26 Feb Foot Problem Prevention is Better Than Cure
As the saying goes, ‘Prevention is better than cure’. If you tend to overlook your foot problems, be it a persistent heel pain, bunions or ingrown toenails, you need to read on. Our feet give us cues to our overall wellbeing, serving as indicators of broader health issues occurring elsewhere such as arthritis and cardiovascular disease. When you visit a podiatrist, they can identify a problem early and prevent it from becoming a more serious issue later on. That’s why our podiatrists urge you to book in for a routine foot check-up – even if there’s no discernible foot problem – to keep your feet healthy for years to come.
Who Should Visit a Podiatrist?
The answer depends on several factors like your age, underlying health issues like diabetes or sports injuries, and if you’ve noticed anything different in your feet like swelling, discolouration and pain.
Children:
Bring your school-aged kids to see our podiatrists to ensure their feet are developing correctly and to tackle issues like flat feet or pigeon toes. If your child is taking up a new sport, our podiatrists will ensure they wear the right sport-specific shoes that will give them adequate cushioning and support. We also make custom orthotics in our in-house laboratory for your child’s shoes, if needed.
Adults:
As we age, issues like bunions, heel spurs, and fungal infections can start creeping in. A yearly check-up could be a smart move to fend off these troubles. Preventing or managing foot conditions is the aim of the game.
Senior Citizens:
If you’re +55 and can feel the onset of age-related food problems like arthritis and circulation issues, a check-up every six months can make a big difference in keeping your feet healthy.
Diabetic Patients:
Diabetes can lead to foot complications like neuropathy and ulcers, making early detection and intervention vital to prevent serious issues such as infections and amputations. Our podiatrists clean and dress diabetic foot ulcers for patients on a regular basis and will work with your doctor to come up with a treatment plan. Find out more here.
Sports Persons:
Our sports podiatrists can help with injury prevention and injury recovery. Visit us for a routine check-up, to address biomechanical issues like overpronation (foot rolls outwards) and supination (foot rolls inwards). They will do a detailed gait analysis, or get any sports-related injuries like shin splints, runner’s knee, achilles tendonitis or stress fractures treated and lower the likelihood of recurring issues.
4 Signs to Visit a Podiatrist
Here are four key signs indicating it’s time to step into a podiatrist’s office for expert care and attention.
Persistent Foot Pain:
Pain in your feet or ankles that does not subside even after RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) needs to be addressed immediately as it could be a sprain or a condition like plantar fasciitis.
Swelling or Numbness:
If you feel tingling or your feet seem swollen/red, it might signal an infection or nerve damage, so please get it checked out.
Ingrown Toenails:
This painful condition can be treated by our podiatrists who will expertly cut back the harmful toenail and relieve pressure off that area. In more serious cases, our podiatrists will need to perform toenail surgery.
Fungal Infections:
Got a stubborn foot fungus or a fungal nail infection? Our podiatrists use Lunula Laser Treatment to treat it and keep it from coming back.