How Podiatrists Help With Common Foot Conditions

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Foot conditions such as arthritis, neuropathy, and calluses can lead to pain, deformities, and other complications. These issues may reduce mobility and limit participation in physical activities like sports. If you experience severe pain or notice deformities in your lower leg, consult a foot doctor promptly. Below are several common foot conditions and the treatments podiatrists use to address them:

Calluses and Ingrown Toenails

Calluses are thick patches of dead skin on the foot. They are caused by foot deformities, wearing new shoes, failure to wear socks, and aging. To treat calluses, podiatrists may suggest home remedies, such as soaking your feet in warm water to soften the thick skin before gently removing it with a pumice stone. They can also prescribe a foot moisturizer containing urea to soften the dead skin for removal.

Ingrown toenails cause swelling and pain around the nail. Podiatrists may suggest soaking the affected toes in warm water to soften the skin and alleviate pain. In severe cases, a doctor can surgically remove the nail and drain the fluid causing the inflammation.

Arthritis and Chronic Foot Pain

Arthritis, heel pain, and other foot issues can strain tendons and ligaments, disrupting foot alignment. A foot doctor may prescribe orthotics to help realign your feet and relieve pain caused by these conditions. Orthotics are specialized devices placed in shoes to provide comfort, stability, and relief from chronic pain during walking or other physical activities. Podiatrists customize orthotics based on the extent of damage and severity of symptoms.

Diabetic Foot Ulcers Complications

Diabetic foot ulcers are open sores that develop beneath the toes of individuals with diabetes. Approximately 15% of diabetic patients experience these painful ulcers, which can impair mobility. Treatment procedures include debridement, offloading, and wound dressing. Debridement involves carefully removing dead tissue around the ulcer to reduce friction and discomfort. Offloading may include using crutches or other devices to relieve pressure on the affected foot.

Neuropathy, a condition that affects the central nervous system, damages nerves and causes numbness or muscle pain in the feet. If you feel tingling or burning sensations on the soles of your feet, consult a podiatrist. They may order imaging tests such as CT scans, EMG, or MRI to assess nerve damage.

If the nerve damage is mild, your podiatrist can prescribe physical therapy to help reduce pain and improve movement. For more severe cases, podiatrists may use Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS). This procedure involves placing electrodes on the skin to stimulate nerves, relieve pain, and support healing.

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis is a painful inflammation caused by strain on the foot’s main tendon. Mild occurrences can be managed with home remedies such as rest, elevation, and compression. For more severe cases, podiatrists may recommend orthopedic shoes and anti-inflammatory medications. In some extreme cases, surgery is required to repair the damaged tendon.

Heel and Ankle Bone Spurs

Bone spurs in the heel and ankle can cause pain, swelling, corns, and limited mobility. For mild inflammation, podiatrists may recommend over-the-counter medications. Non-invasive treatments like extracorporeal shockwave therapy and plantar fascia release are also used. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the spurs and relieve symptoms.

Visit a Foot Doctor Early

Foot conditions can cause pain and loss of mobility, affecting your ability to undertake tasks such as walking. Visiting a foot doctor promptly after noticing symptoms such as inflammation, tingling, pain, or deformity can help restore movement and relieve discomfort. These professionals treat a variety of conditions, from fungal toenail infections to sports-related ankle injuries. Schedule a visit with a podiatrist to learn about the various interventions for your foot condition.

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