Seeing a Foot Doctor
If you are dealing with a fever or cough you will most likely visit your regular doctor for treatment. If you need to have your eyes checked you’ll see your optometrist, and when you need your teeth cleaned, you’ll turn to a dentist. While a regular doctor can be integral for providing generalized care, if you are dealing with more specialized health needs you’ll want to turn to an expert. If you are dealing with foot or ankle injuries or issues, our foot doctors at Tampa Bay Podiatry can provide you with the individualized treatment and care you’re looking for in Clearwater FL.
What is a foot doctor?
Simply, a foot doctor is a medical professional who addresses conditions, injuries and other issues that affect the feet and ankles, as well the lower leg. Here at Tampa Bay Podiatry, we can diagnose, treat and prevent a variety of problems that affect the feet and ankles. Depending on the problem you’re dealing with, our foot doctors will provide you with a detailed treatment plan that will (more than likely) provide a variety of nonsurgical treatment options. In more serious or complex cases, we can also provide foot and ankle surgery and more aggressive in-office procedures to treat everything from severe fractures and arthritis-related joint damage to excessively large and painful bunions. When you’re going to your foot doctor, you may have many questions as to what your foot doctor can do and how you can be sure that you’re taking care of your feet.
Frequently Asked Questions about Podiatry
Q. What does a foot doctor do?
A. A foot doctor is a doctor who specializes in caring for your feet. They can help diagnose and treat different conditions that can affect your feet and can help you feel comfortable enough to participate in your favorite daily activities.
Q. What are some common conditions foot doctors treat?
A. Your foot doctor can help with many different ailments that may affect you. Some common conditions you may deal with include:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Hammertoes
- Corns and calluses
- Warts
- Bunions
- Skin and nail problems (e.g. fungal infections; ingrown toenails)
- Arthritis
- Sprains, Fractures and strains
- Sports-related injuries
- Heel pain
- Diabetes
- Bone problems in the feet or ankle
- Heel spurs
- Ingrown toenails
- Toenail fungus;
- Flat feet or over-pronounced feet
Q. Can a foot doctor perform surgery?
A. Yes, they can! Depending on the severity of your condition, it may be necessary for your foot doctor to perform surgery to correct an issue and help relieve some of the pain you’re experiencing.
Q. What are common treatments prescribed by a foot doctor?
A. Depending on the issue you may be dealing with, your foot doctor can recommend a number of different treatments. It may help to ice and rest your foot daily or your foot doctor might give you some stretching exercises to help strengthen your foot and add extra support. They can also help fit you for custom orthotics to add cushion to your foot and make daily activities more comfortable and enjoyable again.
Q. When should I visit my foot doctor?
A. Today! Our foot doctor can help many people, from children to athletes and seniors. We work with patients of all ages here at Tampa Bay Podiatry to provide comprehensive, gentle, and customized care that fits your needs. A foot doctor is typically the first specialist to turn to if you are dealing with any foot or ankle problems. It may be time to schedule an appointment with one of our foot doctors if,
- You’re dealing with a fungal infection of the toenail
- You have persistent or chronic heel pain
- You think you have a sprain or fracture
- Athlete’s foot keeps returning
- You develop persistent or recurring pain
- You have severe pain in the foot or ankle
- You develop numbness, swelling or tingling
- You have diabetes
- You think you may have a bunion
- You develop joint pain in the foot or ankle
- At-home care isn’t providing you relief from your symptoms
To learn more about how your foot doctor can help you and your feet,
call Tampa Bay Podiatry in Clearwater FL today at (727) 797-5007