Finding a Foot and Ankle Doctor
If you're having problems with your foot and ankle, there are many useful exercises as well products that can provide relief. However, with certain types of conditions, you do need to see a foot doctor or podiatrist. The more you need to see one if you're diabetic or have issues with blood circulation, or if you're currently under treatment for any other condition such as pregnancy, an age-related illness, obesity or hypertension, or if you just had surgery.
Yes, sometimes it can be tempting to self-treat. But how do you know if you're better off calling your podiatrist for an appointment or heading straight to a hospital emergency room? Of course, it depends on your condition.
You should see a podiatrist in Ohio if you just fractured your foot or sprained your ankle, were bitten by an animal like a dog or snake, or have a pinched nerve or a foreign body stuck inside. If your foot is painful, swollen and tender around a bone, or has lesions of unknown origin or perhaps an suspicious lump, you must see a podiatrist immediately.
Generally speaking, how much pain or discomfort you have or how long it's been there should tell you whether or not you should seek professional help. Excruciating pain obviously means something is very wrong, and even if you think you can handle it, you should still see an expert to know where that pain is coming from. If you've done everything you've been advised to do and yet the problem has remained, it's time to see a podiatrist. Read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_and_ankle_surgery to find out about foot and ankle surgery.
Podiatrists or foot and ankle doctors from www.gentlefootcare.biz are specialists in foot problems, and have the acronym, "DPM" after their names. This stands for Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. Choosing a podiatrist is a lot like choosing any other doctor. It's good to talk to other patients and get some feedback. On your first meeting with the podiatrist, ask questions so you would know whether or not the doctor has actually understood your problem. Also don't hesitate to ask about his experience in dealing with your specific problem, and what hospitals he is affiliated with. To find a board-certified podiatrist, call a few major hospitals and ask for referrals, or you can also check with the American Pediatric Medical Association or the Department of Health.
Follow these tips, take care of your feet and see a qualified podiatrist. These are key to your foot health.s
