5 Common Foot Problems Treated by Podiatrists

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Imagine waking up every morning with a sharp, stabbing pain in the heel of your foot that makes every step a painful ordeal. This, more than likely, would be due to foot problems debilitating foot ailments. 

Your foot problems may include ingrown toenails, hammertoes, and more, which can be extremely painful and limit your abilities to walk, work, and enjoy life. These are issues that, all too often, individuals would rather ignore, believing they will go away on their own.

The solution, however, lies in the expertise of a podiatrist. They specialize in diagnosing, treating, and preventing foot conditions that, if left untreated, may continue to deteriorate over time.  

So, whether it is through conservative treatment, such as orthotics or surgical intervention, when necessary, a podiatrist offers precise solutions to ensure you reclaim control of your mobility and comfort.  

Below are five common foot problems treated by podiatrists.  

1. Bunions  

A bunion is an abnormal growth of the big toe joint, in which the toe leans towards the second toe. This action causes the joint to protrude outward. So, the misalignment of joints induces pain and inflammation and inhibits finding suitable footwear.

Generally, bunions may be caused by heredity but may also be aggravated by shoes that are ill-fitted, cramped, or too tight, especially those having a narrow toe box or high heels. 

For this reason, early medical intervention certainly can be extremely helpful. Search for a top podiatrist nearby to get the treatment as soon as possible. 

For instance, if you live in Sydney, you should search for the best podiatrist Sydney who treats such a problem with advanced techniques tailored to your needs.  

These can include conservative treatment modalities such as padding and orthotics, which redistribute pressure, and adjustments in footwear to K-laser treatment in grave instances. 

As a result, their expertise can bring you instant relief. 

2. Plantar Fasciitis  

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Plantar fasciitis can be one of the most common reasons of heel pain due to inflammation of the plantar fascia- a strong band of tissue running along the bottom of the foot.  

This condition might be due to overuse, flat feet, high arches, or unsupportive footwear. You might feel a sharp pain in the heel after a long rest or early morning hours if you have this problem.

The treatment options prescribed by a podiatrist may include physical therapy, stretching exercises, anti-inflammatory medications, and custom orthotics to improve foot support. 

Also, advanced therapies for chronic cases include injections of corticosteroids or extracorporeal shock wave therapy.  

You may even be suggested to take preventive measures like maintaining a healthy weight, wearing shoes with good support, avoiding repetitive standing, and more.  

3. Ingrown Toenails  

An ingrown toenail is an irritation of the flesh brought about by a toenail edge digging into it. It causes some reddening around the region and can be very painful. 

This may further lead to infection if left unattended. Moreover, poor toenail-trimming habits, toe injuries, and tight shoes are a few things that might increase the risk of ingrown toenail conditions. 

Fortunately, podiatrists specialize in the alleviation of ingrown toenails with various effective and minimally invasive treatments. They delicately remove the ingrown portion of the nail to relieve pressure, thereby taking care of any developed infection.  

In other cases, when there is a recurrence, a minor surgical procedure may be suggested by a podiatrist that will permanently prevent the nail from digging into the skin. This generally consists of a partial matricectomy or reshaping of the nail matrix to stop further irritation. 

4. Athlete’s Foot  

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the skin of the feet, particularly between the toes. Its symptoms include itching, redness, scaling, and, in severe cases, blistering or cracking of the skin. 

The warm, moist environment of a shoe can encourage the growth of this fungus; hence, the disease is highly contagious and is most often contracted in locker rooms, swimming pools, and showers. 

Depending on the severity of the infection, podiatrists usually treat fungal infections of the foot with topical or oral antifungal medications.  

Other measures might also be prescribed to help prevent recurrence, such as keeping the feet dry, wearing ventilated shoes, and avoiding barefoot walking in public places.  

Furthermore, podiatrists may recommend you use antifungal powders often to maintain the general health of your feet.  

5. Hammertoes  

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Hammertoes are a common toe deformity where one or more toes have an abnormal middle-joint flexion that takes the shape of a hammer. 

Some of its common causes include muscle imbalances, arthritis, and poor-fitting shoes that crowd the toes. It can produce severe pain, corns and limitation of walking unless treated early. 

Podiatrists can treat this with custom orthotics, splinting, and physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the involved toes. Moreover, if you have an advanced case of such a problem, your podiatrist may even suggest surgical correction to realign the toe joints.  

However, in general, prevention and treatment are based on wearing comfortable and well-fitting shoes with abundant toe space. 

Conclusion  

Keeping your feet healthy is a major part of maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle. From the ache of bunions to the sharp pain of plantar fasciitis and the irritation of athlete’s foot, the hindrances of common foot problems can very easily interfere with daily activities.  

Other conditions, such as ingrown toenails or the deformity of hammertoes, may seem minor initially but can easily worsen if left unaddressed. Fortunately, all these are concerns podiatrists specialize in to restore comfort and mobility to their patients.  

Remember, your feet take you through life; give them due care. So, take good care of your feet today to step into a pain-free tomorrow!