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When To See An Austin Foot Doctor

By Leticia Jensen


One of the biggest misfortunes that can befall any person is to lose mobility or to experience severe comfort when moving around. Yet many people experience chronic discomfort in the feet, lower legs, knees and ankles. It is astonishing to learn that most problems with the feet can be ascribed to neglect and a lack of proper care, as any Austin foot doctor will testify.

Podiatrists are medical specialists that have opted for advanced further training in the treatment of disease in and injuries to the feet, ankles, lower legs and the knees. They are part of a small group of specialists that are trained not only to diagnose and treat disease in their field, but to also perform surgery. Some surgical procedures are extremely intricate and they require a very high degree of skill.

There are numerous causes for injuries to the feet or parts of the lower legs. It is common in active sportspeople, but most specialists will agree that the most common cause of problems can be related to the wearing of the wrong shoes. High heels are commonly seen as the biggest cause and that is certainly the reason why the majority of patients seen by podiatrists are female.

Luckily, much can be done to prevent disease and injury to the feet. Of course, the most sensible precaution is to wear shoes that fit properly and that are designed for the purpose for which they are used. Sportspeople, especially, should take heed. Shoes are designed for specific types of movements and it is vital to buy the shoes specially designed for a specific sporting activity.

It is also vital to maintain a strict regime of hygiene. The feet should be kept clean and dry at all times and special care should be taken with the areas between the toes. This is where fungus breeds easily. IT is important to look after the toe nails and to keep them short. Nobody should ever attempt dealing with common problems such as calluses and corns by using home remedies.

No discomfort, pain or any visible symptoms such as swelling, rashes or growths should ever be ignored. The sooner medical help is sought, the quicker the problem can be dealt with and the less likely it is that more serious problems can ensue. Most podiatrists will testify to the fact that their most serious cases came about because the patient waited too long before seeking medical help.

Many podiatrists bemoan the fact that so many general practitioners treat problems of the feet and ankles themselves, rather than referring their patients to a specialist. It is one thing to offer treatment that will deal with the symptoms, such as swelling and pain, but general practitioners often fail to diagnose underlying problems that may become much more serious in time.

A podiatrist is specially trained to diagnose and treat a wide variety of problems related to the knees, the lower legs, the ankles and especially the feet. Any problems in any of these areas should be referred to a specialist. It is certainly not worth risking permanent pain or injury by ignoring even minor discomfort or a seemingly small injury.




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