Medical specialists who help with problems on your feet or lower legs area are known as Podiatrists. They are also called a doctor of podiatric medicine or podiatric physician. You can consult them in need of treatment for complications or injuries caused due to your ongoing health issues such as diabetes, arthritis, etc. But before consulting a Podiatre in Montreal, get to know what exactly they do.
Conditions treated by Podiatrists
Podiatrists are just like general care physicians or family doctors. They treat several foot-related problems in people of all ages. However, some of them are specialized doctors in different areas of foot medicine such as:
- Diabetes
- Podiatrist (children)
- Surgery
- Sports medicine
- Wound care
- Other kinds of foot-related issues
So if you undergo any kind of foot-related problems then you need to see a podiatrist. Now, let’s discuss the conditions treated by them.
- Diabetes
You must be aware that diabetes is such a condition where the body either doesn’t make a hormone called insulin or stop using it the way it should. Do you know that insulin helps to digest the sugar in your body? So, diabetes can eventually damage the nerves in the legs or feet and cause trouble for your body in getting enough blood to your feet.
Moreover, diabetes can cause several serious complications. Reports state that more than 65,000 diabetic patients get their feet amputated by a doctor. Podiatrists play a major role here in helping you to prevent it. Next time, make sure to get your feet checked in case of any sore or callus.
- Arthritis
It is a condition in your body that can be caused due to swelling, inflammation, or wear and tear on your joints. In such a medical condition, a Podiatrist can recommend several ways to help you ease your pain such as drugs, physical therapy, inserts, or special shoes. At last, if none of these ways work then you might have to undergo surgery.
- Fractures
Podiatrists regularly treat injuries from fractures and sprains that affect an ankle or foot. Specialized Podiatrists in sports medicine treat athletes having foot problems and also help them to avoid such issues in the future.
- Hammertoes
This is a medical condition in which the toe doesn’t bend the right way. A Podiatre in Montreal also treats problems in your feet bones such as a bunion. It happens when the joint at the base of the big toe becomes bigger or dislodged.
- Nail Disorder
It is a kind of nail infection caused by a fungus or an ingrown toenail. It happens when a side or corner of a nail grows into your toe instead of straight out.
- Heel Pain
Heel pain is usually caused due to heel spurs – an accumulation of calcium at the bottom of your heel bone. The reasons for this medical condition are overweight, running, or ill-fitting shoes.
- Morton’s Neuroma
It refers to the nerve problems between the third and fourth bones of your foot causing pain, inflammation, and an unavoidable feeling of something pricking in your shoe. Usually, this condition affects athletic runners. However, a Podiatrist can help you considerably ease the pain by giving shots and finding an orthotic.
Why do you need to see a Podiatrist?
Your feet help you to do a lot of work. They are complex structures with many bones, ligaments, and tendons that require to perfectly work together to keep you moving. You need to see a Podiatrist when you face:
- Cracks or cuts in the skin of your lower legs
- Foot pain
- Discolored
- toenails
- Peeling on the soles
Expectations from a Podiatre in Montreal
A Podiatrist is like any other doctor who will ask about your medications, medical history, or surgeries on your first visit. They check the motion in your joints, the way you stand or walk, and your shoe fittings. They give pain medication through syringes, and nail anvil or nail splitters to remove ingrown nails.
However, it is always recommendable to get your feet checked by your Podiatrist even if you have healthy feet. This can help you to avoid toe, foot, and nail problems.