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The PodIatrist

 

Podiatry is a branch of medicine that deals specifically with afflictions associated with the foot and lower limbs. The foot has a range of complexities associated with its structure that can easily affect a patient's way of life if problems are not dealt with in a timely manner.

 

A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM) who is also known as a podiatric physician or surgeon. They are qualified to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot. 

Your feet must last a lifetime, and most people walk an amazing 75,000 miles on their feet by the time they reach age 50. Regular foot care is therefore important and can make sure your feet are up to the task. With proper detection, intervention, and care, most foot and ankle problems can be lessened or prevented and the podiatirst can help you to avoid such problems.

 

Podiatrists provide preventative care, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of problems affecting the feet, ankle and lower legs.

Their specialist skills focus on tending infections, ailments, defects and injuries of the foot and lower leg, as well as treating foot and nail conditions related to other major health disorders.

Podiatrist can help patients with arthritis which is generally accompanied by an increase in the fluid in the joints. Each foot has 33 joints that can be afflicted with arthritis.

 

They also help patients manage diabetes successfully to avoid foot-related
complications.​  The Podiatrist is also concerned about hypertension and vascular disease.

Podaitrist also work closely with sports injuries related to the foot and ankle and they are key in helping to prevent re-occuring problems for athletes and children in sports. 

A child showing signs or symptoms of foot and ankle problems should be promptly examined by a Podiatrist.

Five Signs Your Child May Have a Foot Problem

 

Foot and ankle problems in children often go unnoticed because the signs and symptoms can be subtle, and sometimes children can’t explain what’s wrong. But it’s important to protect growing feet and have problems checked out early.

 

Here are five signs that you can watch for in children:
 

1. Your Kids Can’t Keep Up with Their Peers
     If children lag behind in sports or backyard play, it may be because their feet or legs are tired. Fatigue is common when
     children have flat feet. The muscles in the feet and legs tire easily because the feet are not functioning as well as they
     should. 
 

2. Children Voluntarily Withdraw from Activities they Usually Enjoy

    If children are reluctant to participate, it may be due to heel pain, a problem often seen in children between the ages of 8
    and 14. Repetitive stress from sports may cause muscle strain and inflammation of the growth plate, a weak area at the
    back of a child’s heel.
 
3. They Don’t Want to Show You Their Feet
    Children may feel pain or notice a change in the appearance of their feet or nails but don’t tell their parents because they
    fear a trip to the doctor’s office. Surgeons encourage parents to make a habit of inspecting their child’s feet starting at a
    young age. Look for any changes such as calluses, growths, skin discoloration, or redness and swelling around the
    toenails.
 

4. Your Child Often Trips and Falls
    Repeated clumsiness may be a sign of in-toeing, balance problems or neuromuscular conditions.
 

5.The Child Complains of Pain
   It is never normal for a child to have foot pain. Injuries may seem  minor, but if pain or swelling last more than a few days,
   have your child’s foot examined.

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