Why You Need a Foot Check
Do you schedule regular dental checkups? We certainly hope so! Taking care of your teeth prevents diseases and can stop a small cavity from developing into a full-blown root canal.
No, we aren’t dentists. So let’s turn our attention to the other end of your body – your feet. After all, just like your mouth health, the well-being of your feet and ankles is also extremely important.
Indeed, you walk on your feet every day – and more specifically, you will likely walk around 115,000 miles (give or take) throughout your lifetime.
On top of that, you stand on your feet for hours at a time, they take you jogging in the mornings, and maybe even support those extra pounds you have been meaning to lose.
That means these hard workers really deserve some love, don’t you think?
Easier said than done – we know. Despite everything our feet do for us on a daily basis, we don’t normally pay much attention to them.
But think about it:
If we neglected our teeth like we neglect our feet, all of us would probably be gumming our food before the
And when seeking professional care for your feet – and, given their complexity, the “professional part is quite important – you should take the time to visit a good podiatrist (a physician who specializes in foot and ankle care),
Here, we can help you treat and prevent most – if not all – foot and ankle problems, from ingrown and fungal toenails to bunions and bone fractures (and beyond!).
So if you are experiencing any pain or discomfort in your foot, don’t ignore it! Instead, come visit our office – we have the skills and expertise to help you keep your feet happy and healthy.
When Should You Come Visit Our Office?
Now, you may be wondering when is the best time to see a podiatrist, and the short answer is: now!
In fact, you shouldn’t wait to have a reason to be on top of your foot health – regular visits to a podiatrist is essential for your overall well-being, and especially if you are living with diabetes.
However, there are some signs that may indicate something is wrong and you should schedule a consultation with a podiatric expert right away. Let’s take a look at some the most common symptoms you should be on the lookout for:
A Deformity That Progresses Suddenly
A good example of this is
Common symptoms include: pain, redness, and a hot, swollen foot.
A Lump or Bump That Grows or Hurts
If you experience a lump or bump that is painful and getting bigger, then you should come visit us immediately. These could potentially be signs of a condition as simple and benign as a basic cyst, but there is also a chance that it may be something more serious like a tumor. Even though malignant (dangerous) tumors in the foot are rare, you’re better off staying on the side of caution.
Common symptoms include: lumps or bumps in the foot, pain, redness, swelling, and difficulty walking.
A Wound or Sore That Does Not Heal
You should visit our office as soon as you notice any sores or wounds developing in your feet. This is especially true if you are living with diabetes. With professional help, you will have a better chance of healing sores and wounds. On the other hand, when you delay treatment, you will increase your risk of getting an infection – and that can be a very serious situation!
Common symptoms include: the symptoms here are pretty straightforward; you have tried everything in the book and yet wounds or sores just don’t seem to heal.
A Change in Foot Color
Both of your feet should look alike – if one foot is a different color than the other, then you probably have a problem developing in your feet and/or ankles. It might be that you have an infection, or gout, or perhaps a vein or circulatory problem. Either way, it is not normal, and you should seek professional advice and treatment at the earliest possible opportunity.
Common symptoms include: feet are different colors and painful, foot is red, blue, purple, or pale.
A Numb, Burning, and/or Tingling Sensation
These symptoms may be signs of neuropathy, which can cause decreased sensation in your feet. Diabetes is actually one of the many factors responsible for neuropathy. And together, neuropathy and diabetes can be a dangerous combination. After all, if you can’t feel your feet, then how are you supposed to know when there is something wrong with them?
Common symptoms include: sharp pain, burning and tingling, cramping of the muscles, and lack of feeling altogether.
A Pain and/or Swelling in One Foot
If you have pain and/or swelling in one foot and not the other, this is not normal. In fact, there are many problems that could be causing the pain and swelling such as a broken bone, tendonitis, tendon rupture or infection.
Though it is common to have both feet swell up in certain situations (such as during pregnancy or as a result of excessive sodium intake, etc.), whenever only one foot presents symptoms, then it is a good sign that there is an issue – and you need to see us
Common symptoms
A Pain That Increases with Activity
If you have pain that gets worse with activity, this may be a sign of a stress fracture. In this case, you should not try to push through the pain – come visit our office immediately. If you treat a stress fracture early, you can avoid more serious problems such as a fracture that won’t heal or one that turns into an actual broken bone.
Common symptoms
You Have Diabetes
We’ve already mentioned this, but it’s definitely worth emphasizing – if you are living with diabetes, then it is imperative that you not only visit a podiatrist on a regular basis (at least once a year), but you should also have a daily foot care plan in place. When diabetes is part of your life, a simple cut or scrape can quickly advance to a limb-threatening infection (as healing is usually slow or even nonexistent).
The truth is that this list could go on forever, but these are some of the most common foot and ankle symptoms indicating that you should come in for a foot check from trained, experienced professionals. Of course, things like flat feet, ingrown toenails, bunions, and heel pain are also things you should be on the lookout for whenever checking on the well-being of your feet.
You Can Find Expert Care at Foot & Ankle Clinics of Arizona
Our podiatric team branches out into many different areas of expertise, but one simple fact remains clear: If you have a foot or ankle problem, you should
From heel pain to fungal toenails to hammertoes to anything else that just shouldn’t be happening, the staff of Foot & Ankle Clinics of Arizona is here to provide you the best in conservative and surgical treatment options. We always keep the needs of every patient as our primary focus and will get you in as soon as possible if your needs are urgent.
We have clinics in Phoenix (South Mountain Village), Chandler, Queen Creek, Casa Grande, and Maricopa, all ready to serve you. Give us a call at (480) 917-2300 or fill out our online contact form to reach us and schedule an appointment. Let us become your go-to experts for all your podiatric needs.
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