It’s quite surprising that we hardly pay attention to our feet, certainly not as much as we do to our face and other major organs.
However, feet balance our entire body and if they are not healthy, we can’t stand erect, run, play, dance or have fun!
With that, it’s essential to know something more about our feet than we commonly do.
It’s fortunate that there is a branch of medicine known as podiatry and there is Mosman foot clinic like ModPod Podiatry to turn to in case of a foot problem.
Table of Contents
Common Foot Problems
You may wonder for which foot problems you should consult a podiatrist. So, here are a few:
- Corns and calluses
- Skin problems
- Foot infections
- Foot injuries
- Overuse injuries of foot and ankle
- Nail problems e.g. ingrown toenails
Diabetic People’s Feet
Diabetic people need to take special care of their feet because they are more at risk to get foot problems. It’s because diabetes typically give rise to problems like:
- Decreased blood flow to the feet, due to which cuts and abrasions heal slowly
- Damaged nerves in feet which cause a decreased ability to feel minor trauma
Diabetic people should:
- Get at least an annual foot checkup done from a podiatrist
- Check their feet keenly every day for cuts, bruises, blisters or any signs of injury which they may not feel
- Seek treatment from a podiatrist before trying to deal with foot problems (like calluses, corns or ingrown toenails) on their own
Foot Problems of Older People
Older people too should seek the help of a podiatrist because a podiatrist can keep their feet healthy and help them stay active.
Many seniors cannot examine their feet due to limited flexibility and poor vision. Therefore they should get their feet examined by a podiatrist to ensure there is no problem and if there is any problem, it can be treated on time.
Foot Problems in Sportspersons
Another community prone to foot problems is that of sportspersons. Some common sports foot injuries that can be treated by podiatrists are:
- Arch pain (plantar fasciitis)
- Stress fractures of bones (caused by excessive activity)
- Soreness at the bottom of the big toe (sesamoiditis)
- Inflammation of the tendon behind the ankle (archilles tendonopathy)
Right from Childhood
In order to avoid foot problems from developing from childhood, children should be examined by podiatrists so that they can get help for correct foot development.
Choosing the Right Shoes
Choosing the right shoes is very important to keep the condition of your feet the healthiest. A podiatrist can help you in that.
Common people as well as people who spend most of their time on their feet and arthritic people should consult a good podiatrist like podiatrist Dee Why such as ModPod Podiatry to get help for choosing the right footwear.
- A good shoe is the one that has:
- A firm heel counter fitting snugly around the ball of heel and doesn’t slip while walking
- Adequate width and depth at toes
- An upper made of a natural material, like leather that is breathable
- A sole made from a material like rubber which is less slippery than leather and offers good shock absorption
Inserts for Shoes
Sometimes your podiatrist may prescribe orthoses, which are customised shoe inserts. They are helpful for:
- Aligning the foot’s structure in the most efficient and stable position for walking
- Decrease pain in the feet and in joints like hips and knees
If you’ve got any foot problem, seek the help of a podiatrist at the earliest and get the problem treated so that you can enjoy your life to the fullest.
