While infants and toddlers may be born with foot problems, most are not noticed until kids start to walk. That is when parents should book an appointment with a podiatrist.
Podiatrists have many qualifications, including a bachelor’s degree in biology or similar subject before they go to podiatry school. During their studies, they learn about the anatomy of feet and how they work.
What Every Parent Needs to Know
A podiatrist is a university-trained health professional who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of problems with the feet, toenails and lower legs. Podiatrists work in private clinics, community health centres and public hospitals, and they treat patients of all ages. They also educate people and communities on good foot care to prevent injury and disease.
Many parents think about a family doctor and a dentist when they consider their children’s healthcare, but a podiatrist is often overlooked. It’s important for young children to visit podiatrist Kennington to ensure healthy development of the foot and ankle. The goal is to identify any potential issues and correct them before they become serious.
Most children’s foot problems are minor, and they can be easily treated at the time of their appointment. The podiatrist will look at the child’s feet and lower legs, watch them walk (to check their balance and gait) and examine the shoes they wear. They will ask the child questions and take X-rays, if necessary.
If a child’s feet have been injured, the podiatrist may recommend a cast to immobilise them. They will also recommend a course of treatment to manage the injury, which may include orthotic devices, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs.
A podiatrist can also diagnose and treat other health conditions. For example, if a child has diabetes, which is a condition where the body doesn’t produce or properly use insulin, it can affect their foot and leg circulation and lead to sores, ulcers, infections and even gangrene. A podiatrist can advise on how to best manage a child’s diabetes, including ensuring they are wearing comfortable footwear and visiting their podiatrist for regular foot checkups.
A podiatrist can also assist with a range of other problems, including bunions, ingrown toenails, heel pain, sports injuries and poor posture. Many children have very active lifestyles, and a podiatrist can help make sure that their feet are up to the challenge! They can also advise on the best footwear for babies, toddlers and growing kids, as well as kids who are active in team sports, dance, cycling or other activities.
The Importance of Foot Checkups
While many people treat their feet as if they are completely separate from the rest of their body, they are actually one of the first parts of your body to show warning signs of more serious medical conditions. For this reason, it’s vital that you get a regular checkup from a podiatrist.
During your appointment, the podiatrist will perform a visual examination of your feet and lower legs to look for any changes in the skin, nails, hair growth, or swelling. They will also check the feeling in your feet, as well as the blood flow in your feet and lower legs by checking your pedal pulses and capillary refill. Pedal pulses and capillary refill are performed by squeezing or pressing on the bottom of your foot and then releasing it to see how long it takes for the color to return to the skin.
Your podiatrist will also take a history of your current health, as well as your family’s medical history. They will then perform a series of tests to assess the strength and flexibility of your foot and ankles, as well as your balance and gait.
The results of these tests will help the podiatrist determine the cause of your foot and ankle pain. If it’s caused by an injury, they will work with you to ensure the injury heals properly and prevent any future complications. If the podiatrist determines that your pain is caused by a chronic condition like rheumatoid arthritis, they may recommend a change in your diet and exercise regimen to relieve the pressure on your joints.
To help you stay healthy, the podiatrist will suggest that you do daily foot inspections, looking for cuts, scrapes, abrasions, dry or cracked skin, or any other abnormalities. They will also ask you to wear comfortable shoes that are the right size, and to avoid putting too much pressure on your feet by wearing high heels or tight socks. They will also advise you to keep the blood flowing in your feet by putting them up when sitting, wriggling your toes, and by exercising regularly with low impact activities.
Preventing Foot Injuries
If you take the time to see a podiatrist before your injuries or problems occur, you will save yourself from paying an expensive price later. They can help you prevent and treat foot, ankle and lower leg injuries by reviewing your lifestyle habits of physical activity, footwear and other factors that could cause injury.
A podiatrist can also perform a variety of surgical procedures. They can correct bunions, hammertoes and calluses by using surgery, splints, medication and other means. They can also provide advice and therapy for common conditions such as arthritis, flat feet, and toe deformities.
The most important way to prevent foot injuries is to stretch and warm up before exercising or playing sports. Your podiatrist can advise you on the proper ways to stretch and exercise so that your muscles are ready for your workout or sport. They may also recommend wearing cushioned athletic shoes. They can reduce the stress on your feet, ankles and knees by absorbing shock.
Running and conditioning on soft surfaces like grass or a treadmill will also help protect your feet and joints from sprains and other injuries. If you are a serious athlete, make sure that you talk to your podiatrist before attempting to do any strenuous exercise or training.
Overtraining and ramping up your mileage or speedwork too quickly can result in serious foot and ankle injuries. Injuries to the feet and ankles can sideline you for weeks or months, and no athlete wants to miss out on their sport because of an injury.
Podiatrists can diagnose and treat a variety of problems involving the foot and ankle, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bunions and hammertoes, corns, calluses and other skin conditions. They can also recommend orthotics and assistive devices to help you cope with your condition.
A podiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed 3 years of college and then graduate school, similar to an orthopedist (doctors who specialize in orthopedics). Both doctors are licensed in the state of Arizona and treat injuries of the foot, ankle and lower leg. However, podiatrists have a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree while orthopedists receive a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree.
Keeping Your Child’s Feet Healthy
A podiatrist is a doctor who specializes in treating the feet and ankles. They are able to treat a wide range of conditions including bunions, ingrown toenails, heel and lower back pain, circulation problems associated with diabetes, foot deformities and sports injuries.
It is important for parents to understand that their children’s feet are still growing and developing. It is normal for kids to experience foot and ankle pain, however, it is not normal for it to be chronic or ongoing. When kids complain of foot pain or are tripping or falling frequently, it is time to see the podiatrist.
During a consultation with a podiatrist, the doctor will ask questions about the child’s medical history, look at the way that the child stands and walks and inspect the condition of their feet and ankles. They will also perform in-person tests and X-rays as needed to diagnose the problem and create a treatment plan.
Some common problems that a podiatrist treats include arthritis (which can be caused by inflammation, wear and tear or injury of the feet), bunions, ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, sprains and fractures. They may recommend physical therapy, medications, shoes or inserts or in severe cases surgery.
Podiatrists also treat athletes for a variety of problems including blisters, calluses, ingrown toenails, corns and swollen feet. They can help athletes reduce their risk of injuries and improve performance.
A podiatrist can also treat the common ailments of the elderly including diabetes, gout and peripheral vascular disease. They can prescribe special shoes, inserts and orthotics to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of diseases like neuropathy or vascular disease.
It is a good idea to make an appointment with a Evolve Podiatry Bendigo for the entire family as it is easy to overlook foot care for other parts of the body as we age. Keeping your feet healthy is the key to a happy and active lifestyle.