Podiatry FAQs

Most people have come across the term podiatry. However, they do not quite comprehend the concept. As such, they end up missing out on the health benefits of this intervention. So, what is podiatry? Below are some FAQs to help you understand podiatry. 

What Is Podiatry? 

Podiatry is a medical practice specialising in conditions affecting the feet and lower limbs. Podiatrists specialise in various fields, including orthotics, diabetes care, neurologic and circulatory foot conditions, dermatology and geriatric care. Typically, the podiatrist examines your medical condition and history to determine whether podiatric interventions can help alleviate your health condition. 

Who Needs Podiatry? 

You will need podiatric care if you suffer from one of these conditions:

• People with diabetes are predisposed to various foot conditions, including nerve, blood vessel and joint damage. Podiatrists can help detect these conditions early and develop care plans to prevent pain and loss of function.
• Foot deformities like hammer toes, heel spurs, flat feet and high arches can cause knee, hip and back pains. A podiatrist prescribes physiotherapy, splints or cortisone injections to manage the condition. Alternatively, they could recommend physiotherapy.
• A podiatrist can help treat skin conditions affecting the feet, such as warts, fungus, ingrown toenails, blisters and athlete's foot. In this case, the professional prescribes medical treatments such as injections and ointments to treat these conditions.
• Podiatrists can help treat foot injuries such as sprains, fractures and sprains. They use physiotherapy and exercise techniques to help restore muscle strength and regain the foot's functionality. 

How Do You Choose A Podiatrist? 

You will find many professionals advertising podiatry services. The rule is to conduct a background assessment to establish which podiatrist is best placed to treat your condition. For instance, assess their training and licencing to determine whether they have the skill and accreditation to treat patients and practice in your area.

Then, assess the podiatrist's specialisation. Some podiatrists specialise in diabetes care, while others deal with foot deformities. A specialised podiatrist could have insights into how best to manage the condition since they have treated patients with similar conditions. You must also assess the podiatrist's availability. For example, if they run a private clinic, are they available 24/7? How easy is it to schedule a consultation with the podiatrist? Does the podiatrist offer home care services? It is an essential concern if the patient is incapacitated at home. Finally, check the podiatrist's price points and assess whether they offer bulk billing services. 

For more information, contact a company like Beenleigh Podiatry Centre.