Podiatry Adelaide: How Often Should You Visit?

Your feet are complicated structures, and they support the weight of your entire body. Podiatrists are trained to assess the overall health of your feet and ankles, and diagnose and treat foot and ankle conditions.

A variety of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or an ill-fitting shoe, may cause heel pain.

How often should I visit a podiatrist?

A podiatrist from a competent podiatry clinic Adelaide can treat most issues that affect the feet, ankles and lower legs, including shin splints, bunions, hammertoes, plantar warts and other skin conditions. They are also trained to recognise problems early so they can be treated with less invasive methods and potentially prevent future injuries.

During your first visit, the podiatrist will ask about your medical history and the medications you’re taking. Then, they will examine your foot and ankle, checking for pain or discomfort and looking for deformities. They may order X-rays or other imaging tests to get a better look at your feet.

Athletes can develop foot problems like stress fractures, runner’s knee and bunions due to the repetitive motion of their sports. A podiatrist can help by recommending orthotics or other padding to reduce the impact on your feet and joints. They can also teach you stretches and exercises to prevent injuries during your sport.

Podiatrists can also help with chronic medical issues such as diabetes, arthritic and vascular problems in the feet and legs. They can recommend shoes to fit your lifestyle and activity level. 

Diabetics

People with diabetes are at much greater risk of developing foot problems, particularly sores and wounds. It is largely due to reduced nerve sensitivity (neuropathy) and poor circulation inhibiting the body’s ability to heal. They may also experience a numbness and tingling sensation in their feet. It can prevent them from noticing a problem, especially when it develops at the bottom of their foot or in areas of high pressure when they walk and stand.

If these issues are not caught and treated promptly, they can lead to serious complications, such as gangrene, which often requires amputation. A podiatrist can help prevent foot ulcers by providing proper care for the lower extremities and prescribing appropriate wound care products.

People with diabetes should visit a podiatrist regularly for diabetic foot assessments. The frequency of these assessments will vary depending on the type of diabetes, and the podiatrist will recommend a specific schedule for each patient.

Aside from these visits to the podiatry clinic Adelaide, people with diabetes should perform daily self-exams of their feet. It can help them catch any small issues that might arise between appointments. Ideally, these daily inspections should be done at the same time every day so that they become a part of the patient’s routine. It can include before and after meals, at the end of the day or just before going to bed.

Athletes

Athletes put a lot of strain on their feet and ankles. It puts them at an increased risk of injury. They also tend to mask symptoms and may push themselves further than their bodies can handle. Athletes need to visit podiatrists more often, even when they feel fine.

During a typical podiatry appointment, a doctor will ask about your medical history and physically examine your feet and ankles. They will also look for signs of infection or deformity. X-rays and other imaging tests may be required to better view your foot bones.

High Arches

High arches are relatively common but can cause pain if not treated. It can also impact how well a person moves, leading to other medical conditions like a sprained ankle or unexplained hip pain.

A podiatry clinic Adelaide can assess a patient with high arches to determine the best treatment plan. It may include physical therapy or special shoes with arch inserts. In extreme cases, surgery may be needed to flatten the arch structure.

The podiatrist will perform a biomechanical assessment and review the patient’s family history to determine if any underlying health issues could contribute to the development of the condition. Then, the podiatrist will examine the foot for signs of the cavus foot deformity and other symptoms that may be related to it, such as claw toes, calluses and hammertoes.