Generally, your feet are essential to support your entire body when you are moving or lifting loads. As a result, the weight of your upper body is usually exerted on your lower limbs when you are walking. However, most people forget that your legs also require care, just like cars require servicing. For this reason, you must care for your legs by regularly seeking podiatry services to help diagnose and manage common foot conditions affecting their performance. Therefore, if you are interested in seeking podiatry services offered by Dr. Erin Koprince, it would be best you start by understanding some of the conditions that might require you to consult a podiatrist. They are as follows:
Heel pain
The heel is usually the starting point of the Achilles tendon that attaches the muscle heel and the calf tendon. Therefore, the common causes of heel pain are over-stretching, over-exertion, and wearing poorly fitting shoes. Other causes of heel pain are plantar fasciitis, bursitis, heel spurs, Achilles tendonitis, and Severs disease. Pain from other parts of the body can also cause heel pain.
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar fascia refers to a tissue that runs beneath your feet and mainly connects your toes to the heel, thus forming the arch of your foot. When this tissue is strained or overstretched, you begin experiencing pain, and at times small tears might develop, causing pain and inflammation. Some people might experience pain in the morning, especially after getting out of bed or sitting for a while. The pain ranges from stabbing sensations to constant throbbing pain and might resolve independently, especially after walking around for a few minutes.
Bunions
Bunions usually form when the big toe is pushed inwards toward your second toe, thus misaligning the structure of your foot. As a result, a bony bump forms at the big toe joint, which protrudes outwards, causing pain and discomfort. Of importance to note is that bunions can limit your movement depending on the severity and formation of bunions. They can also cause other foot problems that prevent you from participating in normal activities like running and walking.
Athlete’s foot
In most cases, athlete foot is caused by tinea, a fungus you get from taking showers in public bathrooms, changing rooms floors, and swimming pools. You can also acquire the fungus from anywhere, which provides a moist and warm environment where the fungus thrives well. Therefore, if your foot is red, itchy, scaly, and dry, you might have an athlete’s foot and seek medical advice. You are advised to seek treatment because if left untreated, they might cause it to spread to the toenails and become hard to treat.
Ingrown toenails
It is a condition that occurs when the edge of your nail curves and grows into the skin surrounding your nail—as a result, causing inflammation and swelling, which, if left untreated, might cause an infection.
You can schedule your appointment at AIRE Podiatry Studio today, especially if you are experiencing any of the above conditions. Doing so ensures you receive early treatment before the condition worsens and starts affecting your quality of life by limiting your movement.
