9 Signs You Could Benefit From a Podiatrist Appointment

Most people frequently neglect their foot health. If their feet are bothering them, they ignore it or attempt to smile through pain. However, maintaining good foot health is crucial. Taking care of foot pain or irritation may significantly enhance your quality of life, prevent future problems, and reduce the need for surgery. Here are ten reasons why you should visit a foot doctor:

1. You suffer from persistent back pain
Problems within your spine may not always be the culprit behind your back pain. Symptoms in your back might also result from foot problems like plantar fasciitis. Back discomfort can also result from treatable foot issues, including flat feet, often known as fallen arches. If you've had back discomfort for a long time but can't seem to receive a diagnosis, you should visit a foot specialist to rule out the possibility that a foot issue is a real cause.

2. You’re dealing with arthritis 
Joint stiffness and severe inflammation are symptoms of arthritis. Additionally, arthritis can result in painful foot problems since your feet have numerous joints. It's time to consult a foot doctor if you have arthritis and soreness in your feet so they can determine the source of your issues.

3. Your toenails have turned black or yellow 
A fungal toenails are yellow or black in color. This illness, which requires treatment from a foot expert, can potentially progress into a severe infection.

4. There’s swelling in your ankle 
You shouldn't play around with swollen ankles. You can be dealing with serious ligament and bone damage to your ankle, such as an ankle sprain, that may become worse if left untreated. Don't simply bandage your ankle if it's swollen; take further action. For an accurate diagnosis, consult a foot doctor right away.

5. Your child complains of foot pain
Don't brush off your child's repeated complaints of foot pain as just growing pains. Children can also experience foot abnormalities, with flat feet or collapsed arches being among the most prevalent. Your child can receive relief from their foot problem under the care of a foot doctor, who can also help them select appropriately sized arch supports to help with flat feet.

6. You’ve developed sudden knee pain 
Problems with the foot can create knee pain in the same way that they can cause back pain. See a foot doctor to rule out any underlying foot issues if you have persistent, unexplained pain in one or both of your knees.

7. You have chronic heel pain
Pain in your heels can be a serious problem. It can begin as a minor ache when you first get out of bed in the morning, but before you realize it, every step is accompanied by excruciating agony. A foot specialist can treat a variety of issues that might cause heel pain.

8. You suspect there’s a broken bone in your foot 
Your feet have the most bones compared to other parts of the body. And it's crucial to maintain the health of those bones. You should visit a foot doctor for an examination and x-ray if you believe you fractured a bone in your foot as a result of trauma. Untreated broken bones might develop into more serious problems.

9. You prefer high-heeled shoes
Shoes should never be taller than 2 inches, offer at least a half-inch room in the toes, and always fit comfortably. If you prefer wearing high heels, you probably have foot problems from keeping your feet in abnormal positions for a long period of time each day. This is particularly true if you have a job that requires you to stand in high heels for a number of hours each day.