Best Podiatrists Near Me in Georgetown, DE | WebMD (2024)

FAQs

What should I look for in a good podiatrist? ›

A Podiatric Surgeon is a podiatrist who has undertaken extensive post graduate training in foot surgery. They are therefore non-medically qualified specialists in the treatment of all foot problems utilising conservative (non-surgical) and surgical treatment methods.

They can treat common short-term issues like ingrown toenails, or work with you long-term while you manage a chronic condition like diabetes. Visit a podiatrist if you notice any symptoms or changes in your feet that make it hard or painful to move or do any of your usual activities.

A podiatrist can analyze your gait and determine what type of custom orthotics can be used inside your shoes to help keep your feet stable and in the proper position while walking or standing.

Common problems that podiatrists treat include bunions, heel pain, ingrown toenails, and athlete's foot. Treatment methods used by podiatrists can vary depending on the specific condition but often include things like orthotic devices, braces, or surgery.

Choose Your Clothes Wisely

During your appointment, your podiatrist will not only perform a physical exam of your feet and ankles but will also examine your posture and gait. Be prepared to remove your shoes and socks for the exam, and wear loose-fitting pants that can be rolled up to the knee.

Your podiatrist can safely cut your nails and remove fungus without spreading it. They can also prescribe antifungal creams and sprays to help the nail heal.

Although an orthopedist technically has studied foot and ankle problems, a podiatrist specializes in them. This specialization allows a podiatrist to better address issues unique to your foot and ankle. If you're looking for an experienced podiatrist in Naples, Florida, visit the Joint Replacement Institute.

If you have any issues that involve the foot and or ankle—a sports injury, arthritis/joint pain, skin problems, etc. —a visit to the podiatrist is your best bet. A podiatrist is a specialist who manages and treats almost all symptoms that involve the ankle and/or the foot.

Muscle weakness and unstable joints can contribute to your loss of balance. Difficulties with eyesight also can lead to unsteadiness. Medications. Loss of balance or unsteadiness can be a side effect of medications.

Why do I walk unsteady? ›

Gait and balance issues can cause unsteadiness and difficulty standing and walking. Depending on the cause, a person may also experience vertigo, dizziness, and motion sickness, for example. Common causes of these issues in adults include musculoskeletal injuries, arthritis, and visual or inner ear problems.

Benefits of Walking for Foot Health

Strengthen the bones and muscles of the feet and ankles. Increase flexibility and stability in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. A healthy weight can reduce the risk of obesity, which can put a lot of strain on the feet and ankles. Increase circulation and reduce swelling.

Your shoe should not push on your toes or make them curl. They should also not place pressure on your feet from the side, making it feel like your toes are being squashed together. The optimal elevation or drop in height from the heel to the toe of the shoe should be approximately 10-12mm.

A podiatrist will perform an exam and take x-rays to determine the root cause and develop a treatment plan. You think you've sprained or broken your ankle or foot. Your first instinct may be to visit the orthopedist, but a podiatrist has more experience treating foot and ankle injuries.

Podiatrists can help treat sprains, strains, and broken bones in the foot or the ankle, as they can diagnose your injury and suggest treatment. Swelling, trouble walking, redness, and increasing pain following an injury are all reasons to see a podiatrist.