Tuesday, March 4, 2014

When To See An Austin Foot Doctor

By Leticia Jensen


It is no coincidence that the common expression about standing on your own two feet is so popular. The ability to stand, to walk and to run is taken for granted by most people and it is only when this ability is diminished that people understand just how important their feet, ankles and related limbs are. Problems in this area are common and varied, as any Austin foot doctor will confirm.

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.

Luckily, much can be done to prevent disease and injury to the feet. Of course, the most sensible precaution is to wear shoes that fit properly and that are designed for the purpose for which they are used. Sportspeople, especially, should take heed. Shoes are designed for specific types of movements and it is vital to buy the shoes specially designed for a specific sporting activity.

Apart from not wearing the correct shoes, poor hygiene is the biggest cause of disease of the feet. The importance of cleaning the feet regularly and to keep them dry at all times simply cannot be overemphasized. Care should also be taken to keep socks dry. Moisture is the main cause of a host of fungal diseases. Trying to deal with problems such as corns at home is also a sure road to more serious problems.

It is always better to seek medical help as soon as possible. Even mild discomfort in the knees, ankles and feet can be symptoms of a larger, more serious problem. Physical injuries should never be ignored either and the practice of simply treating swelling with ice and rest is basically a poor one. Also, it is advisable to consult a podiatrist rather than a general practitioner when problems of this nature occur.

Patients that experience problems in this area should ask their general practitioner to refer them to a specialist. Many general practitioners that treat such problems in their own consulting rooms simply do not have the experience or knowledge necessary to identify and diagnose potentially serious problems. They end up treating the symptoms and may unwittingly cause more harm than good.

A podiatrist is specially trained to diagnose and treat a wide variety of problems related to the knees, the lower legs, the ankles and especially the feet. Any problems in any of these areas should be referred to a specialist. It is certainly not worth risking permanent pain or injury by ignoring even minor discomfort or a seemingly small injury.




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