Why Every Runner Should See a Podiatrist

Whether you are a professional runner, or a recreational jogger who is struggling with shin splints, podiatrist warwick can help. They are trained to address chronic medical concerns like bunions, calluses and hammertoes, and can also treat acute injuries such as sprains.

The foot has 33 joints and 26 bones, and is a complex structure that must work in tandem with the rest of the body to move.

1. Prevention

The feet are made up of 33 separate joints, and podiatrists can help treat any issues relating to the foot, ankle, or lower leg. Some common problems include bunions, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, arthritis (the deterioration of joint connective tissue), gout, and heel pain. They can also advise on how to maintain general foot care, how to pick out the correct shoes for your feet, and suggest exercises or stretches that can improve foot strength.

While many people assume that sore feet and ankles are simply a normal part of life, it is important to know that your body is telling you something. When your feet and ankles hurt, they should be treated as soon as possible to prevent further injury or discomfort. Physiotherapy warwick will be able to quickly identify the root cause of your pain and prescribe the right treatment. Whether that involves medication, physical therapy, or even surgery. Seeing a podiatrist early on will save you money, time, and unnecessary pain in the future.

2. Treatment

A podiatrist has spent years learning the complexities of the feet and ankles. While a general medical doctor, even an orthopedist, has a much less focused base of knowledge on the feet and ankles.

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Podiatrists can help with bunions, ingrown toenails, arch problems, shortened or tight tendons, heel pain, circulation in the feet (especially for diabetic patients), and foot injuries. They can also diagnose gout and arthritis which are common causes of foot pain.

Most importantly, a podiatrist can help you understand the underlying problem that is leading to your foot pain or condition. It’s important to see a specialist as soon as you notice any issues with your feet and ankles because these parts of the body are complex, all-in-one stabilizers, shock absorbers, and propulsion engines that need expert care. Ensure that you’re seeing the right health-care professional by looking for the letters DPM after their name! The DPM designation means that they have undergone rigorous podiatric medical school and hospital-based residency training.

3. Prevention

Podiatrists are experts on foot and ankle injuries, but they also offer preventive services. They can prescribe shoe inserts that alter your foot’s biomechanics to reduce injury risk. They can design splints, plaster casts and strappings for immobilization of fractured or sprained ankles and feet. They can take molds of your feet and make custom orthotics that support arches or correct abnormalities in the structure of your feet and toes.

They can treat a variety of conditions, including bunions, heel pain and ingrown toenails. They can diagnose and manage diabetic foot problems, which often lead to painful ulcers on the feet and lower legs. They can treat neuromas, a tingling sensation in the feet caused by compression of the nerves that connect to your toes.

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A podiatrist can prescribe medications and order lab tests or X-rays to help identify the cause of a problem. They can recommend physical therapy and exercise to restore strength to joints and muscles in your feet and ankles.

4. Treatment of Injury

Your feet are all-in-one stabilizers, shock absorbers, and propulsion engines that require expert care. Look for a doctor of podiatric medicine, or DPM, to treat common problems such as bunions, ingrown toenails, flat feet, heel spurs, and circulation issues in the lower legs and feet (if you have diabetes). A general medical doctor or orthopedist has less focused education on the foot and ankle.

A podiatrist can prescribe pain relievers, ice packs, compression, and elevation to help you heal. They can also treat joint and tendon injuries such as sprains, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and sports-related injuries to the ankles and feet.

Podiatrists can treat other parts of the leg as well, but if you have an injury to the knee, hip, or spine, it’s best to see an orthopedic specialist. Podiatrists can also provide you with shoe supports or orthotics and give you shots or surgery to treat Morton’s neuroma, a nerve problem between the third and fourth toes that causes pain, burning, and the sensation that there’s something in your shoes.