When you think of what podiatrists can do for you, you probably think about the things everyone knows about: examining your feet, providing orthotics, giving advice on foot and ankle health and so on. In fact, there are many other things they can help you with. Here are three you may not have realized:
- Write prescriptions and order lab tests
As specialist health professionals, podiatrists are well placed to know exactly how to treat your foot pain. As such, in most parts of the country they are able to write prescriptions, as well as to order lab tests and X-rays. That’s right: you don’t need to go to another doctor!
- In most cases, podiatrists cannot prescribe meds for body-wide conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes, even if these affect your feet. They can, however, prescribe mediations to address the effects that these conditions cause to your feet.
- Detect serious conditions at an early stage
You might only think of going to visit your podiatrist after you’ve suffered a foot injury – but they can also help to stop you getting diseases you don’t yet even know about. If you’re in a high-risk category for a condition like diabetes, scheduling a foot check-up is a great idea.
- Peripheral neuropathy – when your toes become tingly or numb – can be an early sign that you’re developing diabetes.
- Podiatrists can work with other medical practitioners to ensure that warning signs are picked up as quickly as possible.
- Trim your toenails
If you have problems cutting your toenails yourself, your podiatrist will be able to help. They’ll make sure you get a clean, comfortable trim, as well as checking for any signs of trouble.
- This service may be helpful if you have diabetes, are elderly or have a condition that makes it hard or impossible to reach your own feet easily.
- As well as the trim itself, your podiatrist will take care of any hard skin, as well as checking for other problems like calluses or corns.
- Help you recover from injury
Whether you’ve injured your foot or ankle playing a sport, exercising or just going about your daily life, a podiatrist will be able to diagnose the injury and design a treatment plan that will get you back to living life the way you want, safely and as soon as possible.