10 Reasons To See A Podiatrist

Have you ever experienced aching joints during walks or stabbing heel pain when you get out of bed in the morning? Whether you're an athlete, have a chronic health condition, are on your feet all day, or have structural issues with your feet, visiting a podiatrist can help improve your quality of life. Podiatrists specialize in diagnosing, treating, and minimizing a variety of foot and ankle conditions.

At SynergyHealth Foot & Ankle, we treat patients of all ages and medical backgrounds, ranging from pediatric patients to college athletes. You don't have to be injured to benefit from podiatric care, as proper foot and ankle alignment sets the foundation for whole-body wellness. In this article, you will learn about the top 10 reasons patients seek podiatric care, possible causes, and available treatment options.

Reason #1: Medical Diagnosis and Treatment for Heel Pain

Heel pain is one of the most common reasons people seek out the medical expertise of a podiatrist. While plantar fasciitis tops the list, other common causes include:

• Achilles tendinitis
• Heel spurs
• Bursitis
• Stress fractures
• Fat-pad atrophy
• Nerve entrapment

A podiatrist will be able to form a diagnosis based on your symptoms, medical history, physical exam, and imaging, which may include an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI. Depending on your diagnosis, we will tailor a step-by-step recovery strategy for you.

At SynergyHealth, we work closely with a variety of doctors, including physical therapists and other specialists, to treat the root cause and not just the symptoms. For example, finding a heel spur may not necessarily explain away the pain. Heel pain often involves a comprehensive treatment plan, which may comprise:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers and icing to help bring down initial inflammation
• Custom orthotics
• Physical therapy
• Corticosteroid injections
• Athletic taping
• Immobilization
• Long-term lifestyle changes, such as proper footwear and stretching

Reason #2: Sport Injury Rehab & Recovery With a Podiatrist in Midlothian

Managing a traumatic injury can be difficult and frustrating, especially when it alters your lifestyle. Sometimes injuries such as Achilles tendon tears, fractures, or dislocations require surgical intervention. While recovering from traumatic foot and ankle injuries, it's important to avoid returning to your sport or daily activities too quickly, as it can prolong the healing process.

Our podiatrists coordinate with physical therapists to help guide you in reintroducing proper movement, gait patterns, and weight-bearing exercises. A monitored recovery process not only minimizes the risk of reinjury or improper healing, but also ensures that it is safe for you to return to your activity. A podiatrist can also help you make adjustments so that one muscle group does not overcompensate for another.

Feeling better and being ready to resume your full activity are two separate considerations. Healing the right way won't just get you back on the field faster, but you will return with full mobility and strength as well.

Reason #3: Chronic Joint Pain Management

Another common reason patients seek out our doctors at SynergyHealth Foot & Ankle is for chronic joint pain. When people think of joint pain, arthritis often comes to mind. However, there are a variety of other causes, such as:

• Overuse ankle or foot injuries (plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, bursitis)
• Nerve conditions (tarsal tunnel syndrome)
• Autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
• Other medical conditions (diabetes, gout)
• Structural foot deformities (flat feet, bunions, hammertoes)

After reviewing your medical history and a comprehensive physical exam, our podiatrists can design a personalized treatment plan to manage your discomfort. When managing chronic joint pain, it's important to have your condition properly evaluated by a medical practitioner, as they can help determine whether it stems from the joint, a nerve, or surrounding soft tissue.

Oftentimes, our doctors will treat the underlying cause and symptoms using an integrated approach, involving:

• Anti-inflammatory medications and lifestyle management
• Steroid injections
• Orthotics
• Surgical interventions if severe

To provide you with the best possible treatment, we collaborate closely with other specialists in rheumatology, physiatry, neurology, vascular surgery, physical therapy, and pedorthics. If you are concerned about chronic joint pain, contact our team of podiatrists and start your healing journey today.

Reason #4: Athlete's Foot & Fungal Skin Infections

Podiatrists don't just specialize in correcting the foot's structure but also in treating common foot infections. Fungal skin infections can become very uncomfortable and cause self-consciousness. If you notice itching, burning, cracking, or scaling on your feet or toenails, we recommend scheduling an appointment with a podiatrist for a formal diagnosis and a treatment plan to actively address the root cause.

