When To See An Austin Foot Doctor

By Leticia Jensen


One of the biggest misfortunes that can befall any person is to lose mobility or to experience severe comfort when moving around. Yet many people experience chronic discomfort in the feet, lower legs, knees and ankles. It is astonishing to learn that most problems with the feet can be ascribed to neglect and a lack of proper care, as any Austin foot doctor will testify.

Podiatrists are medical specialists that have opted for advanced further training in the treatment of disease in and injuries to the feet, ankles, lower legs and the knees. They are part of a small group of specialists that are trained not only to diagnose and treat disease in their field, but to also perform surgery. Some surgical procedures are extremely intricate and they require a very high degree of skill.

There are numerous causes for injuries to the feet or parts of the lower legs. It is common in active sportspeople, but most specialists will agree that the most common cause of problems can be related to the wearing of the wrong shoes. High heels are commonly seen as the biggest cause and that is certainly the reason why the majority of patients seen by podiatrists are female.

The good news is that there is much that can be done to prevent injury to and disease of the feet and ankles. By far the most important preventive measure is to be sure to wear the correct shoes. Shoes should always fit well and the toes should never be pinched. Experts warn that shoes must never be bought when the feet are swollen or tired.

Another important part of preventing problems is to pay close attention to hygiene. The feet must be kept clean and dry all the time and special attention should be paid to the areas between the toes. This is where fungal growths often originate. It is also vital to leave any growths, such as calluses and corns alone. A surprising number of serious problems occur after people attempted to treat such problems at home.

No discomfort, pain or any visible symptoms such as swelling, rashes or growths should ever be ignored. The sooner medical help is sought, the quicker the problem can be dealt with and the less likely it is that more serious problems can ensue. Most podiatrists will testify to the fact that their most serious cases came about because the patient waited too long before seeking medical help.

Many podiatrists bemoan the fact that so many general practitioners treat problems of the feet and ankles themselves, rather than referring their patients to a specialist. It is one thing to offer treatment that will deal with the symptoms, such as swelling and pain, but general practitioners often fail to diagnose underlying problems that may become much more serious in time.

A Podiatrist can help their patients to look after their feet and ankles. Many specialists concentrate on helping their patients to prevent serious problems. With proper care, good hygiene and an awareness of the importance of looking after the feet nobody should experience pain or reduced mobility.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment