Why should one go to the podiatrist?
Undoubtedly the foot has been the great forgotten within the medical care panorama, proof of this is the absence of podiatrists within the NHS care framework. Fortunately this is changing and the population is increasingly aware of the importance of their feet to lead an active life, walk and even run, without having to go through the ordeal of pain, not only at the level of the foot, but reflected in ankles, knee, hip and even spine.
What are the most frequent reasons?
Among the most common complaints are ingrown toenails, helomas, plantar fasciitis, various tendinitis at the tibial, peroneal, goose foot, iliotibial band, pyramidal syndrome and low back pain.
The discomfort of the feet is determined by various factors, the force of gravity itself will cause repeated impacts of our feet on the ground, this effect will be increased with obesity. On the other hand, systemic diseases such as diabetes or venous insufficiency will also have a very aggressive impact on our feet, as they are the most distal anatomical elements of our body.
Athletes and many popular runners are aware of this, when they see that as a result of the start of this activity, apparently healthy, they begin to debut with a string of problems in the form of injury, largely associated with an anatomical error in the way they step.
What is the cause of foot discomfort?
We must distinguish between visits related to chiropody, which includes nail trimming, removal of corns and calluses, treatment of mycosis, papillomas, etc, of the biomechanical study of the locomotor system, what is popularly known as the study of the footprint, which is a clinical analysis of the patient’s morphology, both statically and dynamically, which will include the preparation of a report or medical history and subsequent orthotic treatment if necessary, through the development of custom templates.
The use of incorrect footwear, sandals, high heels and narrow toes, will be determinant for the appearance of bunions and claw toes, as well as discomfort in knees and lumbar spine.
Why are they so important?
The importance of our feet lies in their very nature, we are the only living being that has feet, therefore we can affirm that feet have been a fundamental piece in the process of humanization, not yet completed, and we continue to pay the consequences of walking on only two anatomical elements, which really means the miracle of walking in bipedalism.
How can we prevent these problems?
The prevention of pathological alterations, not only of our feet, but also of everything that is above them, goes through the strengthening of the same, since when we put on shoes from our earliest childhood, we are causing a weakening of their intrinsic and extrinsic musculature, therefore it is of great importance to walk on tiptoe, on our heels and outer edge of the foot.
It is also useful to exercise their mobility, simulating the letters of the alphabet, massage in an upward direction, the use of compression stockings and socks that minimize the effect of gravity, as well as the use of physiological footwear that respects the anatomy of our feet, with rounded toes, flexible, breathable and with a heel height that does not exceed 2 or 3 cm.
How often should you visit a podiatrist?
The visit to the podiatrist should be made in the presence of any alteration of the skin and nails, before and after the summer.
- In children as a rule from the age of 4 or 5 years, except severe alteration that will be observed and treated before walking and with periodic reviews every 6 months and annually from 8 or 10 years.
- In pregnant women by the mere fact of being pregnant.
- In elderly people due to the alterations acquired by aging itself.
- In athletes before the beginning of the activity and before the appearance of any type of alteration.