A podiatrist is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of foot and ankle related conditions and injuries. Not many people consider going to a podiatrist until they have a foot or ankle condition that requires specialized care. If you’ve never considered seeing a podiatrist, you are probably missing out on the foot care you need.

Here are ten reasons to get your feet and ankles examined and treated by a podiatrist:

1. You’ve recently changed your daily routine and have begun feeling aches and pains on your lower legs and feet that weren’t there before. If you have changed your routine by starting the gym, a new job, or a new hobby, it could have affected your feet. For example, a lot of people experience foot pain after beginning to go to the gym or after getting pregnant. These changes in your lifestyle have an immense effect on your foot health. Therefore, if you are experiencing foot or ankle pain after a lifestyle change, visit a podiatrist before the symptoms get worse.
2. You have flat feet – Flat feet refers to feet that lack a proper arch in the middle. This condition is something people are born with or develop due to improper footwear or an injury. Regardless of the reason, flat feet can wreak havoc on the health of your feet and cause uncomfortable symptoms. If you have foot pain or suspect you may have flat feet, see a podiatrist. Even if you aren’t having symptoms right now, you could develop them in the future. A podiatrist can educate you on preventive care that’ll keep your feet healthy for years to come.
3. You feel pain in your heels – If you experience pain in the heels of your feet, you may have a condition called plantar fasciitis. The most common symptom of plantar fasciitis is a stabbing pain in the heels immediately after waking up or after sitting for a long period of time. It’s important to seek treatment sooner rather than later because this condition tends to get worse with time.
4. If you feel a prior injury is affecting your feet now – Everyone experiences injuries every now and then. Once they heal, we tend to forget about them. However, a lot of injuries can cause long-term effects, many of which are foot injuries. If you had a foot injury month or years ago and are recently experiencing pain or other symptoms, get it checked out by a podiatrist. Your old injury could be the culprit, and you may need further treatment to remedy the problem.
5. You have diabetes – Diabetics have to be extra careful about foot care because they are more prone to losing sensation in their feet and developing ulcers and wounds that can cause infections. Diabetics are especially at high risk for losing limbs related to these issues. Therefore, if you have diabetes, regardless of whether you feel symptoms in your feet or not, see a podiatrist on a routine basis to assess the health of your feet.
6. You have an ingrown toenail – An ingrown toenail is more than just a minor painful nuisance. Many times, ingrown toenails become infected and require medical treatment. In order to avoid complications, see a podiatrist if your ingrown toenail does not go away within a few days or if your symptoms include redness, heat, and discharge from the ingrown toenail area.
7. You play a sport – People who are very active or play sports are especially prone to foot or ankle injuries or conditions. A podiatrist can help keep your feet healthy so that it doesn’t negatively affect your performance. Don’t wait for an injury to develop before seeking the advice and care of a podiatrist. Preventive care is always the best way to go.
8. You have arthritis. Arthritis is a condition that affects the long-term health and function of joints. Your feet have many joints in them, therefore, they can be affected by arthritis. If you have arthritis, see a podiatrist on a routine basis to assess whether the joints in your feet are being affected by it. Your podiatrist can help you with preventive care so that you can keep your feet healthy and symptom-free for as long as possible.
9. You have calluses or bunions – Calluses and bunions may just seem like cosmetic issues, but they can cause uncomfortable symptoms for a lot of people. While not everyone with these issues need podiatric care, if they are causing unwanted symptoms, it’s best to seek treatment.
10. You a foot deformity – Many people are born with foot deformities or develop them as a result of injuries. If you have a deformity or suffered a serious foot injury at some point in life, it’s important to see a podiatrist on a regular basis. Continuous monitoring and care can prevent the deformity or injury from causing further damage to your foot health and function.

Experienced and Skilled Podiatrists in Cincinnati, Ohio

Are you ready to see a podiatrist for your foot or ankle injury or condition? Visit the experts at Cincinnati Foot & Ankle Care, and see how we can improve the health and function of your feet today.

Call to make an appointment, call one of our 18 locations. You can also request an appointment online.