Disorders Of The Feet ~ Advice For Health

A podiatrist specializes in disorders and injuries of the ankles and feet, which can range from issues that cause discomfort for patients, but are easily remedied, to disorders which require surgery to cure the problem. If you are experiencing problems with your feet or ankles, you will want to discuss them with your physician, who will then make the decision of whether you need to be seen by a specialist or not. Disorders of the feet can cause problems and affect the entire body, because when your feet are uncomfortable or painful, performing everyday activities can become a challenge.

Here are some common disorders of the feet that people go to a podiatrist for help with:

Flatfoot - This disorder occurs when the arch of the foot collapses and normally happens when the person is walking or standing. Arthritis may be a factor in a patient with flatfoot, as well as excessive weight. If it is left untreated for too long, flatfoot can create painful tearing and stretching of the soft tissue that is in the foot. Sometimes, supportive shoes can help this disorder, while other times surgery is necessary.

Bunions - This foot deformity indicates that the toe has started to point inward. It is a painful lump that occurs on the side of the foot, normally due to a genetic weakness of the structure of the foot, but can also become worse by wearing shoes that are not appropriate and comfortable for the feet. A podiatrist will recommend the proper course of action, depending on the severity of the bunion. Some can be cured by wearing the right shoes, shoe pads, orthotic apparatus, and sometimes surgery.

Achilles Tendinitis - This is basically inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which is the tendon that runs from the base of the heel to the calf muscles. Athletes and runners often suffer from this painful ankle disorder. A podiatrist may recommend resting the foot and ankle, anti-inflammatory treatments, and stretching the tendon.

Hammertoes - This disorder is caused when the middle joints of the toes contract, which makes them curl under and rub against the ends of the shoes. Hammertoes can lead to painful calluses and corns on the feet, as well. A podiatrist will tell patients who exhibit hammertoes that they should start a course of action quickly to correct the disorder, often with a splint on the affected toes, because the toes could become rigid if it persists for too long without trying to correct it.

Nail and Skin Infections - Some of the skin infections that podiatrists treat are plantar warts, ingrown toenails, toenail fungus, and athlete's foot. Normally, there are medications that can be used to remedy these foot issues that are either prescribed to the patient or bought over the counter.

The American Podiatric Medical Association reports that there are over 17,800 podiatrists that practice in the United States. According to the APMA, foot disorders are some of the most common issues that people deal with, because people tend to neglect their feet, rather than taking care of them properly. If you are experiencing any foot issues consider seeking medical advice from a podiatrist to cure the problem early, before it progresses to the point where you may need surgery.

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