Podiatry is a section of medical science which is related to prevention, diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of disarray of the lower limit of the body, ankle or foot.
Orthotics provide remedial measures to realign lower limb arrangements to recover postural steadiness, reduce stress to certain joints and muscles and improve lower limb and foot function.
A sports podiatrist is particularly trained to recognize and treat biomechanical problems which may lead to reduced performance or injury to the sportsperson. He will assist the sportsperson to recover from the injury faster. A podiatrist expertise in foot related issues, these include, injuries to tendons, muscles, joints, ligaments, skin problems and nails. Skin problems such as, ingrown toenails, callus, fungal infections and blisters can effectively be treated by a podiatrist.
- Joint or muscle problems in the foot
If a person is suffering lower leg injury or foot problem then it is advisable that he should immediately get in touch with a podiatrist so that suitable treatment can start. He would advice his patient what to do and what not to do. The podiatrist will first understand the cause of the problem or the injury so that effective remedial measures could be taken. He will examine his patient by conducting X-rays, ultrasound and MRI to determine the diagnosis. He will examine his patient by making him or her run or walk. Video gait analysis is also performed to recognize any biomechanical problems. After that he will start his treatment.
- Skin and nail issues in the foot
A podiatrist provides cure for nail and skin problems. He uses germ-free instruments to remove hard skin and also advices his patients how to prevent such problems in future. Callus and corns are generally caused by foot irregularities. Ingrown nails, fungal infections and thick nails can easily be treated by a podiatrist. He uses medical methods to provide quick and painless solutions to determine the issue.
- Healing procedure
The podiatrist may use soft tissue treatment which includes massage, stretching to decrease pain and inflammation, and to enhance movement and suppleness to the leg, foot or the ankle. Another method is dry needling which is very like acupuncture. Dry needles are used to treat tendons and injured muscles. Superior quality germ-free needles are pierced into the skin. The needles are pierced in the trigger points to arouse a sensory response from the muscles. This causes release of the restriction, thus allowing the muscles to function normally.
The podiatrist improves the running technique by prescribing appropriate running shoes and will also prescribe training programs. He would advice his patient not to do excessive training programs so that lower limb can become flexible and gain strength. The patient should follow the advices of the podiatrist carefully to obtain better results.
