Foot Injuries
We perform almost all our movements with feet. Without them, you can never even imagine riding that bike that was your gift last Christmas or going for the hike on those beautiful trails outside the city. Anyways, whatever the reason is, athletes and people involved in sports are more prone to have their feet injured and exposed to infections.
In the case of diabetes, foot injuries are also common so for that purpose, your regular therapist can be your way to go. But otherwise, we advise you to visit your injury doctor for your foot condition
When to visit the doctor?
You know that it is important to visit your doctor when there is a sensation of consistent discomfort in your feet.
- Stinging pain in feet occurring consistently and not fading away
- Swelling that remains after days and causes discomfort and tingling while walking
- Burning, Tingling and unpleasant sensations occurring continuously at the bottom of the feet.
Urgent Care
While some of the injuries can wait until the reaction starts to show up, others require immediate medical care. You need to seek immediate medical help in case your foot has the following medical issues:
- Open Bloody Wound that is extremely prone to getting infected
- Puss is eliminating from the foot
- Foot is intolerable of any weight
- An infection
Home Remedies
If the situation is not very bad you can also try to treat yourself at home initially. Some of the most convenient home remedies that can be effective in case of a minor injury are:
- Rest
Take bed rest and avoid any form of movement that causes your feet to ache. If its just weariness from the recent adventure you have been in, it will go away.
- Ice Pack
Put an ice pack on your foot to comfort yourself from the pain and swelling.
- Medicines
While it is considered harmful to self-medicate yourself, taking lighter pain killers has become a bit common.
Despite the basic home remedies if you do not get the comfort that you are seeking, it is the best time to call your doctor and book the first free appointment.
In the case of Diabetes
Diabetes your nerves of the feet lose communication with the brain. Hence if you have diabetes you are least likely to feel the pain.
Even though the pain cannot be felt, diabetic people have more chances of damaging their feet because of the injuries faced by diabetic people cannot be healed easily.
In case of a foot injury, it is best to see your doctor immediately.
Still no Recovery
If it has been a while and your foot injury is not recovering despite treatment from your regular doctor, it is time to see an orthopedic foot specialist.
Did you know that an orthopedic of foot injuries is known as a Podiatrist?
Podiatrist
A podiatrist is a doctor who works to fix the issues in your feet. Such doctors specialize in the ankle, foot, connecting joints of the feet with the legs.
A while ago they were known as a chiropodist and this term is still used sometimes.
Conditions they treat
Saying that your podiatrist treats all kinds of injuries associated with the feet is easy but let’s just dig a little deeper in the types of injuries they deal in.
- Wound care
- Surgery
- Diabetes
- Pediatric
- Sports injuries
These are just some of the most common injuries that you can suffer. If your feet hurt without any reason (unless it’s obesity then it’s a reason) you need to see your foot doctor.
Despite not having any injuries of any kind, it is a good practice to keep up to date with your medical condition and keep the health of your feet intact by the advice and regular checkup of your doctor.
Common problems in human feet
Some of the most common problems that a foot doctor has to deal with are:
- Corns
- Warns
- Hammertoes
- Flat feet
- Foot odor
- Blisters
- Nail and foot infections
- Calluses
- Bunions
- Arthritis
- Foot injuries
- Muscle Pain
- Heel Pain
- Pain in muscle and ligaments
Risk of Developing Foot Injuries
Certain diseases and medical conditions can be a cause of discomfort in the feel of some people. Few of the most common health conditions include
- Obesity
- Arthritis
- High LDL/HDL levels
- Heart diseases
- Issues in blood circulation
People with these medical conditions are more prone to developing foot injuries but diabetes is the worst.
Symptoms
Few of the symptoms that may lead to bigger foot problems in the end are:
- Hard Skin/ heels
- Cracked Skin
- Discoloration in nails
- Numbness and tingling sensations
- Sharp pain upon movement
- Ulcer
- Pain while walking
- Smelly feet
Reason to visit a doctor
Since feet are the most important part of human structure after spine and you don’t want smaller issues lead into issues that can cause discomfort even while walking, it is better to see your regular doctor and the podiatrist.
Because of persisting pain, you will go through some tests to determine your medical condition like
- X-rays
- MRI
- Ultrasound
- Blood Test
When you feel that there is a sensation of discomfort there is an issue with either one or all of the following
- Joints
- Bones
- Muscles
- Ligaments
Conclusion
Foot care is immensely important. To keep your feet healthy, you must be healthy overall. The medical conditions in your feet can arise due to any activity or a health deficiency that can create issues. If you feel that your feet need treatment you must visit your doctor at the first possible appointment.
A podiatrist is your foot injury doctor who will help you in any issue related to the health of your feet. Even if you don’t have a medical issue with your feet, it is highly advised that you seek medical consultation now and then.
A podiatrist has spent years of mastering the health of feet and the medical conditions that are associated with it. Change your diet, habits and even shoes if you want healthy feet.
