Not every problem with your feet or ankles warrants an appointment with your podiatrist because sometimes all you need is time, rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medicine, and even a change of shoes. However, when certain problems sneak up and just won’t go away, that is a sure sign that you need an expert’s help. Foot pain is not normal, and putting up with painful feet is never comfortable. Put the right foot forward, and visit your podiatrist in Charlotte when a problem arises.
What is a Podiatrist?
Also called a doctor of podiatric medicine, a podiatrist is a medical specialist who provides the diagnosis and treatment for various foot and ankle conditions, such as bunions, heel pain, spurs, hammertoes, neuromas, ingrown toenails, and an array of others. A podiatrist will also render the care of sprains, fractures, infections, and injuries of the foot, ankle and heel.
More than ever, podiatrists are in demand because of the rapidly aging population. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, foot disorders are among the most widespread and neglected health problems affecting people in this country. Podiatrists typically:
* Consult with patients and other physicians on how to prevent foot problems.
* Diagnose and treat tumors, ulcers, fractures, skin and nail diseases, and deformities.
* Perform surgeries to correct or remedy such problems as bunions, clawtoes, fractures, hammertoes, infections, and other ligament and tendon disorders.
* Prescribe therapies and perform diagnostic procedures such as digital x-rays and order lab tests.
* Treat conditions such as: bone disorders, bunions, corns, calluses, cysts, heel spurs, infections, ingrown nails, and plantar fasciitis.
When Should I See a Podiatrist?
Your podiatrist is specially trained to diagnose and treat all foot and ankle conditions. If you are having a specific foot problem, your best bet is to visit Dr. Basinger, your podiatrist in Charlotte, NC for the best care available. Several serious conditions, such as diabetes and peripheral arterial disease, can show up in your feet first, making it more important than ever to visit your podiatrist. Your podiatrist can spot a more widespread disease before most.
A Wound or Sore Does Not Heal
If you have an open sore on your foot or ankle, you should visit your podiatrist immediately. This is especially important if you have diabetes, as it usually takes you longer to heal. If you visit your podiatrist right away you will have a better chance at healing. Even more so, if you have had an open sore for a long time, your chance of getting a skin or bone infection increases. Don’t hesitate; visit Dr. Basinger, your Charlotte, NC podiatrist immediately.
Aging Feet
Some changes to your feet are normal as you age, but having pain isn’t one of them. As you begin putting more miles on your feet, you may notice that your feet may change shape, lose cushioning, experience skin changes; develop arthritis, and an array of other complications. It is important that as you age, you pay close attention to the health of your feet and contact your podiatrist whenever you experience pain, or other symptoms. Ignoring the natural changes that aging brings to your feet can hurt you in the end.
Pain Increasing with Activity or Lasting more than 24 Hours
If you are experiencing pain that gets worse with activity, this may be a sign of a stress fracture. You should not try to work through the pain; instead it is vital that you visit your podiatrist. If you treat a stress fracture early, you can potentially avoid more serious problems such as a stress fracture that will not heal, or one that turns into an actual broken bone.
Additionally, if your pain lasts for more than 24 hours do not be afraid to call your podiatrist. If there is a problem, it is better to deal with it sooner rather than later. There are many treatment options available for dealing with pain, but the first step is to figure out what is causing the pain.
Don’t ignore your foot or ankle pain. Visit your podiatrist for immediate diagnosis, and treatment, as well as prevention of the worsening of symptoms.
Sean Hartmen writes for Dr. Scott Basinger of Ankle and Foot Center of Charlotte, a leading podiatrist in Charlotte, NC and Ballantyne. Offering a full array of services, including heel pain, ingrown toenails, foot pain, orthotics and bunions in Charlotte, NC, Dr. Basinger is qualified to treat any disorder of the foot and ankle for patients of all ages.
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