Seeing podiatrists for foot care offers several advantages, as these specialized healthcare professionals have the most training and experience to expertly diagnose and treat any type of foot problem.
Podiatrists can provide conservative treatments, perform minimally invasive procedures, and ultimately tailor a patient’s program according to their needs. Preventive foot care may also be included in a comprehensive plan.
In this article, we are going to discuss some of the most common foot problems and where in Rhode Island and Massachusetts you can go for superior quality podiatry services.
Bunions
A lot of people try to treat bunions at home. However, not all bunions respond to at-home treatments, especially when the problem is severe. A bunion is considered a deformity, and in severe cases, the bone may need to be surgically realigned.
A podiatrist can assess the severity of bunions and provide personalized treatment options to alleviate symptoms and prevent further progression. This may include recommending appropriate footwear, padding, or splinting to realign the toe joint, and custom orthotics to redistribute pressure.
If conservative measures are ineffective, a podiatrist is trained to perform bunion surgery or bunionectomy to correct the deformity and relieve foot pain.
Heel Pain
There are many causes of heel pain, and this is where the expertise of a podiatrist can prove to be very helpful. The foot and ankle doctor can diagnose based on the location of the pain and through a physical examination.
Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. Risk factors are high arches and flat feet. To address heel pain, the podiatrist may recommend the following:
- Rest
- Ice therapy
- Stretching exercises
- Change in footwear
- Orthotic inserts
- Custom orthotics
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication
- Weight loss
- Cortisone injections
Hammertoes
Hammertoes are deformities of the toes characterized by the abnormal bending or curling of the joints. This foot problem can cause severe pain, discomfort, and difficulty with wearing shoes.
A podiatrist can treat hammertoe with the following:
- Shoe modifications
- Orthotic devices
- Padding
- Stretching exercises to alleviate symptoms
- Hammertoe surgery – a procedure to straighten the toes and restore normal alignment
Morton’s Neuroma
Morton’s neuroma can cause pain in the ball of your foot and the sensation of having a pebble in your shoe due to a thickening of a nerve in your foot. This requires a diagnosis made by a foot and ankle specialist after an imaging test.
Treatment for a neuroma includes the following:
- Wearing shoes with a wider toebox
- Arch supports and metatarsal pads
- Steroid injections
- Nerve decompression surgery
- Surgical removal of the nerve
Fungal Infections
For chronic fungal infections of the nail or foot, a podiatrist can help pinpoint the type of infection, which is important for effective treatment. The doctor can provide proper guidance on how to manage the infection effectively and prevent complications such as the spreading of the infection to other areas of the body, and also rule out any underlying medical conditions contributing to the infection.
Sports Injuries of the Foot and Ankle
Podiatrists play a vital role in treating and preventing sports injuries such as ankle sprains and fractures. Podiatrists develop personalized treatment plans tailored to the athlete’s unique needs and prescribe targeted exercises to get the athlete back to their pre-injury condition. Athletes or individuals with active lifestyles need specialized care due to physical demands placed on the entire body, and to keep them performing at their best.
Diabetic Foot
It is highly recommended for individuals with diabetes to see a foot and ankle doctor for diabetic foot care. Podiatrists are trained to assess the risk of foot complications in individuals with diabetes. They perform comprehensive foot examinations and assess skin integrity, sensation, and circulation, allowing for early intervention. In addition, they are also qualified to treat diabetic foot-related complications such as neuropathy, foot ulcers, and Charcot foot deformity.
New England Podiatrists for Foot Treatment
At the Foot and Ankle Institute of New England, our board-certified podiatrists provide the highest quality foot care and treatment. We can treat the foot problems discussed above and more – no matter your foot and ankle condition, we can treat it. Our facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, allowing for a range of podiatry services, from wound care to minor in-office procedures or surgeries, to orthotic and shoe fittings.
To schedule an appointment with one of our podiatrists, call our office near you or use our online request form. We have three locations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Our friendly staff looks forward to assisting you with all your podiatry needs.
