Podiatric Services

Podiatric Services in MRC Nagar, Chennai

Overview of Podiatric Services

Podiatric services are the medical services provided for the treatment of problems related to the feet, legs and ankles. Podiatric services are provided by medical specialists known as podiatrists, officially certified with the title ‘doctor of podiatric medicine’ (DPM). They deal with podiatric medicine.

You can search and visit an ortho hospital near you or an orthopedic surgeon near you for podiatric services.

What Services do Podiatrists Provide?

Podiatrists basically deal with various problems in the lower leg and foot. Some of the podiatric services they provide are:

• Setting fractures
• Recommending physical therapy and exercises
• Writing prescriptions
• Performing surgery
• Preventive measures and foot care

Podiatrists are able to:

• Diagnose skin and nail diseases such as deformities, ulcers, congenital problems etc.
• Treat corns, heel spurs, bone disorders, cysts, arch issues and shortened tendons.
• Recommend patients to other doctors as per the diagnosis.

An early diagnosis and treatment of such issues can give positive outcomes. Hence, one must not delay visiting an orthopedic specialist near you.

Types of Podiatrists

Podiatrists differ based upon the sub-specialty they choose, such as:

• Podiatrists focussed on sports medicine: These podiatrists help patients with sport-related injuries and physical exercises.
• Pediatric podiatrists: These podiatrists specialize in providing podiatric services to children. The most common issues treated by them in young patients are ingrown toenails, crossover or turned-in toes, flat feet, bunions and tinea pedis.
• Diabetic foot care: These specialized podiatrists help diabetic patients to keep their feet healthy, free from the effects of diabetes, and prevent foot-related diabetic issues.
• Radiologist podiatrists: They specialize in using radiologic techniques such as X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, ultrasounds and nuclear medicine to provide podiatric services.

Symptoms of a Podiatric Problem

One must visit a podiatrist if you have problems and diseases like:

• Sprain and fractures
• Toenail growing inwards
• Infection
• Warts or corns
• Nail disorders
• Hammertoes
• Arthritis
• Bunions
• Heel pain
• Neuroma
• Cracks or cuts in the skin
• Peeling of soles
• Unbearable pain in the legs, ankles or feet

In case you have the symptoms, consult the best ortho doctor near you.

When Should You Visit a Podiatrist?

Our lower legs and feet behave like shock absorbers for everything that we do. If a person feels discomfort or pain in or around the ankles, feet or in lower legs, they should immediately consult with an orthopedic surgeon near you.

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, MRC Nagar, Chennai

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

Treatment by Podiatrists

Podiatrists provide treatment for the diseases, problems and podiatric services through the following means:

• Steroid injections: These are the preparations of a substance called cortisone. Cortisone is inserted in the concerned area of the body (soft tissue or the affected joint) to provide relief from the symptoms and treat the issue. 
• Cryotherapy: It is the use of extreme cold in order to treat the infected tissue. Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen that freezes the tissues at the cellular level. This treatment is quite easy and relatively quick in action. Cryotherapy is generally used in the treatment of warts, which are found on the feet or the soles.
• Surgery: There are various surgical treatments usually performed by podiatric surgeons and orthopedic surgeons to treat problems such as:
  1. Cyst removal surgery
  2. Arthritis surgery
  3. Neuroma
  4. Achilles surgery
  5. Heel surgery

Conclusion

Podiatrists can assess and evaluate mechanical foot and gait issues. They also have an in-depth understanding of underlying local and systemic disease factors that can manifest as various diseases. They can, therefore, help patients with pain relief and symptomatic relief. This provides patients an improved quality of life.

Podiatrists are an important part of any multidisciplinary healthcare team looking to provide complete health and well-being to patients in this age of advanced medical facilities.

References

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-is-a-podiatrist

https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/podiatrist-facts