4 Questions to Ask Orthopedic Foot Specialist

The role of a foot doctor is to help people with issues related to their feet or legs. Foot doctors are medical professionals who, as well as treating injuries, can treat complications associated with ongoing health conditions, such as diabetes.

Among the services podiatrists provide are surgery, resetting broken bones, prescribing drugs, and ordering lab tests or X-rays. In the case of foot or lower leg problems, they often work closely with other specialists.

After college, they go to podiatry school for 4 years. It is their responsibility to study how your bones, nerves, and muscles interact to make your move. Furthermore, the study conditions can affect your feet, such as illnesses and injuries. A foot problem can be diagnosed, treated, and even repaired with surgery if necessary.

After graduating from podiatry school, students work for three years in hospitals. During residency, they put what they’ve learned into practice. In addition to working with surgeons, pediatricians, anesthesiologists, and infectious disease specialists, they also consult with doctors in other fields.

There are many types of foot problems and as a result, there are many causes of foot problems. Improper foot function is commonly the cause of foot pain. Poorly fitting shoes can sometimes cause or worsen foot problems. Irritation to the skin and foot joints can be minimized or prevented by shoes that provide quality support and are properly fitted.

Many types of foot problems affect the toes, heels, tendons, joints, nerves, and ligaments. There are other major causes of foot problems as well such as injuries and several types of underlying conditions. Many foot problems can also develop from regular wear and tear and individuals can grow increasingly susceptible to them as they age.

There are many common kinds of foot problems that result from day-to-day life, injuries, or underlying conditions.

An athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that can be caused by humid, warm environments. Athletes’ foot typically first develops between the toes however, they can spread to the toenails and the bottom of the feet, and sometimes other parts of the body. Symptoms of athlete’s foot include blisters, calling, burning, and itching.

A bunion is a swollen bump that develops on the joint between the foot and the big toe. As a bunion swells it becomes larger and more painful. Bunions may be caused by wearing shoes that are too narrow or too tight. In extreme cases, bunions can alter the alignment of the big toe and other toes due to pressure. Surgery may be necessary to remove bunions.

Claw and hammer toe occur when toe joints are not bending normally causing toes to bend or curl toward the ground. Several different diseases may cause nerve damage prompting claw toe such as diabetes. Some cases of claw and hammer toe can result in permanent deformities.

Calluses and corns are raised patches of dead skin that feel rough or thick. Calluses appear on the bottom of the foot while corns develop on top of the feet. A doctor can usually shave the dead skin away however, sometimes cortisone injections or surgery may be an option when the calluses or corns persist.

Podiatrists are experts on problems pertaining to the feet. Visiting a podiatrist gives patients access to extensive knowledge to specifically tailored long-term advice not only on how to manage their condition but preventative steps and lifestyle changes they can take or make to avoid it resurfacing. Podiatrists take specialized diagnostic and treatment approaches to each problem pertaining to the foot due to their extensive knowledge.

At the Orthopedic Group, patients can expect highly specialized treatment to satisfy all their foot care needs as well as the information and guidance necessary for long-term foot health. We serve patients from Leesburg VA, Lansdowne VA, Stone Springs VA, Dulles, VA, Ashburn VA, Sterling VA, Aldie VA, South Riding VA, Herndon VA, Winchester VA, Reston VA, and Chantilly VA.