What Your Podiatrist Can Do For You - Health

If you need foot surgery, it is a podiatrist you really want to see. This specialty deals with all the common problems we tend to see in our feet and ankles, including less serious ailments such as calluses, warts, corns, heel spurs, foot pain and ingrown toenails. Although many people do not think about it, a podiatrist can also help with the greater problems commonly felt in our ankles, like sprains and fractures. They are specialists who have received a doctorate in podiatric medicine. These professionals must undergo state and national exams and obtain professional licenses from the state in which they intend to practice. It is almost unbelievable, but many people still do not understand what a podiatrist does. This is unfortunate, since so many of us suffer from foot problems and because the feet are such a vital part of our day to day existence.

In the United States alone, there exist almost 18,000 practicing podiatrists. These doctors are in high demand especially by elder people suffering from ailments in their lowest extremities. Unfortunately, there are many people who let their foot problems go untreated, thinking that their specific issues are not enough to warrant a trip to the doctor. This kind of thinking is precisely what can help a slight problem go from mild to bad to worse.

Another reason why people fail to seek proper healthcare treatment is that they are uninsured and cannot afford costly medical assistance. This is another even more unfortunate reason for not seeing a doctor. If you feel that your foot troubles, be they bunions or fungal in nature, are getting out of control then you should think about possible solutions to your financial limitations. Believe me; your feet will thank you. Your feet are among the most important parts of your body, and should not be neglected.

Podiatrists do much more than treat patients with ingrown toenails. In addition to being able to treat hammertoes and fungus, these specialists are able to identify skin and nail problems, fractures, ulcers and tumors in the region. A podiatrist is qualified to perform foot surgery in order to rectify problems caused by a ruptured Achilles, bunions, claw toes, fractures and infections. Bone disorders can be remedied by a podiatrist, as well as issues calling for prescription orthotics meant to rectify walking patterns. A podiatrist will know what to do for patients suffering from plantar fasciitis, heel spurs or cysts.

There are a number of symptoms that should send any sensible sufferer running to a podiatrist. These include any lingering pain in the foot or ankle, visible alterations in the nails or skin of the foot, painful blisters and signs of a bacterial infection (tenderness, swelling, redness or pain). Often people suffer foot problems for typical reasons. Issues may be caused by not wearing the proper footgear or putting the foot under too much physical distress. Arthritis in the foot may cause a range of symptoms in the joints. Fungal troubles are often caught through bacterial infection. And lastly, accidents can cause sudden breaks and sprains in the foot and ankle.

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