A podiatrist is a medical expert who can evaluate, diagnose, and treat conditions associated with the feet, lower limbs, and ankles, and their related structures. Foot pain can result from inflammation-causing conditions, overuse, or injury that involves foot bones, tendons, or ligaments. Usually, foot misalignment can lead to pain and impact how you walk or run. As your body counteracts such misalignment, a strain is placed on some parts of your foot, calves, ankles, hips, lower back, and knees. Professional foot and ankle care in Tucson is essential to correct such issues. A podiatrist can treat any of the following conditions:
Sports Injuries
If you suffer a sports injury to your ankle or foot, a podiatrist can provide you with the best treatment you need. Aside from treating your injury, a podiatrist can also offer advice on avoiding common sports injuries. A podiatrist can treat sports injuries such as plantar fasciitis, foot joint sprain, ankle sprain, shin splints, runner’s knee, and Achilles tendonitis.
Heel Pain
Pain in the heel can result from stress fractures, arthritis, tendonitis, nerve irritation, and Severs disease. Also, it can be due to plantar fasciitis and the shoes you are wearing. The pain you may experience can be mild or serious. A podiatrist can evaluate your condition to determine the cause of the pain. They can also determine the most appropriate treatment, including advice on footwear, physical therapy, orthotics, and an exercise or stretching program.
Plantar Fasciitis
This condition develops when the plantar fascia tissue is inflamed. Podiatry treatments for plantar fasciitis include physical therapy, orthotics, a night splint, taping and strapping, and stretching exercises.
Flat Feet
A flat foot can result from tendon injuries, diabetes, or arthritis. If you have flat feet, your feet tend to get tired easily. Also, you can experience other symptoms like archy or painful feet, back and leg pain, and limited foot flexion. A podiatrist may treat your condition by offering guidance on supporting footwear, using orthotics, recommending stretching exercises, and suggesting physical therapy.
Achilles Tendonitis
This condition develops when your Achilles tendon has been overused. Usually, it impacts people who run frequently, play sports like tennis, and wear high heels for an extended period. Symptoms of this condition include help pain and swelling, limited range of motion when you flex your foot, and tight calf muscles. Your treatment may include stretching exercises, physical therapy, and wearing shoes that have a built-up heel insert.
Foot Arthritis
Foot arthritis causes stiff and immobile joints. The subsequent changes in gait and walking patterns cause pain in your knees, hips, and legs. Sometimes, if the arthritic change has progressed, you may experience pain in the related joint as bone rubs where joint erosion occurs. Podiatry treatment for foot arthritis includes using orthotics and shoe inserts to minimize arthritic joint stress and loading.
Bunions
A bunion can result in other foot deformities and issues like a hammer toe, calluses, ingrown toenails, and corns. Treatment bunions may include using orthotics to alleviate pain and discomfort, calluses and corn removal, advice on footwear, cushioned plaster application, and dressing. Only surgery can remove and correct bunions; however, a podiatrist can help alleviate painful symptoms and provide advice on whether surgical intervention is necessary.
Ingrown Toenail
This condition happens following an injury, because of excessive toe pressure, incorrectly cut nails, due to tight-fitting shoes, or poor hygiene. When left untreated, ingrown toenails can become seriously inflamed and infected. A podiatrist will evaluate the toenail to determine if conservative treatment can help. But toenail surgery is often necessary. The podiatrist will remove the nail partially or fully and dress the nail with an antibiotic solution if infected.
