Archives

podiatrist

When to Visit a Podiatrist

Healthy Foot, , , , ,


Visiting a podiatrist, a medical professional specializing in diagnosing and treating conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures, is crucial for maintaining foot health and overall well-being. Here are some specific situations when you should consider seeing a podiatrist:

1. Persistent Foot or Ankle Pain

  • Symptoms: Continuous pain in your feet or ankles that doesn’t improve with rest or over-the-counter pain medication.
  • Potential Issues: Conditions such as arthritis, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, or stress fractures.

2. Heel Pain

  • Symptoms: Sharp pain in the heel, especially first thing in the morning or after standing for long periods.
  • Potential Issues: Plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, or Achilles tendonitis.

3. Foot Deformities

  • Symptoms: Visible deformities such as bunions, hammertoes, or high arches.
  • Potential Issues: Structural abnormalities that can worsen over time and affect mobility.

4. Numbness, Tingling, or Burning Sensations

  • Symptoms: Unexplained numbness, tingling, or burning in the feet.
  • Potential Issues: Nerve problems like peripheral neuropathy or tarsal tunnel syndrome.

5. Changes in Skin or Nails

  • Symptoms: Discoloration, thickening, or ingrown nails; blisters, sores, or warts on your feet.
  • Potential Issues: Fungal infections, bacterial infections, warts, or skin cancers.

6. Swelling or Redness

  • Symptoms: Persistent swelling, redness, or warmth in the feet or ankles.
  • Potential Issues: Infections, gout, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

7. Diabetes Management

  • Symptoms: Routine care for those with diabetes, even without foot problems.
  • Potential Issues: High risk of foot complications such as ulcers, infections, and neuropathy.

8. Injuries

  • Symptoms: Sprains, fractures, or wounds that are not healing.
  • Potential Issues: Proper diagnosis and treatment to ensure correct healing and prevent long-term damage.

9. Difficulty Walking

  • Symptoms: Changes in the way you walk, such as limping or favoring one foot.
  • Potential Issues: Musculoskeletal issues that need to be addressed to improve mobility.

10. Athletic Injuries and Performance Issues

  • Symptoms: Recurring injuries or pain associated with physical activities.
  • Potential Issues: Overuse injuries, improper footwear, or gait abnormalities.

Preventive Care

Even if you don’t have specific symptoms, it can be beneficial to see a podiatrist for preventive care, especially if you have risk factors such as a family history of foot problems, a job that requires standing for long periods, or participation in high-impact sports.

Regular visits to a podiatrist can help maintain foot health, detect potential problems early, and provide appropriate treatment to avoid complications.podiatrist

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis and Podiatry

Foot pain, , , , , ,

Osteoporosis, a condition characterized by low bone density and increased risk of fractures, can have significant implications for podiatric care. The bones of the feet and ankles are not immune to the effects of osteoporosis, and podiatrists play a crucial role in both the prevention and management of foot-related issues associated with this condition.

Call to schedule an appointment with our Chicago podiatrists . Our podiatrists can provide a proper diagnosis based on your symptoms, medical history, and potentially recommend imaging studies or other diagnostic tests to identify the underlying cause and determine the appropriate treatment.

Here are several ways in which osteoporosis intersects with podiatry:

  1. Fracture Risk Assessment: Podiatrists may assess patients with osteoporosis for their risk of foot and ankle fractures. Individuals with osteoporosis are at increased risk of stress fractures, particularly in weight-bearing bones such as the calcaneus (heel bone) and metatarsals (bones of the midfoot).
  2. Footwear Recommendations: Podiatrists may provide guidance on appropriate footwear for individuals with osteoporosis. Shoes with good support, cushioning, and stability can help reduce the risk of falls and fractures, especially in those with weakened bones.
  3. Fall Prevention Strategies: Podiatrists can educate patients with osteoporosis about strategies to prevent falls, which can significantly reduce the risk of fractures. This may include exercises to improve balance and strength, as well as removing hazards in the home environment.
  4. Orthotic Devices: Custom orthotic devices may be prescribed by podiatrists to help redistribute pressure away from vulnerable areas of the foot, reducing the risk of developing ulcers or stress fractures, especially in individuals with osteoporosis-related foot deformities.
  5. Management of Foot Deformities: Osteoporosis can contribute to foot deformities such as bunions, hammertoes, and Charcot foot. Podiatrists can provide conservative treatments such as orthotics, padding, and footwear modifications to alleviate symptoms and prevent further complications.
  6. Wound Care: Individuals with osteoporosis are at increased risk of foot wounds due to decreased bone density and altered biomechanics. Podiatrists play a vital role in the management of foot ulcers, including debridement, offloading, and wound dressings, to prevent infection and promote healing.
  7. Collaborative Care: Podiatrists often work closely with other healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with osteoporosis, such as primary care physicians, orthopedic surgeons, and physical therapists, to ensure comprehensive management and optimal outcomes.

Overall, podiatrists play a critical role in the prevention, assessment, and management of foot-related issues in individuals with osteoporosis, helping to improve mobility, reduce pain, and enhance quality of life.

 

minimal invasive bunion surgery

Minimal Incision Bunion Surgery

bunions, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bunion Surgery. Minimal Incision Bunion Surgery

A bunion (hallux valgus) is a condition in which your big toe has a protruding bump at its base on the inside of the foot. This bump occurs when your foot alignment changes and causes your big toe to move toward the smaller toes.

Minimally invasive bunion surgery, also known as keyhole bunion surgery, is a procedure to treat a foot condition called a bunion or hallux valgus. During minimally invasive bunion surgery, a few small incisions are made to access the bone around the bunion, as opposed to a much larger incision made during an open bunion surgery that cuts across layers of tissue around the bone, causing more postoperative pain, a larger scar, and damage to the surrounding soft tissues.

If you are considering surgery for a painful bunion, a minimally invasive surgery can reliably address the appearance of the foot as well as the pain associated with the deformity.

Our board-certified podiatrists in 4 Chicago offices specialize in bunion correction surgery & use minimal incision surgery.

Minimal pain, minimal scar, minimal blood loss during the surgery, minimal recovery time. Providing podiatry services including custom braces such as Arizona brace and more.

Call : 773-205-0106 and visit website: https://europeanfootandankleclinic.com