or other complications, but need to see a podiatrist as soon as possible when foot wounds arise so that more serious complications, like amputation, can be prevented. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for an ignored or under treated diabetic foot wound to quickly worsen and lead to leg infection and gangrene.
Bunion and Toe Pain
Podiatrists treat bunions, hammertoes, and all sources of toe and forefoot pain more than any other condition, save for heal pain and nail disease. There can be many complex mechanical causes for these conditions, as genetics has only an initial role in most cases of bunions and other toe and foot deformities. Treatment may involve several measures that serve to reduce inflammation and mechanical irritation to bone or joint tissue, and surgery may be necessary to permanently correct the condition. These conditions are treated successfully on a daily basis by podiatrists, and podiatrists should be the obvious primary choice in care when foot pain begins.
Foot and Ankle Sprains That Are Not Healing
Sprains are a common injury, and often occur in the evenings or weekends after most medical practices are closed. It is very appropriate to present to an urgent care center or emergency room for serious foot and ankle sprains to ensure there is no fracture. However, most of the time these injuries have subtle damage that can lead to instability and pain later on, even when no fracture is present. If a sprain has not significantly improved in a couple weeks following the injury, to the point there is little to no pain remaining, then a podiatrist needs to be consulted to ensure there is not a more significant injury present. Urgent care center and emergency room staff can initiate treatment of fractures and major injuries, but are by no means foot and ankle specialists and can either miss or under treat a more significant soft tissue injury as there are sicker patients who require their attention. If a podiatrist is available to evaluate the foot or ankle right after a seri ous foot or ankle sprain occurs, then it is probably a good idea to see the podiatrist first instead of sitting in the emergency room waiting for basic care. In certain serious cases, the future stability of the foot and ankle may be dependant on proper initial care.
As one can see from the above conditions, there are specific situations in which it is best to see a podiatrist for initial care, as a more accurate diagnosis can be made which will result in a more specific specialized treatment and a faster recovery. Podiatrists are available in nearly every area in the United States in both private practices and hospital clinics, and unless one's insurance requires a referral, can be generally seen in most areas without having to go through a lengthy referral process.
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