What is podiatry?

 

Podiatry is a medical specialty focusing on the feet and ankles. Our Podiatrists undergo extensive training and have considerable experience with all medical treatments for foot problems, as well as surgeries like bunionectomies. They’re also highly skilled in diagnosing the many injuries and disorders that can affect your feet and ankles.

 

Podiatry services are important for people of all ages. Podiatrists can address abnormalities in your feet to ensure you have the strongest, healthiest feet possible as you go through life.  Podiatrists specialize in providing geriatric foot care to older members of the community, who are more likely to have foot problems and less able to care for their feet.

 

What conditions does podiatry cover?

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Some of the many foot conditions podiatry covers include:

• Plantar fasciitis

• Athlete’s foot

• Ingrown toenails

• Plantar warts

• Bunions

• Flatfeet

• Hammertoes

• Morton’s neuroma

• Heel spurs

• Fungal toenails

• Corns and calluses

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Ankle problems include Achilles tendonitis and ruptures of the Achilles tendon. Fractures of the many bones inside the foot and ankle are common injuries too.

 

One of the most common ankle problems is a sprain, where the ligaments in the joint stretch too far or tear. Sprains can lead to problems like ankle instability, where your ankle is weak and prone to giving way.

 

Our Podiatrists also provides advanced diabetic foot care and has specialized skills in amputation prevention.

 

What role does podiatry play in diabetic foot care?

 

Diabetes affects the circulation in your feet, which makes it harder for oxygen and healing cells to repair injured tissues.

 

You might also get diabetic peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage caused by high blood glucose levels). This condition can cause numbness that stops you from noticing foot injuries. The impaired healing and vulnerability to injury make you more likely to develop ulcers — raw, open wounds that are difficult to heal.

 

If ulcers become infected, which is quite likely, the infection can spread deep into the tissues and could cause gangrene (tissue death). Gangrene might require amputation to stop the infection from spreading up your leg. Our expert specializes in treating ulcers.  Our extensive skills and advanced treatments help patients avoid the trauma of amputation.

 

To find out more about the podiatry services available and benefit from our expertise, call Thrive Wound Care today or book an appointment online.