What conditions can podiatrists treat? Podiatrists treat a number of foot and ankle conditions, including arthritis, heel pain, hammertoe, and more.
A podiatrist is a doctor that specializes in treating pain, injuries, and deformities of the feet and ankles. If you’re wondering what, exactly, a podiatrist does, you’ve come to the right place. Here, Spring Hill podiatrist Dr. Danielle Malin offers insight and answers the question, “What conditions can podiatrists treat?”
Heel pain
Heel pain is one of the most common problems that podiatrists treat. There are many different causes and conditions of heel pain, including plantar fasciitis, inflammation, stress fractures, heel spurs, nerve irritation, bursitis, and arthritis. Fortunately, these are all comfortably under the scope of podiatric medicine.
Sports injuries
Sports injuries can happen during everyday play, practice, or even exiting the field. You might visit a podiatrist in Spring Hill if you experience ankle strains, sprains, breaks or other conditions, such as shin splints or athlete’s foot.
Arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that can cause stiffness and pain in the joints. The cartilage within can deteriorate over time, which can cause even more pain and discomfort. A podiatrist can work with you to treat arthritis and slow its progression. The three most common types of arthritis or rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and posttraumatic arthritis.
Flat feet
Flat feet happen when the arches don’t fully develop or fall due to injury or overuse. It can be a painful condition that causes mobility issues as you age. It’s important to note that children have flat feet when they are born, but arches should form sometime around the child’s sixth birthday. According to Dr. Danielle Malin, some children’s arches never develop and should be treated by a podiatrist before they experience any undue pain and discomfort.
Hammertoe
Hammertoe might be present at birth, or it could be the cause of ill-fitting shoes, such as pointy high heels. Hammertoe requires the attention of a podiatrist as it will not improve without medical intervention.
Neuroma
Neuroma is a painful condition often present in those who wear tight-fitting high-heeled shoes. It can affect the nerves and cause long-term nerve damage and enlargements.
Bunions
Bunions are an uncomfortable condition that can create challenges when trying to wear even your favorite shoes. Left untreated, bunions can lead to long-term foot deformities, including chronic ingrown toenails, calluses, and corns. A quick visit to your podiatrist can help you uncover ways to relieve the pain, including medication or physical therapy.
Ingrown toenails
Most often, ingrown toenails only cause mild discomfort. However, if the nail continues to grow into the skin, it can lead to infection and inflammation. Sometimes, ingrown toenails are hereditary, but they can also be the cause of certain health conditions.
Plantar warts
The vast majority of plantar warts (those on the bottom of the foot) go away over time on their own without medical treatment. However, when they are uncomfortable, a podiatrist can easily remove them.
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis happens when the thick band of tissue between your toes and heel bone becomes inflamed. While this is a very common cause of foot pain, it’s not something you have to live with. Your podiatrist can offer a range of treatments from recommendations on self-care to devices, such as splints or braces, that can ease the pain.
As you can see, your podiatrist can treat a number of conditions of the feet and ankles. From arthritis to hammertoe to plantar warts and plantar fasciitis, Dr. Danielle Malin has the experience, equipment, and expertise to help you overcome pain and discomfort and enjoy being on your feet once again.
Dr. Danielle Malin, DPM of Premier Foot & Ankle Care in Columbia, TN, specializes in treating foot and ankle pain, Achilles tendinitis, warts, nail disorders, hammertoe, bunions, and more. She is a skilled foot and ankle surgeon who offers personalized patient care through her full-service office. Dr. Malin is unique among local podiatrists in that she makes house calls so that she can best care for her diverse patient base. Premier Foot & Ankle Care care treats both adult and pediatric patients. A staff physician at Maury Regional Medical Center, Dr. Malin is Board Certified by the American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery.
