Podiatry: Taking Care Of Your Feet
Podiatric Medicine is a medical profession that deals with conditions that affect the foot, ankle, and related structures. Podiatry, in essence, is the study, treatment, and prevention of foot conditions that can disrupt the daily lives both of children and adults.
Diabetes, arthritis, excess sweating, flatfeet, sports injuries, and all conditions causing foot discomfort.
A podiatrist can also be known as a Doctor in Podiatric Medicine or a doctor of the foot and ankle. Your foot is an intricate part of your body. It has 26 bones, hundreds of ligaments and tendons, and many muscles. A podiatrist, a highly-trained specialist, can diagnose, treat and maintain healthy feet.
3 Facts About The Feet
Feet Indicates General Health
A person's feet can indicate that they are not in good health. Unhealthiness in the feet is often more evident than any other area of the body. A person may have a nerve disorder or circulatory problem if they have an unhealthy foot.
Can Withstand Pressure
One of the most amazing facts about feet is their ability to withstand three to four times the body weight. The pressure on the feet from walking can sometimes exceed a person's weight.
Sweat Glands
A person's feet has 250,000 sweat glands. It is common for people to experience sweaty feet. About a quarter of a pint of water is lost each day from the feet.
Giving You A Comfortable Walking Experience
Diabetes, arthritis, excess sweating, flatfeet, sports injuries, and all conditions causing foot discomfort.
Podiatry treatments are also available for:
Warts
Warts are small, rough lumps on the skin that are benign (non-cancerous). They often appear on the hands and sole of the foot.
Corns & Calluses
Are areas of thick, dry skin that develop when skin is exposed to excessive pressure or friction. They are very common foot problems that can cause pain when you walk.
Bunions
Is an enlargement of bone or tissue around the joint at the head of the big toe. The big toe may turn in toward the second toe and the tissues surrounding the joint may become swollen and tender.
Chilblains
Are small, itchy swellings on the skin that occur as a reaction to cold temperatures.
Ingrown Toenails:
An ingrown toenail occurs when the sides of the toenail grow into the surrounding skin. The toenail curls and pierces the skin, which becomes red, swollen, and tender.
Nail Disease or Disorders
Any type of nail problems as fungal infection, hardening or thickening, deformed shape, and discoloration of the nail.
Custom Made Orthotic Therapy:
Following gait analysis podiatrist/chiropodist prescribe orthotics or orthopaedic shoes to improve feet biomechanic and resolve or relief painful conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Post-secondary certification is required for chiropodists. Many chiropodists studied science in their undergraduate degrees before enrolling in the two-year program. They then register with the College of Chiropodists of Ontario. Podiatrists complete a Doctor of Podiatric Degree and register with the same college.
- Ontario has a greater number of licensed chiropodists than there are podiatrists. According to the Ontario Chiropodist, there are over 600 chiropodists and 60 podiatrists. It is therefore easier to find a qualified chiropractor. You can also be seen quickly for an assessment.
- The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) partially covers podiatry services. Although chiropody is not covered by OHIP, many private insurers and extended plans provide coverage for chiropody. Talk to your chiropodist if you don’t have coverage. When you file your taxes, you can also deduct your chiropody fees.
- Podiatrists are able to perform surgery on your feet’ bones, while chiropodists are unable. However, minor foot operations can be performed by chiropodists on the skin, tissue, and toenails.
Consultation and treatment are combined on the first day of the appointment. The patient completes a medical history form and consent form. This is then reviewed by the Chiropodist. An extensive examination and assessment of your feet is performed.
This includes checking for and identifying any problems.
- Lesions – Corns, calluses and warts; moles, wounds, ulcers; warts; corns.
- Analysis of range of motion/gait (foot function), circulation and sensation, colour.
- Digital photos of your feet taken are available.
The chiropodist will then discuss treatment options with you, answer your questions and determine the next steps.
As the orthotics are still being adjusted, it is normal to feel some discomfort or fatigue at first. Your orthotics should be worn for at least one hour the first day, and then increase this time by two hours every day. Orthotics should be worn continuously after the break-in period has ended to ensure optimal results. There will be a follow-up appointment within four weeks. However, if adjustments are needed, we will not charge the additional three months.
Most podiatric problems require surgery as an option last resort. Surgery should be considered only after all other options have been exhausted. Some cases may require surgery as the first line of treatment. However, this is rare.
An abnormal foot structure is usually responsible for sore feet. Normal foot growth occurs when the foot is overweight. This causes the feet to elongate and the muscles at the bottom of the feet to experience a lot of stress, which can lead to tired, burning feet.