Quick Facts
- There are reasons where a podiatrist is necessary, Including:
- Bunions, nail fungus, ingrown toenails, and other issues.
- Numbness or tingling in those with diabetes.
- Long-term pain in your heel or any suspicious growths.
To schedule a free case review with a podiatrist malpractice lawyer serving Baltimore, call Brown & Barron at (410) 698-1717 or contact us online today!
Here are 10 signs that it might be time to visit a podiatrist:
- Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. People with diabetes are at a much higher risk for serious foot problems, due to poor circulation and nerve damage. People with diabetes can get ulcers and infections in their legs and feet that can lead to serious issues, including amputation. In fact, every 20 seconds a limb is lost due to diabetes. The lack of circulation prevents proper healing, and the nerve damage prevents the person from feeling the pain that would otherwise send them to seek medical help. Diabetics should see a podiatrist regularly just to ensure foot health.
- Joint pain. Your two feet contain roughly a quarter of the bones in your entire body. That’s a lot of joints and a lot of cartilage (ideally), so the feet are a prime location for arthritis. If you have chronic stiffness, pain, or immobility due to problems with your feet, it’s probably time to seek the opinion of a podiatrist.
- Heel pain. If you have a sharp or dull pain in your heel that lasts more than a few days, it might be time for a podiatrist. Heel pain can be caused by a variety of different issues, including damage to the tendon that supports your arch, a common and painful issue called plantar fasciitis.
- Numbness or tingling. Numbness, burning, or tingling feelings in the foot or ankle can be a harmless response to exercise, being on your feet all day, or poorly fitting shoes. It can also be the sign of a pinched nerve, called a neuroma. A thickening of the nerve tissue between the third and fourth toes, is a particularly troublesome area, resulting in an irritation called Morton’s Neuroma.
- Bunions. If you have a bony bump at the base of your big toe, it could be a bunion. Bunions are formed when the joint of the toe is out of alignment due to years of pressure on the toe from the shape of your foot, the way you walk, or the shoes you wear. They do not heal on their own, and a podiatrist can help you diagnose if you have a bunion and how to fix it.
- An ankle or foot injury. If you suspect you have sprained or broken your ankle or foot, you could go to the emergency room. However, a podiatrist would likely have more experience with the issue and the course of action that will get you back on your feet as quickly as possible.
- Nail fungus. The fungus can infect the tissue underneath the nail, resulting in a situation called onychomycosis, which is not only unsightly and foul-smelling but also potentially debilitating. When these fungal organisms take up residents under the nail, the nail becomes discolored, thicker, difficult to trim, and smelly. It often spreads to other nails and can lead to difficulty walking, so it is often a good idea to consult a podiatrist as soon as you suspect a fungal issue.
- Recurring or Persistent Athlete’s Foot. Speaking of fungal infections, athlete’s foot is usually fairly easy to treat on your own with over-the-counter antifungal remedies at your local pharmacy. However, if you have a stubborn case or repeated bouts of athlete’s foot, you probably want to ask your podiatrist for advice and perhaps some prescription-strength remedies.
- Ingrown toenail. Speaking of do-it-yourself foot care, it’s common for people to make the mistake of attempting to remove their own ingrown toenails. Anyone who has done this will probably tell you it’s less painful and quicker to have it removed by a podiatrist, who can numb the area, remove the ingrown toenail, and manage any infection.
- Foot cancer symptoms The skin on our feet grows thicker to protect itself, forming corns and calluses, which can be painful (and a podiatrist can help). However, it’s important to seek the advice of a podiatrist if you detect any unsettling discolored spots (e.g., purple, red, white, black or brown spots), new or oddly shaped moles, foul-smelling warts, wounds that ooze or bleed and/or refuse to heal, or calluses and corns that grow suspiciously fast.
At Brown & Barron, we help individuals and families who suspect the possibility of podiatry malpractice get to the truth and recover the money that they deserve knowing justice has been served. If you would like a free, no-obligation review of your podiatry case, call us at (410) 698-1717 or contact us online.
To schedule a free case review with a podiatrist malpractice lawyer serving Baltimore, call Brown & Barron at (410) 698-1717 or contact us online today!
