Five Foot Conditions You Need To See A Podiatrist For First

Many Americans experience foot problems and pain on a daily basis, and often have a choice in what physician they can see first for treatment. Some chose to see their family doctor first, others go to an emergency room or urgent care center. A smaller number of people actually directly go to a foot specialist (podiatrist) to have their condition treated. There are a number of conditions that need podiatric care from the start, as these conditions require either the expertise of the specialist or the success of their treatment courses in order to ensure a full 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 consists of a prescription antibiotic and soaking instructions, or a basic removal of the ingrown side of the nail. 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 as much a disease of the skin and healing as they are a disease of abnormal foot pressure dominated by foot structure 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 call 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 multiple measures designed to control inflammation as well as reduce mechanical irritation to the bone or joint in question, and surgery may be needed to correct the condition permanently. 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 serious 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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