The field of podiatry has become popular in recent years. Research has shown people are living longer, and elderly patients often have foot conditions that need to be tended to. A podiatrist is a medical professional that treats a wide variety of foot and ankle ailments, ranging from hammertoe to broken ankles. Additional responsibilities can include performing foot and ankle surgery, prescribing medications, and attending conferences to keep informed of the latest podiatric advances. The mandatory education requirements begin with obtaining a bachelor's degree, followed by enrolling in a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program for four years and earning a DPM degree. The last step is to begin a residency program where medical and surgical experience is gained at a hospital. In addition to these educational needs, it is beneficial for future podiatrists to have compassion, interpersonal skills, and be detail-oriented. Podiatry can be a gratifying field of medicine, and if you are considering this as a career option, it is suggested that you confer with this type of doctor who can help you to determine if this is right for you.
If you are dealing with pain in your feet and ankles, you may want to seek help from a podiatrist. Feel free to contact one of our podiatrists from Advanced Ankle & Foot Surgeons. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a doctor of podiatric medicine who diagnoses and treats conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Your podiatrist may specialize in a certain field such as sports medicine, wound care, pediatrics, and diabetic care. Podiatrists have the ability to become board certified through training, clinical experience, and then taking an exam.
What Do Podiatrists Do?
On a daily basis, a podiatrist may perform the following activities:
It is very important that you take care of your feet. It’s easy to take having healthy feet for granted, however foot problems tend to be among the most common health conditions. Podiatrists can help diagnose and treat a variety of feet related conditions, so it is crucial that you visit one if you need assistance.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in O'Fallon, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
An ingrown toenail can develop when the side of the nail essentially grows into the skin surrounding the toenail. Not only can this condition be unsightly, it can also cause a patient discomfort and pain. Ingrown toenails have an interesting relationship to pus that patients ought to be familiar with. Pus can sometimes ooze from an ingrown toenail if there is an infection. In these circumstances, the pus may appear to be a green or yellow color. Pus can therefore be a helpful indicator that something might be wrong with your ingrown toenail. Infections are nothing to take lightly, and if you believe you have one, seek out medical attention. If you are someone that struggles with a case of ingrown toenails, it is suggested that you contact a podiatrist today for treatment and advice.
Ingrown toenails can become painful if they are not treated properly. For more information about ingrown toenails, contact one of our podiatrists of Advanced Ankle & Foot Surgeons. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown toenails occur when a toenail grows sideways into the bed of the nail, causing pain, swelling, and possibly infection.
Causes
Prevention
Because ingrown toenails are not something found outside of shoe-wearing cultures, going barefoot as often as possible will decrease the likeliness of developing ingrown toenails. Wearing proper fitting shoes and using proper cutting techniques will also help decrease your risk of developing ingrown toenails.
Treatment
Ingrown toenails are a very treatable foot condition. In minor cases, soaking the affected area in salt or antibacterial soaps will not only help with the ingrown nail itself, but also help prevent any infections from occurring. In more severe cases, surgery is an option. In either case, speaking to your podiatrist about this condition will help you get a better understanding of specific treatment options that are right for you.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in O'Fallon, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
Practicing proper foot care is imperative for soccer players as their feet are their primary tools for playing the game. The feet are subject to wear and tear and must be tended to if effectiveness and efficiency are sought. Parents who have kids who play soccer should make sure to check their children’s feet regularly and encourage their children to let them know if they see or feel something amiss with their feet. Routine foot care includes washing the drying the feet daily, making sure there is no excess moisture left between the toes. Feet should be washed as soon as possible after exercise, and if this is to be done in public showers or locker rooms, shower shoes should be worn to prevent fungal infections. Shoes and cleats should fit properly. Padding can be added to support the heels. Toenails should be trimmed regularly and stretching and strengthening exercises should be done to keep the feet and ankles strong and flexible. Performing such care will go a long way in preventing scrapes, athlete’s foot, blisters, and other foot and ankle-related soccer injuries. If your child has sustained a foot or ankle injury from playing soccer, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Sports related foot and ankle injuries require proper treatment before players can go back to their regular routines. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Advanced Ankle & Foot Surgeons. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Sports Related Foot and Ankle Injuries
Foot and ankle injuries are a common occurrence when it comes to athletes of any sport. While many athletes dismiss the initial aches and pains, the truth is that ignoring potential foot and ankle injuries can lead to serious problems. As athletes continue to place pressure and strain the area further, a mild injury can turn into something as serious as a rupture and may lead to a permanent disability. There are many factors that contribute to sports related foot and ankle injuries, which include failure to warm up properly, not providing support or wearing bad footwear. Common injuries and conditions athletes face, including:
Sports related injuries are commonly treated using the RICE method. This includes rest, applying ice to the injured area, compression and elevating the ankle. More serious sprains and injuries may require surgery, which could include arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation and therapy may also be required in order to get any recovering athlete to become fully functional again. Any unusual aches and pains an athlete sustains must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in O'Fallon, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
An individual can experience many different types of pain in the feet in many different areas of the feet. The particular kind of pain that a patient feels, and where it is located, might tell a podiatrist important information about the nature of the underlying condition. One area of the foot where an individual might experience pain is on the top of the foot. Someone living with this type of pain might feel mild or severe pain, and it might arise when walking or standing still. There are several different conditions that might explain why an individual experiences this kind of pain. For example, overuse activities might be the primary culprit behind pain of this sort. This is to say that activities such as running and jumping might be contributing to pain on the top of the foot. If you are someone that struggles with this kind of pain, it is suggested that you consult with a podiatrist today.
Foot Pain
Foot pain can be extremely painful and debilitating. If you have a foot pain, consult with one of our podiatrists from Advanced Ankle & Foot Surgeons. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Causes
Foot pain is a very broad condition that could be caused by one or more ailments. The most common include:
Diagnosis
To figure out the cause of foot pain, podiatrists utilize several different methods. This can range from simple visual inspections and sensation tests to X-rays and MRI scans. Prior medical history, family medical history, and any recent physical traumatic events will all be taken into consideration for a proper diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment depends upon the cause of the foot pain. Whether it is resting, staying off the foot, or having surgery; podiatrists have a number of treatment options available for foot pain.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in O'Fallon, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Custom orthotics, or shoe inserts, should be periodically replaced. Orthotics must fit properly to give you the best results. Protect your feet and ankles!
