The Best Podiatrists Professionals in Gravesend, New York Rated By Past Clients (2024)

FAQs

What is one of the most common problems treated by podiatrist? ›

The most common foot problem that a podiatrist treats is heel pain. Heel pain can be caused by a variety of different conditions, such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis. Treatment for heel pain often includes things like stretching exercises, orthotic devices, or cortisone injections.

Podiatry is the focused branch of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of foot problems and conditions related to the lower legs. Podiatrists treat everything from bunions to infected toenails, and patients are guaranteed to receive the best answer for their foot problems from a podiatrist.

The only discernible difference between them is that an orthopedist manages parts of the foot and ankle that pertain to the bones, soft tissues and joints, while a podiatrist manages the same areas, but also the biomechanics and dermatology of the foot and ankle.

A truly exceptional podiatrist will know how to listen intently to what questions their patients have and know how to deliver the right answers. They must also put a lot of focus on fulfilling their patients' physical and emotional needs and ensuring that they have created a safe environment for their patients.

Obesity. High foot arch. Tight calf muscles. Repetitive activities that cause stress to the heel such as running.

Nail problems should be evaluated and treated by your podiatrist, who can diagnose the ailment, and then prescribe medication or another appropriate treatment. A podiatrist will resect the ingrown portion of the nail and may prescribe a topical or oral medication to treat the infection.

There's no difference between a podiatrist and chiropodist, but podiatrist is a more modern name. A podiatrist (chiropodist) can help you with common foot problems, including ingrown toenails and bunions.

You should seek podiatric care when you notice redness and swelling in your ankle or toe joints. This could be due to an injury to the joint or arthritis. A podiatrist knows how to treat joint pain and get you back on your feet so you can lead the active life you desire.

Unlike prescriptions written by your general practitioner, the medications for your foot condition will usually be short-term and used in conjunction with other therapies. For example, your podiatrist may prescribe: Antibiotics.

Although both specialists can treat foot and ankle conditions, it is best to get help from podiatrists for foot-related issues. Podiatrists have more specialized skills and training for foot and ankle health.

What is the best doctor to see for foot pain? ›

—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. If you are experiencing any of the following problems or symptoms, it's time to make an appointment to see a podiatrist. Numbness, pain or swelling in one foot.

Your podiatrist will administer one that is best for your condition, but most will use a long-duration cortisone because it will take effect within a few weeks and will last between 1-9 months, depending on your condition and the severity of it.

Some of the most common foot problems in older adults include bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, ingrown, thickened or discolored nails, diabetic foot conditions, poor circulation, and heel pain. Regular visits to a podiatrist can help you maintain your foot health as you age.

Arthritis, a fractured or broken bone, gout, tendinitis, plantar fasciitis can all make your feet hurt. You're more likely to have foot problems as you get older and your joints wear down. Being overweight puts extra pressure on your feet, which can also lead to pain.

1. Plantar Fasciitis. One of the most common causes of heel pain, plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia -- a band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes -- becomes inflamed.

Keratin is a protein that promotes the development of the skin and nails. Nail psoriasis sometimes causes too much keratin to grow under the nail. This overgrowth is called subungual hyperkeratosis. People with hyperkeratosis may notice a white, chalky substance under the nail.

“Applying Vicks VapoRub to fungus-infected toenails can clear up the notoriously hard-to-treat condition. Michigan State University clinicians found that applying the product daily to the infected nail cleared the condition in 32 of 85 patients, though it took anywhere from 5 to 16 months…”

What do podiatrists use for toenail fungus? ›

Oral antifungal medications are prescribed to treat toenail fungus. These medications help the nail grow free of infection. Your podiatrist may have you apply a cream or powder that contains medicine that kills fungus. Topical nail lacquer is also used to treat toenail fungus infections.

MOT stands for measurements, observations and tests. They do it to ensure your feet are properly cared for.

Wait, do podiatrists do pedicures? Absolutely. A medical pedicure professional has a university degree and can answer any of your questions about feet. Using medical-grade equipment, they will restore life to your feet, no matter how bad they seem to you.

Some of the medical conditions podiatrists treat include heel pain (plantar fasciitis), foot complications from diabetes, ankle and foot arthritis, nerve problems, tendonitis, hammertoes, flat feet, nail disorders, bunions, warts, fungus, fractures, and sprains.

Podiatrists utilize vascular testing when a patient has symptoms of PAD or if they believe they might. If a patient has diabetes, a podiatrist may determine a vascular test to be prudent to check for poor blood circulation.

Individuals with healthy feet should still visit a podiatrist once every year. The doctor can identify potential issues and recommend steps you can take to avoid problems and maintain healthy feet. Patients who have certain foot or ankle conditions, such as a history of foot ulcers, should see a podiatrist more often.

If you have toenail fungus, and particularly if you have toenail fungus and diabetes, it is suggested that you see a podiatrist for treatment. If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails. If you suspect you have toenail fungus it is important to seek treatment right away.

Your podiatrist can detect a fungal infection early, perform a lab test, determine the cause, and form a suitable treatment plan, which may include prescribing topical or oral medication, and debridement (removal of diseased nail matter and debris) of an infected nail.

A podiatrist, family physician, internist, or physician who specializes in diabetes can diagnose peripheral neuropathy. The diagnosis is made on the basis of a physical exam, health history, and your reporting of symptoms.

