The Benefits Offered By An Austin Foot Doctor

By Leticia Jensen


One of the biggest misfortunes that can befall any person is to lose mobility or to experience severe comfort when moving around. Yet many people experience chronic discomfort in the feet, lower legs, knees and ankles. It is astonishing to learn that most problems with the feet can be ascribed to neglect and a lack of proper care, as any Austin foot doctor will testify.

Medical specialists that focus on the treatment of ailments to do with the feet, the ankles and the lower legs are called podiatrists. Podiatrists are medical practitioners that have undergone years of additional training in order to specialize. It is interesting to note that podiatrists are part of a very select group of medical specialists that are trained to provide both medical and surgical treatment options.

The feet can be injured by a host of things. However, the main reason for injury to the feet remains the wearing of the wrong type of shoes. Perhaps it is not strange to learn that the vast majority of patients seen by podiatrists are female and that the vast majority of problems can be directly ascribed to the wearing of high heeled shoes. The second most vulnerable group is active sportspeople.

The good news is that there is much that can be done to prevent injury to and disease of the feet and ankles. By far the most important preventive measure is to be sure to wear the correct shoes. Shoes should always fit well and the toes should never be pinched. Experts warn that shoes must never be bought when the feet are swollen or tired.

Apart from not wearing the correct shoes, poor hygiene is the biggest cause of disease of the feet. The importance of cleaning the feet regularly and to keep them dry at all times simply cannot be overemphasized. Care should also be taken to keep socks dry. Moisture is the main cause of a host of fungal diseases. Trying to deal with problems such as corns at home is also a sure road to more serious problems.

No discomfort, pain or any visible symptoms such as swelling, rashes or growths should ever be ignored. The sooner medical help is sought, the quicker the problem can be dealt with and the less likely it is that more serious problems can ensue. Most podiatrists will testify to the fact that their most serious cases came about because the patient waited too long before seeking medical help.

Many podiatrists bemoan the fact that so many general practitioners treat problems of the feet and ankles themselves, rather than referring their patients to a specialist. It is one thing to offer treatment that will deal with the symptoms, such as swelling and pain, but general practitioners often fail to diagnose underlying problems that may become much more serious in time.

A Podiatrist can help their patients to look after their feet and ankles. Many specialists concentrate on helping their patients to prevent serious problems. With proper care, good hygiene and an awareness of the importance of looking after the feet nobody should experience pain or reduced mobility.




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