At SynergyHealth Foot & Ankle, we can prescribe antifungal creams and medications for more stubborn cases. If the infection is on the milder side, your doctor may advise you on lifestyle management strategies, such as:

• Wearing proper footwear
• Keeping up with regular foot hygiene and using antimicrobial soaps
• Becoming mindful of moisture control in your socks and shoes
• Suggesting over-the-counter creams to manage discomfort and itching

Reason #5: Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are a condition in which the toenail grows into the skin, causing pain and posing a risk of infection. Risk factors for ingrown toenails include:

• Improper nail trimming
• Tight-fitting shoes or high heels
• Trauma to the foot or toes
• Foot deformities
• Poor foot hygiene
• Repetitive stress on the toes from sports
• Certain medical conditions (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and poor circulation)
• Genetics

While it may be tempting to repeatedly trim the ingrown toenail, it doesn't always necessarily address the root cause. Our podiatrists use gentle, safe techniques to treat the root of the nail, minimizing the chance of recurrence.

Reason #6: Sport-Specific Foot Care and Injury Prevention

When it comes to sports performance, your feet are the foundation of your movements. Listening to your body at the first signs of pain or irritation can decrease your chances of it progressing into a more severe or permanent issue down the line.

At SynergyHealth Foot & Ankle, we're equipped with the latest industry knowledge and techniques to help you optimize your performance. A podiatrist can recommend proper footwear for your sport with custom orthotics. Not only does the right footwear provide stability, allowing you to maneuver more easily and minimize the risk of injury, but it also absorbs shock and reduces pressure on your joints.

Reason #7: Toe Fungus & Other Toenail Infections

Fungal nail infections are among the most difficult to treat, which is why seeking podiatric care is essential. Also known as onychomycosis, toenail fungus can cause the nail to become discolored, thickened, and brittle. Sometimes, the infection may become painful and cause embarrassment when wearing open-toed shoes.

Toenail fungus is hard to treat with OTC remedies. Our podiatrists offer oral and topical prescription therapies, and nail debridement to treat the root cause and minimize the chances of it spreading to other nails or developing into a chronic infection. Our specialists can also help determine whether you are dealing with toe fungus or another issue that may closely mimic it.

Reason #8: Foot & Ankle Deformity Correction

Several structural foot and ankle deformities can manifest over time, such as:

• Bunions
• Hammertoes
• Flat feet
• High arches (Cavus foot)

A podiatrist uses conservative and surgical treatment methods to help realign the foot and correct issues that struggle to heal on their own. This not only helps manage symptoms, but also addresses structural correction. Our podiatrists can work with physical therapists to help tailor a customized treatment plan, which may include methods like:

• Ankle or foot bracing
• Custom orthotics
• Surgical implants for flat feet
• Foot realignment surgery
• Joint fusion to correct arthritis, flat feet, and fractures
• Ligament & tendon repair

Before deciding on a treatment plan, our podiatrists will consider your medical history, symptoms, and response to nonsurgical care.

Reason #9: Preventive Care for Patients with Diabetes, Reduced Sensation, or Poor Circulation

Muscular imbalances or an unbalanced gait can trickle up the body, leading to pain in the knees, back, or hips. Our podiatrists at SynergyHealth Foot & Ankle work closely with physical therapists to help restore proper alignment and function.

This benefit can be as simple as walking without pain, returning to sports without mobility issues, or reducing the risk of falls in older adults.

Reason #10: Abnormal Growths or Neoplasms

If you're concerned about an abnormal growth, a podiatrist can order imaging or biopsy and surgically remove it before it becomes serious. While cancerous growths in the feet are rare, early detection is key in preventing complications. Other more common growths include cysts or warts, which can be removed using various treatment methods.

Plantar warts commonly appear on the soles of the feet and are treated with cryotherapy, topical prescription medication, microwave therapy, laser therapy, or minor surgery. Cysts are often treated using conservative methods, such as switching to wearing wider shoes or using inserts to reduce irritation.

For more stubborn ganglion cysts, surgical intervention may be necessary. Your podiatrist can also drain the fluid from the cysts with a needle and inject a steroid to relieve the pressure and reduce inflammation. Some painless ganglion cysts may only require active monitoring.

SynergyHealth Foot & Ankle in Greater Richmond Can Help You Regain Your Quality of Life

Your feet are the pillars of your health. An unhealthy gait or stance can directly impact your quality of life. At SynergyHealth Foot & Ankle, we understand that chronic pain or an unsightly foot fungal infection can hold you back from participating in the things you love.

Whether you want to walk your dog around the neighborhood without heel pain or maneuver on the court with ease, consulting a podiatrist can be highly beneficial. We take a patient-centric approach, providing customized care and addressing your foot health holistically. That's why we partner with practitioners and physical therapists to provide you with the best whole-body health care.

Schedule an appointment today, and our podiatrists will design a treatment plan to help you get back on your feet, feeling confident and healthy, so you can return to doing the things you love most.