The American Podiatric Medical Association reports that 77% of adults have experienced foot injury, infection, and foot-related disorders. Some of the complications disappear after a while, but others can take a particularly long time. For any foot or ankle injury, visit a podiatrist at urgent care for feet.
Who is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a doctor specializing in treating ankles, feet, and lower legs to restore their normal function, reduce pain, and speed up healing after surgery or an injury. These medical professionals can give prescriptions, refer a patient for physical therapy, and perform surgeries.
When should one visit a podiatrist?
Healthy feet ensure mobility and balance. Untreated foot-related problems can lead to issues in your legs or back or put you at risk of falling. Foot issues can manifest because of serious undiagnosed health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or liver disease. Consulting a podiatrist for foot-related issues is a good first step; a podiatrist can help treat symptoms and refer specialists for further screening to detect any underlying health issues.
Not every foot or ankle pain warrants a visit to an urgent care podiatrist, but there are many situations when it’s best to get promptly treated by a podiatrist.
Below are the reasons to visit an urgent care podiatrist;
- Pain In The Ankles Or Feet
The ankles and feet are the active body parts. This explains why many people experience pain in those areas from time to time. In some cases, the sensation disappears with the use of self-care methods. However, it can linger due to the following conditions:
- Nerve Damage causes numbness and severe pain in your feet.
- Poor Blood Flow causes feet to swell.
- Osteoarthritis: Health issue caused due to wearing down of cartilage.
- Tight Footwear: Wearing tight footwear or killer heels may lead to structural problems like the deformation of toes.
- Inflammatory Arthritis: This is a health condition that results from the inflammation of one or several joints that causes pain and stiffness in the feet.
- Painful Ingrown Toenail
An ingrown toenail is a condition where the corner or the side of one’s toenail irritates the toe’s skin. Redness, swelling, pain, or infection may be seen. Seeing a podiatrist is a good option if the discomfort is severe enough to hinder your movement.
- A Fractured Bone In Your Foot
Among the signs of a broken bone in the foot is difficulty in running, standing, or walking. A broken bone can lead to severe health conditions like nerve damage and bone infections if not treated. Therefore, if you suspect a broken bone in your foot, seek the help of a podiatrist to prevent further complications.
- Diabetes
Diabetes is usually a chronic disease that might lead to different medical issues like kidney damage, stroke, and heart attack. Worse still, diabetes may contribute to the development of foot problems and non-healing wounds. So if you’re a diabetic, make it a habit to visit a podiatric doctor regularly to identify the issue and treat it to prevent future complications.
- Nail Infection
Nail infections are commonly triggered by toe injuries, ingrown toenails, cracked nails, and other similar issues. The skin around the affected area becomes tender, swollen, and painful, and If it lasts longer than six weeks, it’s time to seek treatment from a podiatrist.
- Foot injury
Athletes have a higher risk of foot pain and injuries than others. This is because they spend a lot of time in activities that put tremendous pressure on their feet. Athletes may sustain a sprain, fracture, or injury in their feet at any moment. So if you’re an athlete experiencing foot pain or injury, head to a podiatry clinic at once. Podiatrists are the most qualified professionals to examine your foot, make an accurate diagnosis, and help you recover faster.
- Ankle fracture
Broken ankles are painful and temporarily incapacitating. Fractures in ankles are usually caused by a rotational injury, where the ankle becomes twisted, turned, or rolled while walking or running, such as during sports activity. Ankles can also be fractured by a high-force impact, such as a fall or automobile collision. Ankles carry the weight of our bodies, so it’s crucial to seek urgent medical assistance from a podiatrist.
- Tendon rupture
Tendons are tough bands of tissue that attach your muscles to your bones. A tear may be caused by an injury or increased pressure on the tendon that occurs during sports or a fall. Your risk may be higher if you have a weak tendon. Weak tendons may be caused by tendonitis, use of steroids, older age, and chronic conditions such as arthritis.
- Laceration or cut
A laceration or cut refers to a skin wound. Unlike an abrasion, none of the skin is missing. A cut is typically considered a wound caused by a sharp object, like a shard of glass. Lacerations tend to be caused by blunt trauma. Treatment involves stopping the bleeding and cleaning and dressing the wound. Deeper cuts may need stitches to stop bleeding and reduce scarring.
Don’t ignore the pain in your ankle or feet. Visit an emergency podiatrist in thousand oaks at urgent care for feet.
