May 2, 2024
A podiatrist is a specialist who focuses on the foot and ankle primarily but may even address some soft tissue aspects of the lower leg as well. Patients naturally come to a podiatrist for foot pain or a deformity.
Several illnesses lead to foot problems, but the one that stands out most significantly is diabetes.
“Why do we think diabetes leads to foot problems? Because most of the time it affects the blood flow and the nerves of the foot, and usually when those get damaged, that can lead to foot problems,” Dr. Vanatius Babila Tita explained. “Patients can’t feel their foot, and also the lack of blood flow decreases healing of injuries and pathologies that they might have.”
“The foot is unique, specifically for diabetics because unfortunately many times diabetes manifests itself for the first time within the foot. Patients commonly complain of numbness, burning, tingling, and changes in their foot that while might be indicative of a systemic infection seems localized to the foot,” Dr. Brett Vessell said.
How can you avoid complications from illnesses causing problems with your feet?
“What I tell my patients very often is always to check your foot every day,” Dr. Tita said. “Regular foot hygiene – washing your feet, moisturizing – doesn’t hurt. If you do that every day, and in that process you also check your feet, that will be the most important thing that I always tell people to do.”
You can also take steps to protect your foot. Wearing shoes, using inserts or padding for bony prominences are other ways of protecting your foot. But a simple check of your feet every day is the best way to avoid serious problems with your feet. If you notice anything out of the ordinary be sure to let your doctor know as soon as possible.