Before touching your toenail, your podiatrist will gently administer enough local anaesthetic into your toe to make it completely numb. You may feel some pressure during the procedure but you won't experience any pain.

Is it worth having foot surgery? ›

Most cases respond well to exercise, physical therapy, and footwear changes. However, surgery is worth it for those with chronic pain. Of course, there are risks with any surgery.

If plantar fasciitis does not get better, a GP might refer you to a physiotherapist or foot specialist (podiatrist). A physiotherapist can show you exercises to help ease your symptoms. A podiatrist can recommend things like insoles and the right shoes to wear.

When Non-Operative Methods Have Failed. Regardless of the specific foot injury, deformity, or disease you're dealing with, if you're not finding pain relief in the methods that you're using, you should consider surgery.

Pain in the bottom of your foot is often caused by exercise, such as running, wearing shoes that are too tight or a condition, such as Morton's neuroma. Some people also have a foot shape that puts extra pressure on the bottom of the foot. Hard or cracked skin or a verruca can also cause this type of pain.

If pain lasts for more than a few days and doesn't seem to get better with ice and rest, see your doctor. And keep in mind that not all stress fractures show up right away on an X-ray, so you may need an MRI (a magnetic resonance imaging scan), Sutera adds.

One excellent alternative to cortisone injections is laser therapy, which not only addresses symptoms but also helps accelerate the natural healing process. This is a more advanced, versatile, and overall effective procedure.

The drugs work by quickly reducing the inflammation that causes pain. As effective as cortisone shots can be, their effects are usually not permanent. Because the overuse of cortisone can damage cartilage and bone, orthopedic surgeons try to give no more than three shots per year to any body part.

A steroid injection — or cortisone shot — reduces swelling, stiffness and pain in your foot and ankle. The steroid acts like the natural hormones that your body makes to stop inflammation. It's a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment.

The most common foot problem that a podiatrist treats is heel pain. Heel pain can be caused by a variety of different conditions, such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles tendinitis. Treatment for heel pain often includes things like stretching exercises, orthotic devices, or cortisone injections.

Why choose podiatry over MD? ›

While still receiving the same common courses as MD/DO students, podiatric medical students receive highly-specialized education and training from day one of podiatric medical school. Podiatry features less "life and death" situations, which alleviates the stress of making a life-or-death mistake.

They lack heel support

“Crocs are backless and do not support or control the heel,” Weiser adds. As a result, you could develop heel pain and tendonitis of the heel. The lack of heel support can make it more difficult to maintain stability as you walk, so you may be more likely to trip or fall.

A normal arch is the most common and the most desirable of foot shapes, but as you age and maybe put on a few pounds, that normal arch could begin to flatten out.

Many people who are looking for arch support footwear have previously spoken to a podiatrist and been given advice on what to look for, and in most cases only a few brands will be mentioned with Skechers certainly being one of them.

Fitter Feet Podiatrists can assess your walking (gait) and provide orthotic foot supports to help pain free legs feet and backs when walking. Even arthritic pains can be improved by wearing orthoses when walking. Our Podiatrists also remove callus, corns and treat painful nails to help you keep walking comfortably.

During your assessment you will be asked a variety of questions about you and the reason you have been referred. A review of your medical status and a footwear evaluation will take place along with a few simple and painless tests.

If you're considering seeing a podiatrist without insurance, you can expect to see costs ranging from $60 to $400. Depending on your needed services, treatment and surgeries can cost between $400-$12,000.

Common foot problems include ingrown nails, mycotic nails (fungus-infected nails), corns, calluses, and plantar warts. Treatment and prevention tips for each of these conditions are provided.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of poor circulation in your feet and ankles, or if you are older and are at a higher risk of developing poor circulation, please seek the care of a podiatrist who can diagnose and treat this condition.

Does Medicare cover podiatry for foot pain? ›

Medicare Part B covers podiatry services for medically necessary treatment of foot injuries, diseases, or other medical conditions affecting the foot, ankle, or lower leg.

A podiatrist treats all types of orthopedic conditions and injuries that affect the foot and ankle. If you have a foot condition, such as plantar fasciitis, bone spurs, or a sprained ankle, a podiatrist can treat it.

Oral analgesic medications such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) or aspirin are often the first line choice for quick relief of foot pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen are also often recommended and can help to reduce inflammation at the same time.

Itchy feet can be a symptom of liver disease, particularly cholestatic liver diseases such as primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). These conditions cause the bile ducts in the liver to become blocked or damaged, which can lead to a build-up of bile in the body.

Foot pain is often caused by improper foot function. Poorly fitting shoes can worsen and, in some cases, cause foot problems. Shoes that fit properly and give good support can prevent irritation to the foot joints and skin.

Simply add 1/2 cup Epsom salt or a few drops of essential oils to a gallon of warm water. Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes, then dry gently with a fluffy towel. Be sure to dry especially well between your toes.

“Although often overlooked, your feet can provide an excellent warning of potential health concerns,” said Dr. Peter Chioros, a board-certified podiatrist with Swedish Medical Group. “Sudden changes or chronic symptoms such as pain or inflammation can signal illnesses and other potentially harmful conditions.”

Specifically, vitamin B3 has been shown to reduce inflammation and increase circulation. People who always have cold hands and feet may want to consider a vitamin B supplement to improve blood flow and heart health.