Our feet are one of the most used parts of our body, but we often neglect to care for them properly. Over time, our feet can develop abnormalities, skin irritation, or other disorders that can cause us discomfort. Podiatrists can be seen for the treatment of sports injuries, infections, sprains, fractures, or other injuries to the foot, ankle, or heel.
At Four Seasons Medical Concierge, our goal is to give the patient complete control of their medical journey. We help you find the physician you want, help you choose the treatment plan, and choose the location you want. Four Seasons Medical Concierge can help you find the right podiatrist for your foot, ankle, and heel concerns. Contact us today for further information or to find a podiatry practice near you!
What is podiatry?
Podiatry is a medical specialty that emphasizes the medicinal and surgical diagnosis and treatment of ailments, diseases, disorders, and injuries of the foot, ankle, heel, and lower structures of the leg. A podiatrist is a medical practitioner who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and management of foot, heel, and ankle abnormalities.
Common foot disorders that can be treated by a podiatrist include:
Bunions
Bunions are one of the most common foot problems and occur when the base of the big toe pushes out against the first metatarsal, resulting in a painful bump at the base of the big toe. Bunions typically form at a joint and can cause pain when walking and can cause calluses to form. Bunions can range in severity, some mild cases the symptoms can be treated with customized shoe inserts, anti-inflammatory creams, and proper footwear. More severe cases will require a surgical procedure performed by a podiatrist.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails can form as a result of injuries that result in a change in the shape of the toenail, toe deformities like bunions, wearing tight, narrow, or pointed shoes, or poor nail trimming. Ingrown toenails are more often the result of wearing shoes that do not fit properly and put additional pressure on the nail and soft tissues. Ingrown toenails can often be treated without surgery, but in some cases, a surgical procedure is the only way to correct the problem.
Hammer Toes
Hammer toes occur as a result of a muscle imbalance around a toe joint that causes the toe to bend at one of the joints. Hammer toes are typically a hereditary condition, but can also develop as a result of an injury to the foot or toe, wearing shoes that are too tight or that lack arch support, or by diseases like arthritis, neuromuscular disorders, and diabetes that can affect the muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. There are many treatment options for hammer toes, including foot rollers, toes braces, and better footwear, but many hammer toes are most effectively treated with surgical correction.
Other conditions that can be treated by a podiatrist include:
- Heel spurs
- Flat feet
- Skin problems
- Sports injuries
- Corns
- Calluses
- Sprains
- Fractures
Are you interested in finding the right concierge podiatrist for your foot, heel, and ankle concerns? Contact Four Seasons Medical Concierge today for further information or to find a podiatry practice near you. We look forward to assisting you!
