Your feet are exceptionally important. They help improve your mobility to do your daily activities in life. However, even though you make sure to take extra care of your feet, unfortunate circumstances still happen. You might get a foot injury while playing your favourite sport. Usually, you would think of visiting a physical therapist first, but don’t you know a different medical specialist can help better you with your foot problem? It’s those podiatrists in Singapore.
What is a Podiatrist?
A podiatrist is a medical practitioner who specialises in treating various foot issues. Although these experts are also considered as doctors, they undergo different training and education because they have their own school. So, instead of receiving an MD (Doctor of Medicine) title, they use a DPM (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) title.
Just like a typical doctor, they facilitate medical tests and prescribe medicines to their patients. But, they only focus on treating the ankles and feet. Although foot injuries are one of the most common foot problems, podiatrists can help manage other conditions too. Here are some of them:
Feet Deformities
Bunions - protruding bone at the side of the big toe
Hammertoes - toes that face downward
Pump Bump - the enlarged heel bone
Diabetic Foot Problems
Fungal Infections
Nail Infections
Plantar Warts
Athlete’s Foot
Flat Feet
Heel Spurs
When to Visit a Podiatry Clinic?
Sometimes, it’s difficult to determine if you should already visit a podiatry clinic in Singapore. You are not sure if the pain you are currently experiencing is normal or not. It’s also possible that you are used to the pain, so it doesn’t seem like a major concern. However, it’s not good to dismiss even the most subtle signs. You will never know that you already have a serious condition that is near to impossible to treat. To know whether it is appropriate to consult a podiatrist, watch out for some of these signs:
Foot & Ankle Pain
Often, pain is associated with swelling of the foot. If you notice any of these signs, don’t hesitate to ask a podiatrist about it. You need to have it checked, especially if you are experiencing a numbing sensation. It’s also dangerous if the pain suddenly occurs even though you haven’t done any strenuous activity to get a foot injury.
Discoloured Toenails
If you happen to have a yellowish or dark greenish toenail, then you probably have fungal toenail infection. At first, it might seem like it’s not a major foot problem. It only feels itchy, but eventually, it may cause pain. It would be harder for you to walk while wearing closed shoes. If left untreated, then it might spread on the other toenails.
Slow to Heal Wounds
You might have some wounds on your feet that do not easily go away after religiously applying betadine, ointments and other topical creams. It can be a sign of diabetes. If you have diabetes then you have low blood flow in your feet. It is the reason why your wounds slowly heal. You may want to visit a podiatry centre in Singapore because they have medical specialists that can help you better manage your diabetic foot symptoms.
Foot Injuries
Last, but not the least, are the foot injuries. Even though you can apply a cold and hot compress to help minimise the swelling and inflammation of the injured area, it is still better to consult a podiatrist about it first. They will be able to pinpoint if there are any damaged nerves or bones due to the injury. If there are, then they can prescribe a long-term treatment plan for it.
What to Expect on Your First Visit?
First things first, they will have to ask you about your medical history. It is to better assess what are the underlying conditions that could have led to your foot problems. Most likely, they will ask you to fill in a form that contains all the background questions about health. It includes the current medications that you are taking, and if you have undergone any surgery.
After filling in the medical form, the podiatrist will do a physical examination of your feet. Only then they will recommend some treatment plans. Sometimes, they will ask you to wear foot orthotics if you have any foot abnormality. Basically, it is almost the same as visiting a regular doctor.
But, before you go, you have to do some necessary preparations first. Like for example, you should thoroughly clean your feet first before the examination. In this way, it would be easier for the podiatrist to examine your feet.
Visit a Podiatry Clinic in Singapore
If you have any foot problems that you may want to address, then visit our podiatry clinic in Singapore at East Coast Podiatry. Our podiatrists will prescribe an ideal treatment plan to help hasten your recovery.
